warning Lexus ES350 2012 User Guide

100
1-7. Safety information
ES350_U
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classification system
■Adult*1
■Child *3 or child restraint system*4
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lights“A I R B A G ON”
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Activated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seatsCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbag
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lights“A I R B A G OFF”*5
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seatsCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger sideActivated
Front passenger knee airbag Deactivated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Activated

101
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U■
Unoccupied
■ There is a malfunction in the system
*
1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/
her as a child depending on his/her physique and posture.
*
2: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.
*
3: When a larger child who has outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an
adult depending on his/her physique or posture.
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lights Not illuminated
SRS warning light
Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seats
Curtain shield airbag in the front passenger sideActivated
Front passenger knee airbag Deactivated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lightsAIR BAG OFF
SRS warning light On
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Off
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seats
Curtain shield airbag in the front passenger sideActivated
Front passenger knee airbag Deactivated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Activated

103
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●Do not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear seat. This
may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated, which indicates
that the passenger’s airbags will not deploy in the event of a severe accident. If the
seatback touches the rear seat, return the seatback to a position where it does
not touch the rear seat. Keep the front passenger seatback as upright as possible
when the vehicle is moving. Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the
effectiveness of the seat belt system.
●If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 1 0 8 )
●Do not modify or remove the front seats.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.
●Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
●Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

When driving2
119
ES350_U
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 120
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 128
Automatic Transmission ........ 132
Turn signal lever ....................... 135
Parking brake ........................... 136
Horn ............................................ 137
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 138
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 140
Multi-information display ..... 144 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ..................... 149
Fog light switch ........................ 154
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 156
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.......................... 160
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 164
Intuitive parking assist ............ 176
Driving assist systems ............ 182
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ....... 187
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 192
Vehicle load limits ................... 195
Winter driving tips .................. 196
Trailer towing .......................... 202
Dinghy towing......................... 203

134
2-1. Driving procedures
ES350_U
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control system or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 160, 164)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 7 2
■If the indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
mode driving position
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same as manner as when the
shift lever is in D.)
■S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S mode driving position cancels the function.)
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This does
not indicate a malfunction.

140
2-2. Instrument cluster
ES350_U
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and the tachometer gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.

143
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS airbag warning lights not
come on when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems are not
available to help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or serious
injury. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
■Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions or suspected prob-
lem in any of the vehicle’s systems. ( →P. 4 3 9 )
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned
to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a few sec-
onds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not come on,
or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
(USA)(Canada)(USA)(Canada)
(USA)(Canada)(if equipped)(without
navigation system)(with naviga-
tion system)
******
*****

144
2-2. Instrument cluster
ES350_U
Multi-information display
The multi-information display presents the driver with a variety of driving-
related data, including the current outside air temperature.
●Trip information ( →P. 145)
Displays driving range, fuel con-
sumption and other cruising
related information.
●Intuitive parking assist dis-
play (if equipped)
(→P. 1 76 )
Automatically displayed when
using intuitive parking assist.
●Dynamic radar cruise con-
trol display (if equipped)
(→P. 1 6 4 )
Automatically displayed when
using dynamic radar cruise con-
trol.
●Warning messages
(→P. 4 4 9 )
Automatically displayed when a
malfunction occurs in one of the
vehicle’s systems.

168
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up
to approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current vehicle-
to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suitable follow-
ing distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you, the system automatically
decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle speed is nec-
essary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone warns you when the
system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from closing in
on the vehicle ahead.

169
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_UExample of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration
When there are no longer any vehicles ahead driving slower than the
set speed
The system accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then
returns to constant speed cruising.
Approach warning
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient auto-
matic deceleration via the cruise control is not possible, the display will
flash and the buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An example of this
would be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are following a
vehicle. Apply the brakes to ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance.
■ Warnings may not occur when
In the following instances, there is a possibility that the warnings will not
occur:
●When the speed of the vehicle ahead matches or exceeds your
vehicle speed
● When the vehicle ahead is traveling at an extremely slow speed
● Immediately after the cruise control speed was set
● At the instant the accelerator is applied