LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

AIR CONDITIONING
250
3Floor — Air flows mainly from the floor vents and rear
vents.
4Floor/windshield — Air flows mainly from the floor vents,
windshield vents and rear vents.
Take in the fresh air with selecting the OUTSIDE AIR
mode by the air intake control button. If manual fan speed control is desired —
1Fan speed at low2 Fan speed at high
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by pushing the
appropriate side of fan speed control button. The higher the fan
speed is, the more air is delivered. Push the “>” (increase) or
“<” (decrease) side of the button to adjust the fan speed.
Pushing the “OFF” button turns off the fan.
To remove the exterior windshield frost and interior windshield
fog, use the high speed setting.

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251
If manual switching of air intake is desired —
The air intake control button is used to switch the air intake
between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and RECIRCULATED AIR
mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the indicator light
will turn off and the system will take fresh outside air into the
vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake
control
button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The indicator light will
come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button
set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during
heating, the windows will fog up more easily. To prevent fogging up of the windshield, the air intake mode
may change automatically to the OUTSIDE AIR mode
depending on the condition of the air conditioning system.
For example, when the ambient temperature is low, the air
intake mode may change automatically to the OUTSIDE AIR
mode. This is not a malfunction.
When the air conditioning is ON, if the engine coolant
temperature becomes extremely high, the RECIRCULATED
AIR mode is automatically selected. This is not a malfunction.
When
the engine coolant temperature is lowered, the previous
mode resumes.
If manual onoff of the air conditioning is desired —
Push the “A/C” button to turn the air conditioning on and push
it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0 C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will improve
fuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for year− round
automatic temperature control including cooling and
dehumidifying operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the “A/C” button will blink. If the indicator of the
“A/C” button blinks even when the “A/C” button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.

AIR CONDITIONING
252If the engine coolant temperature becomes extremely high, the
air conditioning may shut off automatically to resolve
emergency situation for engine cooling. This is not a
malfunction. When the engine coolant
temperature is lowered,
the air conditioning comes on automatically.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
To remove interior fog on the windshield —
Push the windshield air flow button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield —
1. Push the “TEMP” button to set the maximum temperature.
2. Push the windshield air flow button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to obtain
a maximum air flow.
4. Leave the “A/C” button off.
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.

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253
This button allows the air intake to select the OUTSIDE AIR
mode automatically. This is to clean up the front view more
quickly. If you want to return the setting to the
RECIRCULATED
AIR mode, push the air intake control button
once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
CAUTION
Do not use the windshield air flow button during cooled
air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air
and that of the windshield could cause the outer surface
of the windshield to fog up blocking your vision.
(c) Operating tips
 To cool off your Lexus after it has been parked in the hot sun,
drive with the windows open for a few minutes. After the
excess heat has blown away, close the windows. This vents
the hot air, allowing the air conditioning to cool the interior
more quickly.
 Make sure the air intake grilles in front of the windshield are
not blocked (by leaves or snow, for example).
 If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the side vents and
rear vents. (See “(d) Side vents and rear vents”.)
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield. The
windshield could fog up because of the difference in air
temperature on the inside and outside of the windshield.
 Keep the area under the front seats clear to allow air to
circulate throughout the vehicle.
 On cold days, set the fan speed to high for a minute to help
clear the intake ducts of snow or moisture. This can reduce
the amount of fogging on the windows.
 When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dust
thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake
control button be set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode to take in
the fresh air and the fan speed selector to any setting except
OFF.

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If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake be temporarily set to the RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, which will close off the outside passage and prevent
outside air and dust from entering the vehicle interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature — To the desired temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning — OFF
For manual operation —Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — FLOOR
Air conditioning — OFF
 For quick heating, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes. To keep the windows from fogging, select
OUTSIDE AIR after the vehicle interior has been warmed.
 Push the “A/C” button on for dehumidified heating.
 Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat the vehicle interior
while defrosting or defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature — To the desired temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning — ON
For manual operation —Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards low temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — PANEL
Air conditioning — ON
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes.

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255
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature — Towards low temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning — OFF
For manual operation —Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards low temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — PANEL
Air conditioning — OFF
Defogging and defrosting
— The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —Temperature — Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
For manual operation —
Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.
This button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,
push the air intake control button once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield — the
difference between the outside and inside temperatures
could make the fogging worse.

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256— The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
For manual operation —
Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defrosting function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used. This
button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,
push the air intake control button once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the windshield,
choose floor/windshield air flow.

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257
(d) Side vents and rear vents
Side vents
Rear vents If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the side vents
and rear vents. The side vents and rear vents may be
opened or closed as shown.
When
outside temperature is cold like a winter season, air flow
temperature from the side vents and rear vents may not be
warmed up enough for a while until that the engine coolant
temperature becomes high enough.
If air flow from the side vents and rear vents is not satisfactory,
air flow direction can be changed manually by adjusting the
vents fin direction or the vents may be closed.

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(e) Checking and replacing the air conditioningfilter
The air conditioning filter information label is placed in the
glove box as shown and indicates that a filter has been
installed.
The air conditioning filter prevents dust from entering the
vehicle through the air conditioning vent.
The air conditioning filter is behind the glove box.
The air conditioning filter may clog after long use. The filter
may need to be replaced if the air flow of the air conditioner and
heater experiences extreme reductions in operating ef ficiency,
or if the windows become to fog up easily.
If the symptoms of air conditioning efficiency problems occur,
contact your nearest Lexus dealer to have the filter checked
and replaced.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency, inspect and replace
the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow such
as inner city or desert areas, early replacement may be
required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please
refer to the “Owner’s Manual Supplement / Scheduled
Maintenance”.)

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1. Open the glove box. Remove the 2 pins installed on the
upper part of the glove box and lower the glove box.
2. Remove the filter case from the filter outlet as shown in
the illustration.
3. Remove the filter from the filter case.
4. Inspect the filter on the surface.
If it is the just moderately dusty, it may be cleaned by blowing
compressed air from the reverse surface. Do not wash or oil
the filter.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced.
When installing the filter in the filter case, keep the arrow
pointing up.