key LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
388
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
“Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air −fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to “START”. Release it when the engine starts.
Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up, drive with the engine turning smoothly until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.

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The shift position is displayed on the instrument
cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4: Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
Vehicle with the cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
vehicle speed reduction, see page 415.
Vehicle with the dynamic laser cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the
conventional (fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
vehicle speed reduction, see pages 427 and 436.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking Correct
use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in snow mode

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(a) Normal driving
1“P” (Park) position2 “N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 388.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N”. The engine will not st\
art
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
“START”.
1Brake pedal2“D” (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION(multimode type)
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in “ON”
position. ( )
31RY303
The shift position or shift range position is displayed
on the instrument cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (shifting into overdrive possible)
S: “S” mode driving
+: Upshifting
: Downshifting

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Correct
use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in “S” mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in snow mode
(a) Normal driving
1“P” (Park) position2 “N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 388.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N” position. The engine wi\
ll
not start in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned
to “START”.

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(h) Parking and stopping tips
If you immediately stop the engine to park the vehicle after
off−road driving, the vehicle height is lowered slightly as the
vehicle becomes cool. When parking, make sure there is
nothing that will be in contact with the underbody of the vehicle.
If the “HI” (high) mode is selected when you start the engine,
the vehicle returns to the “HI” (high) height. If the “LO” (\
low) or
“N” (normal) mode is selected when you start the engine, the
vehicle height is change to “N” (normal) mode.
If you park the vehicle for a long time, the vehicle height may
be gradually lowered. When parking for a long time, make sure
there is nothing that will be in contact with the underbody of the
vehicle. If the “HI” (high) mode is selected when you start the
engine, the vehicle returns to the “HI” (high) height. If the “LO”\
(low) or “N” (normal) mode is selected when you start the
engine, the vehicle height is change to “N” (normal) mode.
If you stop the engine, the vehicle height may change in
accordance with the change in the temperature. When you
start the engine, the vehicle returns to the “HI” (high) height.\
If the “LO” (low) or “N” (normal) mode is selected when \
you
start the engine, the vehicle height is change to “N” (normal)
mode.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(twowheel drive models)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of front 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 front 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.

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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. When the traction control system is operating, the following
conditions occur:

The system controls the spinning of the front wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
 You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.

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Traction control off mode
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push “TRAC OFF” switch.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come on.
The vehicle stability control system is always activated, even
if the traction control system is turned off.
To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch once again.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will go off.“TRAC OFF”
indicator light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition key is turned to “ON”. It will come on again when
you push the “TRAC OFF” switch to turn off the system.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The indicator light does not come on when the ignition key
is turned to “ON”.
 The indicator light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
 The indicator light comes on with the normal driving mode
while driving.

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“VSC” warning light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle stability control system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to “ON”
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability control
system and traction control system do not work. However, as
conventional braking operates when applied, there is no
problem to continue your driving. 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.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come on when the “VSC”
warning light comes on even if the “TRAC OFF” switch is not
pushed.

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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.