transmission Lexus IS250 2006 Instrument cluster / LEXUS 2006 IS350/250 THROUGH APRIL 2006 PROD. (OM53508U) Owner's Guide

112
2-2. Instrument cluster
■Gear position display
(vehicles with an automatic transmission only)
Indicates the current gear , and the range of gears
that is available when the shift lever is in the S or D
position. the gear range is shown by the number of
dots ( ) and the current gear is shown as a number.
The transmission automatically selects the gears
within the driver selected gear range.
In the illustration to the left, a range of 6 available gears
(1 through 6) has been selected by the driver. (The shift
lever is in the D or S position with 6 ranges enabled) It is
possible for the transmission to automatically select
between all 6 of the gears. In this case, the transmission
has selected third gear.
■System check display
After switching the engine switch to IG -ON mode, CHECK is displayed while sys-
tem operation is checked. When the system check is complete, COMPLETED is
displayed before returning to the normal screen.
CAUTION
■The information display at low temperatures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm up before using the liquid crystal informa-
tion display. At extremely low temperatures, the information display monitor may
respond slowly, and display changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the driver's shifting and the new gear number
appearing on the display. This lag could ca use the driver to downshift again, causing
rapid and excessive engine braking and po ssibly an accident resulting in personal
death or injury.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in the D or 4,5, or 6 range of S. (vehicles with an automatic
transmission)
●Vehicle speed is between approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) and 125 mph
(200 km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.
■Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically cancelled in any of the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below the preset vehicle
speed
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below 25 mph (40km/h)
●VSC is activated
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Push the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control, or
depress the brake pedal.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied (automatic transmis-
sion) or the clutch is depressed
(manual transmission).
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.

139
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces or
in the event of sudden braking.
■BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■LSD (Limited Slip Differen tial) (if equipped)
Transfers drive power to the rear tires when the front tires spin, and vice
versa, in order to improve traction.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the rear wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Prevents the vehicle from rolling backwa rds when starting on an incline or
slippery slope.
■ EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.

142
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the engine OFF. The system should return to normal within
10 minutes.
CAUTION
Any of the following conditions may result in an accident which could cause death or
serious injury:
■The ABS does not operate effectively when
●The limits of tire gripping performance have been exceeded.
●The vehicle hydroplanes while driving at high speed on the wet or slick road.
■Stopping distance when the ABS is operating will exceed that of normal condi-
tions
The ABS is not designed to shorten the vehicle’s stopping dist ance. Always main-
tain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in the following situations.
●When driving on dirt, gravel or snow-covered roads
●When driving with tire chains
●When driving over bumps in the road
●When driving over roads with potholes or roads with uneven roads
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be ac hievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■If hill-start assist control does not operate effectively
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
The hill-start assist control may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads
covered in ice.

152
2-5. Driving information
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a w indow or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumu lated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumul ated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
■ When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P (automatic transmis-
sion) or R (manual transmission) without setting the parking brake.
The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released.

157
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.

158
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing. Shift the shift lever to neutral.
Switch to ACC mode. ( P. 8 9 )
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned OFF.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driv-
ing the vehicle.
■Necessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Contact
the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recommended
equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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3-5. Other interior features
Seat heaters (if equipped)
■The seat heaters can be used when
The engine switch is in IG-ON mode.
■When not in use
Set the dial to 0. The indicator light turns off.
Heats the seats
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number, the
warmer the seats become.
Vehicles with an automatic transmissionHeats the seats
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number, the
warmer the seats become.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
Driver’s
seatFront
passenger’s
seat
Driver’s
seat Front
passenger’s
seat

222
3-5. Other interior features
Seat heaters and ventilators (if equipped)
■The seat heaters and ventilators can be used when
The engine switch is in IG-ON mode.
■When not in use
Set the dial to 0. The indicator light turns off.
The seat heaters and ventilators heat the seats and maintain good airflow
by blowing air from the seats.
Heats the seats
The indicator light (red) comes
on.
The higher the number, the
warmer the seats become.
Blows air from the seats
The indicator light (green)
comes on.
The higher the number, the
stronger the airflow becomes.
Heats the seats
The indicator light (red) comes
on.
The higher the number, the
warmer the seats become.
Blows air from the seats
The indicator light (green)
comes on.
The higher the number, the
stronger the airflow becomes.
Driver’s
seat Front
passenger’s
seat
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission
Driver’s
seat Front
passenger’s
seat
Vehicles with a manual trans-
mission

252
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be hold securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? ( P. 3 0 9 )
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?