steering wheel LEXUS LS430 2006 User Guide

90
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■While driving the vehicle
●Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may skid or spin when
downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, seat, or mirror while driving.
Doing so may result in losing control of th
e vehicle and cause an accident, which
may cause death or serious injury.
●Always check that passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are not
outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
■When shifting the selector lever
Use caution if accelerating while shifting. 
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
ac
cident.
■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
che
ck that exhaust fumes do no t 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.

93
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■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 pump.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
■If you hear a squealing or scraping no ise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
Exp
ensive rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
■If a malfunction is detected while driving
A flat or damaged tire may c
ause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brak e 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.
3 4 7 )

95
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■If the engine does not start
Check whether the other keys will start the engine.
If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexus dealer.
■Starting the engine using the flat key (Smart access)
■ Steering lock release
When starting the engine, the igni -
tion switch may seem stuck in the
“L
OCK” position. To free it, per -
form the following:
Smart access
Push and hold the ignition
s
witch (do not try to turn the
ignition switch), then rock the
steering wheel until it releases.
Standard
Turn the key while turning the
steering wheel slightly in either
dir

ection.
Remove the flat key from its case.
Insert the flat key into the igni-
tions switch.
Start the engine within 10 sec-
onds after the indicator light goes
off.

140
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driver assist systems
When VSC or TRAC is operating
If the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping or the rear wheels spin, the
slip indicator ligh t flash to indicate
that the s

ystems have been
engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds
when VSC is operating.
To help enhance improve vehicle safety, the following systems operate auto-
matically in certain driving conditions.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Help ensure steering performance in th e event of sudden braking or driving
on slippery road surfaces.
■ BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
pushed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding wh en swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Helps maintain drive power and prevents spinning the rear wheels when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Pre-collision system (if equipped)
( P. 1 4 3 )

141
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
To disable VSC and TRAC
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud, VSC and TRAC may
reduce power from the engine to the wheels. You may need to turn VSC
and TRAC off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free the vehi-
cle.
Push the button to turn off VSC
and TRAC.
The TRAC OFF indicator light
turns on.
Push the button again to turn the
sy
stem back on.
1
■Operating sounds and vibrations caus ed by the ABS, VSC & TRAC systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the ABS, VSC and TRAC sys -
tems are operating. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• A sound may be heard.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly while the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move forward slightly after the ABS is activated.
■Failure warning for VSC or TRAC system
If an error in the VSC or TRAC systems is
detected, the master warning light and
TRAC OFF indicator light comes on, a warning tone sounds. (P.334 )

156
2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
• Before starting out, check the tra iler
’s lights and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
• Practice turning, stopping and reversi ng with the tr
ailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
• Reversing with a trailer attached is dif
ficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move yo ur hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (This is gene rally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone
guide you when reversing to redu ce the risk of an accident.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
●Do not use axle-mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
sta

te/provincial requlations.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Direct splicing may damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunc -
tion.

157
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
• As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
• Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, r
esulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
• Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
• Avoid jerky steering and sharp turn s, and slo
w down before making a
turn.
• Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
v
ehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
• Crosswinds and rough roads will ad v
ersely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Peri odically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If s
waying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehi cle and trailer will stabilize.
• Take care when passing other vehicl es. P
assing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
• In order to maintain efficient engine br
aking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in “4”, in the “S” mode.
• Due to the added load of the traile r
, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See “If your vehicle
overheats” ( P.359 ).

195
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
Using the steering switches
Turning on the power and selecting audio modes
■Pow e r
Push when the audio system is turned OFF.
■ Cha
nging modes
Push when the audio system is turned ON. Pushing the button
changes the audio mode in the following order: AM, FM, cassette
deck (CD changer).
Some audio features can be controlled using the switches on the steering
wheel.
Vo l u m e
Stores the 
volume setting
Power on, change modes
Radio: Station selection
Cassette tape: Fast forward and rewind
CD: Selects the track or disc

197
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
Selecting a CD track or CD
■Selecting a track.
Push
to select the CD mode.
Push or to select the desired track.
■ Selecting a CD
.
Push to select the CD mode.
Press and hold or until you hear a beep.
Push or to select the desired CD.
■Canceling
To cancel automatic selection of a radio station, push the same button.
CAUTION
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.

253
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly
(without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• Can hold the vehicle securely on a incline with the selector 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.311)
Pa r k i n g b r a ke• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on a incline?
Seat belts• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• The seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
•No strange noise?