height LEXUS RX270 2014 User Guide

256
2-4. Using other driving systems
RX350/270_EE
Electronically modulated air suspension∗
The electronically modulated air suspension allows the driver to control
vehicle height in order to adjust driving conditions.
Select the desired height with the height selector switch.
Multi-information display
Electronically modulated air
suspension indicator
Height control off switch
Height selector switch
(driver’s side instrument
panel)
Height selector switch (lug-
gage compartment)
∗: If equipped
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
Selecting vehicle height
■Height modes
●“HI” mode: For driving on bumpy roads
30 mm (1.2 in.) higher than the normal height
“HI” mode cannot be selected when vehicle speed exceeds 30 km/h (19
mph).
●“N” mode: For ordinary driving
Normal height
●“LO” mode: For sporty driving
Vehicle front: 20 mm (0.8 in.) lower than the normal height
Vehicle rear: 5 mm (0.2 in.) lower than the normal height
●Luggage mode: For easy entry/exit and easy luggage loading/
unloading
30 mm (1.2 in.) lower than the normal height
■Height selector switch
Press the height selector switch for approximately 1 second.
Driver’s side instrument panel
Higher
Pressing this switch while the vehi-
cle is in luggage mode changes the
vehicle height to that of “N” mode.
Lower
Pressing this switch while the vehi-
cle is in “LO” mode changes the
vehicle height to that of luggage
mode.
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258
2-4. Using other driving systems
RX350/270_EELuggage compartment
Higher
Pressing this switch while the vehi-
cle is in luggage mode changes the
vehicle height to that of “N” mode.
Lower
Pressing this switch while the vehi-
cle is in “N” mode changes the
vehicle height to that of luggage
mode, not “LO” mode.
■Electronically modulated air suspension indicator
The indicator for the selected
mode will come on.
The indicator will flash while the
vehicle height is being changed to
the height of the selected mode.
Disabling the height control
Press the height control off switch
while the vehicle is stopped. A
message will appear on the multi-
information display, and vehicle
height will be fixed in the current
mode.
When vehicle speed exceeds 30
km/h (19 mph), the electronically
modulated air suspension is re-
enabled automatically.
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259
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
■Operating conditions
After stopping the engine, the vehicle will remain lowered for a maximum of 60
seconds.
●Height selector switch (driver's side instrument panel)
• While the engine is running, any vehicle height mode can be selected.
• Luggage mode can only be selected when the shift lever is in P position.
●Height selector switch (luggage compartment)
• When the engine is running and the shift lever is in the P position, any vehicle
height other than “LO” mode can be selected.
• When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned off, the vehicle height
can only be lowered (only the “∨” side of the switch can be operated).
This switch can only be operated when the back door is open.
●Height control off switch
When the vehicle is stopped with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNI-
TION ON mode, vehicle height control can be disabled/re-enabled.
■When changing vehicle height modes
Before operating the height selector switch to raise/lower the vehicle height,
ensure that there are no objects in the surrounding area that could damage the
vehicle.
■When “N” mode is selected
During high speed driving, the vehicle height will automatically change to that of
“LO” mode.
■When “HI” mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to that of “N” mode when vehicle speed reaches 50
km/h (31 mph) or when vehicle speed has exceeded 30 km/h (19 mph) for approx-
imately 10 seconds. Even if vehicle speed is reduced below 30 km/h (19 mph), the
vehicle height will not automatically return to “HI” mode.
■When “LO” mode is selected
The vehicle height will change to that of “N” mode when the engine is restarted.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
RX350/270_EE
■When luggage mode is selected
If the vehicle begins to move while still in luggage mode, the vehicle will automati-
cally change to “N” mode once speed exceeds 8 km/h (5 mph). Even if vehicle
speed is reduced below 8 km/h (5 mph), the vehicle height will not automatically
return to luggage mode.
■Operating sound of the air suspension
When the vehicle height is lowered, such as when entering and loading the vehicle,
or when the height selector switch is operated, the sound of the compressor oper-
ating or the mode changing may be heard. This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants and the luggage load, vehicle height in any
mode is always adjusted to a fixed height by the automatic leveling function.
■Vehicle height mode change time
●If the height control is operated continuously to lower the vehicle, the suspen-
sion air tank may become full, causing operation of the vehicle height lowering
control to become slow.
●To protect the compressor, the system will only raise the vehicle for a total of
100 consecutive seconds. If it takes longer than this to reach the selected
height, operation may be suspended shortly and then restart. However, it may
not be possible to change the vehicle's height mode at this time.
■The electronically modulated air suspension will not operate when
The vehicle height control may not be able to change modes when the vehicle runs
over a high curb or other rugged surfaces where the suspension is stretched.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■The electronically modulated air suspension must be turned off when
The electronically modulated air suspension must be turned off in the following situ-
ations as vehicle height may change due to the automatic leveling function, and, you
may catch part of your body in the vehicle and cause an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
●Any of the wheels is stuck in a ditch.
●It is necessary to jack up the vehicle.
●It is necessary to tow the vehicle with part of it lifted.
●When connecting/disconnecting a trailer
For safety, stop the engine if necessary.
■“HI” mode
●“HI” mode should only be used when driving on rough roads, for example when
driving off-road. Because the vehicle's center of gravity will become higher when
in the mode, the vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly and cause
an accident, resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not select “HI” mode when loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier.
Because the vehicle's center of gravity will become higher when in the mode, the
vehicle may become unstable when turning abruptly, and cause an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
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262
2-4. Using other driving systems
RX350/270_EE
NOTICE
■Do not select “LO” mode when driving on bumpy roads.
If the underbody of the vehicle touches a rugged road surface, the vehicle may be
damaged. Also be careful when driving while the vehicle is automatically returning
from luggage or “LO” mode to “N” mode.
■Automatic return to “N” mode
In the following situations, the height of the vehicle will automatically increase. Be
careful in any place where overhead space is limited.
●The vehicle begins to move while still in luggage mode.
●The engine is restarted while the vehicle is in “LO” mode.
■Vehicle height while parked
If the temperature changes or the vehicle is parked for a long time, the vehicle
height may decrease.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
■Conditions that may trigger the system even if there is no possibility of collision
●When there is an object by the roadside at the entrance to a curve
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a curve
●When driving over a narrow iron bridge
●When there is a metal object on the road surface
●When driving on an uneven road surface
●When passing an oncoming vehicle on a left-turn
●When your vehicle rapidly closes on the vehicle in front
●When a grade separation/interchange, sign, billboard, or other structure
appears to be directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
●When climbing a steep hill causes an overhead billboard or other metallic struc-
ture to appear directly in the vehicle’s line of travel
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the axis of the radar is out of adjustment
●When passing through certain toll gates
●When driving on a bridge
●When passing through a tunnel
When the system is activated in the situations described above, there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the retracted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten it.
■Obstacles not detected
The sensor cannot detect plastic obstacles such as traffic cones. There may also be
occasions when the sensor cannot detect pedestrians, animals, bicycles, motorcy-
cles, trees, or snowdrifts.
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284
2-4. Using other driving systems
RX350/270_EE
■Situations in which the pre-crash safety system does not function properly
The system may not function effectively in situations such as the following:
●On roads with sharp bends or uneven surfaces
●If a vehicle suddenly moves in front of your vehicle, such as at an intersection
●If a vehicle suddenly cuts in front of your vehicle, such as when overtaking
●In inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or sand storms
●When your vehicle is skidding with the VSC system off
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the axis of the radar is out of adjustment
■Automatic cancelation of the pre-crash safety system
When a malfunction occurs due to sensor contamination, etc. that results in the
sensors being unable to detect obstacles, the pre-crash safety system will be auto-
matically disabled. In this case, the system will not activate even if there is a collision
possibility.
■When there is a malfunction in the system, or if the system is temporarily unus-
able
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on or flash. (→P. 5 4 3 , 5 5 2 )
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289
2
When driving
RX350/270_EE
2-5. Driving information
Utility vehicle precautions
Off-road vehicle feature
●Specific design characteristics give it a higher center of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature causes this type of
vehicle to be more likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles have a signifi-
cantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
●An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the
road allowing you to anticipate problems.
●It is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as ordinary passen-
ger cars any more than low-slung sports cars designed to perform sat-
isfactorily under off-road conditions. Therefore, sharp turns at
excessive speeds may cause rollover.
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher
ground clearance and narrower tread in relation to the height of its
center of gravity to make it capable of performing in a wide variety of
off-road applications.
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