power steering Lexus IS250 2009 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
2
1-1. Key informationKeys ...................................................... 20
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
Smart access system with push-button start .......................... 24
Wireless remote control .............. 36
Doors.................................................... 39
Trunk..................................................... 43
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats .......................................... 46
Driving position memory (driver’s seat) ................................. 48
Seat position memory (front passenger’s seat) ............. 52
Head restraints................................. 54
Seat belts ............................................ 56
Steering wheel (manually adjustable type)............................. 62
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type) ............ 63
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror ................................................ 65
Outside rear view mirrors ........... 66 1-4. Opening and closing the
windows and moon roof
Power windows................................ 69
Moon roof ............................................ 71
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap........... 74
1-6. Theft deterrent system Engine immobilizer system ......... 77
Alarm.................................................... 79
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.) .............................................. 81
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ............... 82
SRS airbags ....................................... 84
Front passenger occupant classification system .................... 95
Child restraint systems ............... 100
Installing child restraints ............. 104
2-1. Driving procedures Driving the vehicle .......................... 116
Engine (ignition) switch .............. 126
Automatic transmission................ 131
1Before driving
2When driving

Before driving1
19
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
1-1. Key informationKeys .............................................. 20
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and
trunk
Smart access system with push-button start .................... 24
Wireless remote control ......... 36
Doors ............................................ 39
Trunk ............................................. 43
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors,
steering wheel)
Front seats ................................... 46
Driving position memory (driver’s seat) .......................... 48
Seat position memory (front passenger’s seat) ........ 52
Head restraints .......................... 54
Seat belts ..................................... 56
Steering wheel (manually adjustable type) ...................... 62
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type) ....... 63 Anti-glare inside rear view
mirror......................................... 65
Outside rear view mirrors...... 66
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and moon roof
Power windows .......................... 69
Moon roof .................................... 71
1-5. Refueling Opening the fuel tank cap ...... 74
1-6. Theft deterrent system Engine immobilizer system ........................................ 77
Alarm............................................ 79
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)....................................... 81
1-7. Safety information Correct driving posture ......... 82
SRS airbags ................................ 84
Front passenger occupant classification system.............. 95
Child restraint systems ......... 100
Installing child restraints....... 104

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1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type)
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.
Switching 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.
Up
Down
Away from the driver
Toward the driver

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1-7. Safety information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)In certain types of severe frontal or side impacts, the SRS airbag system
triggers the airbag inflators. A chem
ical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the motion of the occu-
pants.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensors,
side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, driver's seat position sensor, driver's seat belt buckle switch, seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
( → P. 3 8 4 )
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating)
SRS airbag.
●A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel, airbag cover and inflator) as well as
the front seats, and parts of the front pillar, rear pillar and roof side rail, may be
hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
●The windshield may crack.
■SRS airbag deployment conditions (front airbags)
●The front SRS airbags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds the
set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to a 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30
km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall that does not move or deform).
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, which can move or deform on
impact, or if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision (e.g. a collision in
which the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
●It is possible that in some collisions where the forward deceleration of the vehi-
cle is very close to the designed threshold level, the SRS front airbags and the
seat belt pretensioners may not activate together.
●The SRS front passenger airbag will not activate if there is no passenger sitting
in the front passenger seat. However, the front passenger airbag may deploy if
luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is fastened, even if the seat is unoccu-
pied. ( →P. 9 5 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster system 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. 1 3 2 )
●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 the vehicle off-road.
This is not a AWD vehicle designed for real off-road driving. Proceed with all due
caution if it becomes unavoidable to drive off-road.
●Do not drive across river crossings or through other bodies of water.
This may cause electric/electronic components to short circuit, damage the
engine or cause other serious damage to the vehicle.
●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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicleWith automatic transmission vehicles
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress accelerator and brake pedals
together to hold the vehicle on a hill.With manual transmission vehicles
●Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
●Do not use any gears other than the first gear when starting off and moving for-
ward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
●Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill grade.
■When parking the vehicle
With automatic transmission vehicles, always put the shift lever in P. Failure to do so
may cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accel-
erator pedal is accidentally depressed.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a long
time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
NOTICE
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you
also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. (

P. 406)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer (AWD vehicles), differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD vehicles), bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (

P. 7 7 )
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than an hour with the shift lever
in P (vehicles with an automatic transmission), the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
will automatically turn OFF.
■Electronic key battery depletion

P. 3 0
■When the electronic key battery is fully discharged

P. 3 4 5
■Conditions affecting operation

P. 2 8
■Note for the entry function

P. 3 1The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indica-
tor will flash in green and a message will be
shown on the multi-information display. Press
the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again
while turning the steering wheel left and right.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■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 (2WD models) or all
wheels (AWD models) from spinning wh en starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards 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.

Interior features3
209
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system
and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system............. 210
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ............................... 218
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type................... 219
Using the radio........................ 222
Using the CD player ............. 229
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs............................ 235
Optimal use of the audio system ...................................... 241
Using the AUX adapter ....... 244
Using the steering wheel audio switches ...................... 245
3-3. Using the interior lights Interior lights list ..................... 247
• Interior lights ........................ 249
• Personal lights ...................... 249 3-4. Using the storage
features
List of storage features.......... 251
• Glove box ................................ 251
• Console boxes ......................252
• Overhead console...............253
• Cup holders ...........................254
• Bottle holders/ door pockets ......................... 256
3-5. Other interior features Sun visors ................................. 257
Vanity mirror ........................... 258
Clock ......................................... 259
Satellite switches ................... 260
Ashtrays.................................... 263
Cigarette lighter .................... 264
Power outlet ............................ 265
Seat heaters ............................ 266
Seat heaters and ventilators ............................. 269
Armrest .................................... 272
Rear sunshade ........................ 273
Trunk storage extension ....... 275
Coat hooks ............................... 276
Floor mat ................................... 277
Trunk features ......................... 278
Garage door opener ............. 281
Compass .................................. 287