automatic LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
439
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
80
(50) 100
(62)
“HI”
+30 (1.2)
30 (19) — 50 (31)
“N”
− 7.0 (0.3)
 “HI” (high) mode
“HI” (high) mode: The vehicle’s height is about 30 mm (1.2
in.) higher than the normal height.
This mode is suitable for driving on bumpy roads.
When the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 50 km/h (31
mph) or driving at the speeds of 30 km/h (19 mph) or over for
ten seconds total in “HI” mode, “N” mode is automatically
selected. Even if the vehicle speed then reduces to under 50
km/h (31 mph), the vehicle’s height will not return to “HI” mode.
CAUTION
The “HI” mode should be used for severe offroad
driving conditions only. As the vehicle’s center of
gravity is higher in this setting, the vehicle may become
unstable when turning abruptly, resulting in an
unexpected accident.

STARTING AND DRIVING
440
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
“N”
“LO”
− 15 (0.6)
 “LO” (low) mode
“LO” (low) mode: The vehicle’s height is about 15 mm (0.6 in.)
lower than the normal height.
This mode is suitable for sporty driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving.
When the engine is turned off and then restarted, the “N”
(normal) mode will automatically be selected.
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)
Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
“N”
− 7.0 (0.3)
“LO”
− 15 (0.6)
Easy access − 30 (1.2 in.) 80
(50) 100
(62)
12
(8)
 Easy access mode
Easy access mode: The vehicle’s height is about 30 mm (1.2
in.) lower than the normal height.
This mode allows easy access to the vehicle (getting in and
out) and easy loading and unloading operations.
This mode is available when “N” or “LO” mode is selected.
When the engine is stopped, easy access mode is
automatically selected, and the height adjusted.

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441
In the following cases, vehicle height is changed to “N”
(normal) mode height automatically.

Vehicle speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
 The engine is restarted and the easy access mode is
canceled.
CAUTION
When the engine is stopped in easy access mode,
vehicle height is changed quickly. Be careful not to
get your head, hands or other parts of your body
caught by the lowering underbody of the vehicle.
 You must also make sure nobody places his or her
head, hands or other parts of their body between the
body of the vehicle and tires.
NOTICE
Be careful when you drive in any place where overhead
space is limited and you have selected the easy access
mode. When the vehicle begins to move after stopping,
“N” (normal) mode will automatically be selected,
raising the vehicle’s height, and potentially causing
damage to the vehicle.
(b) Automatic leveling function
Regardless of the number of occupants or the luggage
load, vehicle height in any mode is always adjusted
automatically to a fixed height.
(c) Selecting “LO”, “HI” or “N” mode
Selection conditions: To select the vehicle’s height, it is
necessary to meet the following conditions.
 The engine is running.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light is off.
 The vehicle is within the speed limitations. Refer to the
following table.
Yes = The mode can be selected.
No = The mode cannot be selected.
“LO”
mode“N”
mode“HI”
mode
At vehicle
stoppageYe sYe sYe s
Under
approximately
30 km/h (19 mph)
Ye sYe sYe s
Approximately
30 km/h (19 mph)
or over
Ye sYe sNo

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444
(d) Selecting the easy access mode
1Easy access mode switch
2Easy access mode indicator light
To select the easy access mode, push the easy access
mode switch. The easy access mode indicator light
comes on.
When the engine is stopped, the vehicle height changes
automatically to the easy access mode. The indicator light
blinks while the height changes. When the vehicle height
reaches the easy access mode, the indicator light turns off.
This mode is available when “N” or “LO” mode is selected.
When the engine is restarted in the easy access mode, the
easy access mode indicator light blinks. When the vehicle
begins to run or you push the height select switch to change the
mode, the indicator light will remain on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8
mph) in the easy access mode, the “N” (normal) mode is
automatically selected.
The “N” indicator light blinks while the vehicle height changes.
When the vehicle’s height reaches the “N” mode, the indicator
light remains on.
To cancel the easy access mode, push the easy access mode
switch once again. The indicator light will turn off.
When
the engine is restarted after being stopped, easy access
mode is cancelled and “N” (normal) mode is automatically
selected.

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445
1Higher2Lower
3Height control indicator lights
 Changing the mode
You can change the easy access mode to the “LO”, “N” or “HI”\
mode when the engine is running.
To change easy access mode to “LO” mode: Push the
height select switch on the “ ” (higher) side once.
To change easy access mode to “N”mode: Push the height
select switch on the “ ” (higher) side twice.
In the following cases, the vehicle’s height is automatically
changed to “N” (normal) mode.
 The vehicle speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
 The engine is restarted and the easy access mode is
canceled. To change easy access
mode to “HI” mode: Push the height
select switch on the “ ” (higher) side for three times.
The “LO”, “N” or “HI” indicator light blinks while the\
vehicle’s
height changes. When the vehicle’s height reaches the “LO”,
“N” or “HI” mode, the indicator light remains on.
If the vehicle’s height is changed frequently, the raising or
lowering will take longer than usual. There is no problem in the
electronically modulated air suspension.
CAUTION
If you select easy access mode, check under the vehicle
to make sure nothing that could damage the vehicle or
no one who could be injured is there and that the
underbody of the vehicle does not touch the ground
before the engine is stopped.

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(e) Turning off the electronically modulated airsuspension
1Height control switch
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
To turn off the electronically modulated air suspension
with the vehicle stopped, push the height control switch.
The height control “OFF” indicator light comes on and the
vehicle height is fixed in the same mode as was last
selected.
This status is maintained in the system even after the engine
is stopped.
If you push the switch again, the height control “OFF” indicator
light goes out and the electronically modulated air suspension
is turned on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds 30 km/h (19 mph), the
height control “OFF” indicator light goes out and the
electronically modulated air suspension turns on
automatically.
CAUTION

If you drive through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water
and the firmness of the bottom of the river bed then
put the vehicle height into “HI” mode with the height
select switch and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension by pushing the height
control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30 km/h (19
mph) or slower and avoid deep water.
 When jacking up, installing tire chains or tying your
vehicle with chains or wires for transportation by a
flat bed, be sure to turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension with the height control
switch and stop the engine. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle height
in the “N” mode and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.

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If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension with the height control
switch. Otherwise, the automatic leveling function
may cause the vehicle height to change, possibly
resulting in further damage to the vehicle.
 When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height
in the “LO” mode and push the height control switch
to turn off the electronically modulated air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may be
changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting
in unexpected accident.(f) Height control failure warning
1Height control indicator lights
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
3Easy access mode indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on, all the indicator lights
come on. Only the indicator light showing the present mode
remains on and all other lights go off after a few seconds. This
means the system is operating correctly.

STARTING AND DRIVING
448In the following cases, there is a problem somewhere in the
electronically
modulated air suspension, in which case the “N”
mode is automatically selected. Although there is no problem
to continue driving normally, have the electronically modulated
air suspension checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned on.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light blinks.
(g) Operating noise of the electronically
modulated air suspension
You may hear an operating noise in the following cases. There
is no problem in the electronically modulated air suspension.
Selecting vehicle height with the height select switch
 Adjusting vehicle height according to the number of
occupants or the luggage load
 Changing vehicle height by selecting the easy access mode
when the engine is stopped
 Changing vehicle height by selecting the easy access mode
when the vehicle speed exceeds 12 km/h (8 mph)
 Changing the vehicle height by selecting the “HI” mode
when the vehicle speed exceeds 50 km/h (31 mph) or
driving at a speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) for 10 seconds or
more
 Lowering the vehicle’s height automatically when the
vehicle is moving at high speed
 Returning the vehicle height after high speed driving

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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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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.