tow Lexus ES350 2009 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks, mir-
rors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other interior
features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-your-
self maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat tire,
or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
3
2-2. Instrument clusterGauges and meters ..................... 125
Indicators and warning lights .... 127
Multi-information display............. 131
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................ 135
Fog light switch .............................. 138
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 139
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................................ 143
Dynamic radar cruise control............................................. 146
Intuitive parking assist ................. 155
Driving assist systems.................... 161
PCS (Pre-Collision System)..... 164
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ...................... 168
Vehicle load limits ........................... 171
Winter driving tips ......................... 172
Trailer towing .................................. 178
Dinghy towing ................................ 185 3-1. Using the air conditioning
system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ............................................. 188
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers ............. 195
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type ........................ 196
Using the radio............................... 198
Using the CD player.................. 205
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs..................................... 211
Optimal use of the audio system ............................................. 219
Using the AUX adapter............ 222
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............................ 223
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system (for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system features (for cellular phone) ................... 225
Using the hands-free phone system (for cellular phone) ... 228
Making a phone call.................... 236
Setting a cellular phone............. 240
Security and system setup........ 244
Using the phone book................ 247
3Interior features

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
5
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers..................... 364
If your vehicle needs to be towed.............................................. 365
If you think something is wrong .............................................. 371
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 372
Event data recorder.................... 373
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds... ...... 375
If a warning message is displayed...................................... 386
If you have a flat tire..................... 397
If the engine will not start .......... 407
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................. 409
If you lose your keys ..................... 410
If the electronic key does not operate properly .......................... 411
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................... 413
If your vehicle overheats ............ 416
If the vehicle becomes stuck .... 419 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)..................... 422
Fuel information............................ 432
Tire information ............................ 435
6-2. Customization Customizable features .............. 447
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ........................... 452
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 454
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 455
Abbreviation list ................................... 458
Alphabetical index............................... 460
What to do if... ....................................... 470
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

26
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Operation signals
Doors: A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors
have been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
Trunk: A buzzer sounds to indicate that the trunk has been unlocked.
Windows and standard moon roof: A buzzer sounds to indicate that the windows
and standard moon roof are operating.
■Door lock buzzer
If a door is not fully closed, a buzzer sounds for 10 seconds if an attempt to lock the
door is made. Fully close the door to stop the buzzer, and lock the vehicle once
more.
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart access system with push-button start uses weak radio waves. In the fol-
lowing situations, the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle
may be affected, preventing the smart access system with push-button start and
wireless remote control from operating properly:
(Ways of coping: →P. 4 1 1 )
●When the electronic key battery is depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display,
airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wire-
less communication devices
●When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following metal-
lic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity

49
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Head restraints
■Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■Adjusting the rear seat head restraints
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when using.
CAUTION
■Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to do so
may result in death or serious injury.
●Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
●Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
●Do not drive with the head restraints removed.
Vertical adjustment
Push and hold the lock release
button when lowering the head
restraint.
Removal
Pull the head restraint up while
pushing the lock release button.
Lock
release
button
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

56
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Steering wheel
Auto tilt awayWhen the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is turned OFF, the
steering wheel returns to its
stowed position by moving up and
away to enable easier driver entry
and exit.
Turning the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch to ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode will return
the steering wheel to the original
position.
The steering wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable position while the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON
mode.
Up
Down
Away from the driver
Toward the driver
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.

83
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedalscomfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many driv- ers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the
way forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining
the back of your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a
firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

85
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean
against the dashboard.
●Do not allow a child to stand in front of the
SRS front passenger airbag unit or sit on
the knees of a front passenger.
●Do not drive the vehicle while the driver or
passenger have items resting on their
knees.
●Do not lean against the door, the roof side
rail or the front, side and rear pillars.
●Do not allow anyone to kneel on the pas-
senger seat toward the door or put their
head or hands outside the vehicle.

When driving2
107
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle................. 108
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 116
Automatic Transmission ......... 119
Turn signal lever ....................... 122
Parking brake ........................... 123
Horn ............................................ 124
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 125
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 127
Multi-information display ...... 131
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 135
Fog light switch ........................ 138
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 139 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.......................... 143
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 146
Intuitive parking assist ........... 155
Driving assist systems .............. 161
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ................................... 164
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 168
Vehicle load limits ..................... 171
Winter driving tips ................... 172
Trailer towing ........................... 178
Dinghy towing.......................... 185

135
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push the
lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you to turn
on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the head-
lights on or off.
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
The side marker, parking,
tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights
turn on.
The headlights and all
lights listed above turn
on.
The headlights and park-
ing lights turn on and off
automatically.
(When the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch is
in IGNITION ON
mode)
USACanada