engine LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
453
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(fourwheel drive modes)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against 4 wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
Normal driving mode
 Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self− check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.

STARTING AND DRIVING
455
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON”.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to “ON”.
 The warning light comes on while driving.
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL
SYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as antilock
brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the brakes and engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering on
a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed is about more
than 15 km/h (9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the system is in the self −check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.

STARTING AND DRIVING
458
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub− systems. If either sub− system
should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be
harder to press, and your stopping distance will increase. Also,
the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power −assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There
is enough reserved vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION
 Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your reserved
vacuum.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.

STARTING AND DRIVING
459
Antilock brake system
The antilock brake system is designed to help prevent
lockup of the wheels during a sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in providing
directional stability and steering performance of the
vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti−lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti−lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti−lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site, joints
in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti −lock
brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds just after the vehicle begins to
move. This means that the anti −lock brake system is in the
self−check mode, and does not indicate a malfunction. When the antilock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system:

You may hear the anti −lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is
stopped.
 At the end of the anti−lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little forward.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the antilock brake system:
Although the antilock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the antilock
brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the antilock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
462
Brake assist system
If you slam the brakes on such as in an emergency or
apply the brakes more firmly than usual such as when
descending the hill with the designated number of
occupants in the vehicle, the brake assist system
provides more powerful braking.
If you slam the brakes on or apply the brakes more firmly, more
powerful braking will be applied. At this time, you may hear a
sound in the engine compartment and feel the vibrations of the
brake pedal. This does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
For an explanation of this system’s warning light, see “ABS
warning light” on page 81 or 460.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
The tire pressure warning system is designed to provide
warning when tire inflation pressure is critically low while
the vehicle is moving. The low tire pressure warning light
comes on to inform you that such low tire pressure may
hamper driving.
This system is not designed to operate when the vehicle is
stopped. Therefore, check the tire inflation pressure regularly.
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure, tire size and the
vehicle capacity weight are on the tire and loading information
label. (For instructions, see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
on page 570.)
Installed tires should be of the specified size. They should be
of the same size and construction. If tires other than the
specified size are used, or if tires of different sizes or
constructions are mixed, the tire pressure warning system will
not function properly.

STARTING AND DRIVING
464
The tread wear is very different among the installed tires.
 Rapid acceleration/deceleration or sharp turns is continue.
 Towing a trailer.
 The loading is over the limit or imbalanced.
 Initialization was not performed correctly after replacing or
rotating tires or wheels.
 The outside temperature is below 0 C (32F) or above
40 C (104 F).
CAUTION
When the tire pressure warning light comes on, observe
the following instructions:
 Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level
as soon as possible.
 Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking when the tire pressure warning light comes
on. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes, causing
death or serious injury.
Tire pressure warning system reset switch
The tire pressure warning system need to be initialized in
the following conditions:
When the low tire pressure warning light blinks twice
every second
 After replacing or rotating tires or wheels
When initializing the system, the present tire condition is
stored as a standard.
To initialize the system, perform the following:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the parking brake.
Stop the engine.
2. Adjust the pressure of all the installed tires to the specified
level. (See “Tires and wheels” on page 566.)
3. Turn the ignition key to “ON”.

DRIVING TIPS
469
When driving offroad or in rugged terrain, do not
drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s
suspension and chassis.
 Do not drive horizontally across steep slopes.
Driving straight up or straight down is preferred.
Your vehicle (or any similar offroad vehicle) can tip
over sideways much more easily than forward or
backward.BREAKIN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break− in schedule with your new Lexus.
But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles)
can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:
 Avoid full throttle acceleration when starting and driving.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).

DRIVING TIPS
471
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
 Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 392 or 403.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h
(85 mph) unless your vehicle has highspeed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) 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 highspeed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
 Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are
wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer
stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when
the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will
not hold the vehicle securely.
 Vehicles with electronically modulated air
suspension: If you drive through water, such as when
crossing swallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the river bed of firmness,
put the vehicle height in the “HI” (high) mode with the
height select switch and then turn off the
electronically modulated air suspension by pushing
the height control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30
km/h (19 mph) or lower speed.

DRIVING TIPS
473
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand,
rivers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the
underbody. Clear off any such matter from the
underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materials
trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown
or fire could occur.
 In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing
a seat belt. Therefore, the driver and all passengers
should fasten their seat belts whenever the vehicle is
moving.
 When driving offroad or in rugged terrain, do not
drive at excessive speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or
vehicle rollover causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage to your vehicle’s
suspension and chassis.NOTICE
 If driving through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water
and the bottom of the river bed for firmness. Drive
slowly and avoid deep water.
 Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that
water damage to the engine or other components
does not occur.
Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe
engine damage.
Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings,
causing rusting and premature failure, and may also
enter the differentials, transmission and transfer
case, reducing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
 Sand and mud that has accumulated in brake drums
and around brake discs may affect braking ef ficiency
and may damage brake system components.
 Always perform a maintenance inspection after each
day of offroad driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled
maintenance information, refer to the “Owner’s
Manual Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.

DRIVING TIPS
474
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure your coolant is properly protected against
freezing.
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high
quality ethylene glycol based non−silicate, non −amine,
non− nitrite, and non −borate coolant with long− life hybrid
organic acid technology. (Coolant with long −life hybrid organic
acid technology is a combination of low phosphates and
organic acids.)
See “Checking the engine coolant level” on page 559 for
details of coolant type selection.
For the U.S.A. — “T oyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture
of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant
provides protection down to about −35C (− 31F).
For Canada — “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture
of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. This coolant
provides protection down to about −42C (− 44F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 601 tells you how to visually inspect the battery.
Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be pleased to
check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold
weather.
See page 558 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Lexus dealer — they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de− icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute
because it may damage your vehicle’s paint.