light Lexus IS F 2008 Do-It-Yourself Maintenance /

95
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
●Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the
force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or seri-
ous injury to the child if the rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the
front passenger seat.
●A forward-facing child restraint system shou ld allowed to be installed on the front
passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as
possible even if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated, because the
front passenger airbag could inflate with considerable speed and force. Other-
wise, the child may be killed or seriously injured.
●Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of collision.
●Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front pillar, rear pillar or roof side rail from which the
side airbags or curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in the child
restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield airbags
inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make sure you have complied with all inst allation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the sy stem is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or seri ous injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop or accident.
■When the child restraint system is not in use
●Keep the child restraint system properly secu red on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the restraint unsecured in the passenger compartment.
●If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the trunk. This will prevent it from injuring passengers in the
event of a sudden stop or accident.

97
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Installing child restraints using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)
■Rear facing Infant seat/convertible seat
Place the child seat on the rear
seat facing the rear of the vehicle.
Run the seat belt through the child
seat and insert the plate into the
buckle. Make sure that the belt is
not twisted.
Fully extend the shoulder belt and
then allow it to retract slightly in
order to activate the ALR lock
mode.
Lock mode allows the seat belt to
retract only.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

98
1-7. Safety information
While pushing the child seat down
into the rear seat, allow the shoul-
der belt to retract until the child
seat is securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
■Forward facing Convertible seat
Place the child seat on the seat
facing the front of the vehicle.
Run the seat belt through the child
seat and insert the plate into the
buckle. Make sure that the belt is
not twisted.
Fully extend the shoulder strap and
then allow it to retract slightly into
the ALR lock mode.
Lock mode allows the seat belt to
retract only.
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

100
1-7. Safety information
Removing a child restraint installed with a seat beltPush the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.
Installation with child restraint lower anchoragesType A
Widen the gap between
the seat cushion and seat-
back slightly.
Latch the hooks onto the
anchors.
If the child restraint has a top
strap, the top strap should be
latched onto the anchorages.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
Canada only
STEP1
STEP2

101
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Type BWiden the gap between
the seat cushion and seat-
back slightly.
Latch the buckles onto the
anchors.
If the child restraint has a top
strap, the top strap should be
latched onto the anchorages.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
Child restraint systems with a top strap
Secure the child restraint using a
seat belt or the lower anchors, and
lock the head restraint in place at
the lowest position.
Canada only
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1

103
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system installation manual and fix
the child restraint system securely in place.
If the child restraint system is not correctl y fixed in place, the child may be injured or
even killed in the event of sudden braking or an accident.
●When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is posi-
tioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away
from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder. Failing to
do so may result in death or serious inju ry in the event of an accident or sudden
braking.
●Ensure that the belt and tab are securely locked and the seat belt is not twisted.
●Push and pull the child restraint system in different directions to be sure it is
secure.
●Follow all installation instructions provid ed by the child restraint system manufac-
turer.
●If the driver’s seat interferes with the child
restraint system and prevents it from being
attached correctly, attach the child restraint
system to the right-hand rear seat.
●Only put a forward facing or booster child
seat on the front seat when unavoidable.
When installing a forward facing or
booster child seat on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible
even if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is
illuminated. Failing to do so may result in
death or serious injury if the airbags deploy
(inflate).

When driving2
105
2-1. Driving procedures ....... 106Driving the vehicle.................. 106
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 114
Automatic transmission ......... 118
Turn signal lever ....................... 126
Parking brake ........................... 127
2-2. Instrument cluster .......... 128 Gauges and meters ................ 128
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 132
Multi-information display ..... 135
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers......... 139
Headlight switch...................... 139
Fog light switch ........................ 142
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 143
Headlight cleaner switch...... 146 2-4. Using other driving
systems .......................... 147
Cruise control........................... 147
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 150
Intuitive parking assist ........... 160
Driving assist systems ............ 166
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ....... 173
2-5. Driving information........ 176 Cargo and luggage ................. 176
Vehicle load limits .................... 179
Winter driving tips .................. 180
Trailer towing ........................... 182
Dinghy towing .......................... 183

108
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting off
To prevent the vehicle from creeping forward, keep the brake pedal firmly
depressed when shifting the shift lever.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may le ad to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your bo dy around, leading to a difficulty in
operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering perfor-
mance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the trunk is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver
drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the sh ift lever to P, R or N while the vehicle
is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and may result
in a loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to an
accident.

109
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if the
engine is not running.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (P. 120, 122)
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehi cle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
or down-shifting, may cause the vehicl e to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on on ly one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be af fected, resulting in an accident.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.

110
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the engine is running to prevent an
accident caused by the vehicle moving.
●To prevent the vehicle from moving an d causing an accident, apply the brake
pedal or parking brake when stopping the vehicle on a hill.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarett e lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following.
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of
the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical com-
ponents.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine and lock
the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattend ed while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes or rear bumper exhaust diffusers while the engine
is running or immediately af ter turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it is
snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is running,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi cle. This may lead to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.