engine LEXUS LS430 2006 Owner's Guide

111
2-3. Operating the headlight and windshield wipers
2
When driving
Daytime running light system
The headlights turn on automatically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the
engine is started and the parking brake is released to make your vehicle
more visible to other drivers. Dayt ime running lights are not designed for
use at night.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
The headlights turn off automatically if the engine is stopped and the driver’s door is
opened wh

ile the headlights are turned on.
To turn the headlights on again, turn the key to ON, or turn the light switch off once
and then
back to or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system
The level of the headlights is
automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere other road users.
■Customization
The time it takes for the headlights to automatically turn on or off can be changed.
(  P.384 )
The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield. 
Doing so interferes with the sensor detect-
ing the level of ambient light and may cause
the automatic headlight system malfunc-
tion.

112
2-3. Operating the headlight and windshield wipers
Adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
To improve road illumination when turning, the right side headlight moves right
on right turns, and the left side headlight moves left on left turns.
Adaptive front lighting system
cancel switch
On
Off
When the system is canceled,
the “

AFS OFF” indicator lights
up in the instrument cluster.
1
2
3
■Operating conditions
The system starts to operate when the v
ehicle’s speed increases above 6 mph (10
km/h), and stops when the vehicles speed drops below 6 mph (10 km/h).
■When the “AFS OFF” indicator light flashes,
This indicates a system failure. Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

120
2-4. Using other driving systems
■Detection range
■Objects or situations which may result in mistaken obstacle detection
●When you stop your vehicle in extreme hot or cold weather.
●Foreign matter such as snowflakes or mud gets on the sensor.
●Road bumps, gravel or glass if driving on such surfaces.
●Devices issuing ultrasonic waves such as another vehicle’s horn, motorcycle’s
engine, the air braking sound from heavy-duty vehicles, if such a devices are
operated around your vehicle.
●Rain or water splashing over the sensor.
●The ground, if the vehicle is on non-level ground
●A radio antenna, towing eyelet, towing hitch or fender pole, if mounted.
●Mud, ice or snow on the sensor.
●High curbs.
About 3 ft. (1 m)
About 1.5 ft (50 cm)1
2

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 )

149
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate for the
prevailing weather and roadway conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids appropriate to the p revailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Inspect the level and specific gravity of battery electrolyte.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four sno w tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same si
ze and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■ Befor
e driving the vehicle
Perform the following steps acco r
ding to the driving conditions.
●Do not forcibly try to open a window or move a wiper that has fro-
zen. Pour some warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. 
Wipe away the water immediately to pr
event it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front
of the windshield.
●Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
●Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may
accumulate in the wheel well or brakes.

154
2-5. Driving information
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P.283 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom -
mendation.
●All trailer lights must work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
p

ower train components (engine, transmissi on, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (see “Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Scheduled Mainte -
nance”)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.

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 ).

158
2-5. Driving information
• Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in “P”. Avoi d parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the v
ehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, r
elease the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
• When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the “P” position, star
t the engine. Be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into “3”, “2”, “1”, or the “R” position (if r
eversing).
Release the parking brake and br ak
e pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. 
Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.

169
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
■Notes regarding outside temperature display
If it is extremely hot or cold outside the vehicle, the outside temperature displayed
may not be accurate.
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield fogging up
Do not use during cooled air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outsi
de air and that of the windshield
could cause the outer surface of the windsh ield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the automatic climate control on longer than necessary when the
engine is

stopped.

175
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
■Using cellular phones
Interference may be heard through the audio system’s speakers if a cellular phone is
be
ing used inside or close to the vehi cle while the audio system is operating.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the audio system on longer than necessary with the engine off.
■To avoid damaging the audio system
Be careful not to spill drinks or other fluids inside the vehicle.