Tow Lexus ES350 2012 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ES350_U
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.
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt and
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
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
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ............................................ 206
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ...................................... 213
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type ........................ 214
Using the radio................................ 217
Using the CD player................... 224
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs................................... 231
Operating an iPod....................... 238
Operating a USB memory....... 245
Optimal use of the audio system ............................................ 254
Using the AUX port ................... 256
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............................ 257
2When driving
3Interior features

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
ES350_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior.................. 358
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ..................... 361
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..... 364
General maintenance ................ 366
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ...................................... 369
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................................. 370
Hood.................................................. 374
Positioning a floor jack............... 375
Engine compartment.................. 377
Tires .................................................. 390
Tire inflation pressure................. 399
Wheels............................................. 403
Air conditioning filter................. 405
Electronic key battery ................ 407
Checking and replacing fuses ............................................... 409
Headlight aim ................................. 418
Light bulbs ....................................... 420 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ................... 430
If your vehicle needs to be towed .............................................. 431
If you think something is wrong ............................................. 437
Fuel pump shut off system ....... 438
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................................ 439
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 449
If you have a flat tire...................... 461
If the engine will not start .......... 470
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P .............................. 472
If you lose your keys .................... 473
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............... 474
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................... 477
If your vehicle overheats .......... 480
If the vehicle becomes stuck............................................... 483
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ...... 484
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

32
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
ES350_U
■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 74 )
●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, mobile 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

58
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
ES350_U
■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.
●After adjusting the head restraints, push down on them and make sure they are
locked in position.
●Do not drive with the head restraints removed.
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

65
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
ES350_U
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.
Tu r n i n g t h e “ E N G I N E S T A R T
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.

94
1-7. Safety information
ES350_U
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.

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1-7. Safety information
ES350_U
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
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.