LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

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Antilock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at a moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles without an antilock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer
stopping distance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snowcovered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate
pressure: The antilock brake system detects vehicle
speeds u sing the speed sensors for respective wheels’
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting
in a longer stopping distance.“ABS” warning light
1U.S.A.2Canada
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. If the anti−lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti −lock brake system, the brake
assist system, the traction control system and the vehicle
stability control system do not operate, but the brake system
still operates conventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti−lock brake system does not
operate so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces.

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If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the components monitored
by the warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
Drumindisc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum−in−disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding −down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding −down.

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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.

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Low tire pressure warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position. It goes off after a few seconds. This indicates that the
tire pressure warning system is functioning properly.
If the low tire pressure warning light comes on or blinks
while driving, do the following.
 If the warning light comes on: The tire pressure is critically
low. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level
as soon as possible. (See “Tires and wheels” on page 566.)
Once the ignition switch is turned off, the warning light also
goes off. If the light comes on again when the vehicle is started
after adjusting tire inflation pressure to the specified level, have
the system checked at your Lexus dealer. If you have a flat tire, replace it with the spare tire. For details,
see “If you have a flat tire” on page 500.

If the warning light blinks once every second: The low
tire pressure warning system may be malfunctioning.
Contact your Lexus dealer.
 If the warning light blinks twice every second: The low
tire pressure warning system needs to be initialized. Reset
the system with the tire pressure warning system reset
switch. (To reset the system, see “Tire pressure warning
system reset switch”.)
The tire pressure warning system does not function
properly under certain circumstances. In the following
cases, the low tire pressure warning light may not come
on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may come
on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
 A compact spare tire, snow tires, or tire chains are used.
 The tire inflation pressure is excessively higher than
specified, or tire inflation pressure suddenly drops due to
bursting or other causes.
 The vehicle is driven on a slippery road surface such as
rough or frozen roads.
 The vehicle speed is less than 30 km/h (19 mph) or more
than 100 km/h (62 mph), and the driving duration is less than
5 minutes.
 The tires differ in tread pattern or manufacturer.
 The tires are not the specified size.

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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”.

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4. With the vehicle stopped, push the reset switch on the left
lower instrument panel and hold it until the low tire pressure
warning light blinks three times.
Initialization is
completed after driving at the speeds of 30 km/h
(19 mph) or over for about a few hours total, when the tire
pressure warning system detects the normal tire pressure. If
the following driving conditions are satisfied, initialization will
be completed in about one hour.
 Vehicle speed varies between 30 km/h (19 mph) and 80
km/h (50 mph)
 Normal road surface
When the warning light blinks twice every second while driving,
you may be unable to reset the system. In this case, set the
system again according to the above procedure.
Do not push the reset switch without adjusting the tire inflation
pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the low tire
pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire
pressure is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation
pressure is actually normal.
If you push the reset switch while the vehicle is moving,
initialization is not performed.
If the low tire pressure warning light does not blink when you
push and hold the reset switch, have the low pressure warning
system checked at your Lexus dealer.
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMIT INDICATORS
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes
give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to the
extent that replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have the
brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the
pads are not replaced when needed.

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SECTION 3 – 2
467
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Off−road vehicle precautions 468
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Break−in period 469
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Operation in foreign countries 470
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Tips for driving in various conditions 470
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Off −road driving precautions 472
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Winter driving tips 474
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Dinghy towing 475
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Trailer towing 476
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 487
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Vehicle load limits 489
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Cargo and luggage 490
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DRIVING TIPS
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OFFROAD VEHICLEPRECAUTIONS
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 offroad applications.
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 significantly 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 passenger cars
any more than lowslung sports cars designed to perform
satisfactorily under offroad conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause rollover.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precautions to minimize
the risk of serious personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
 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.
 Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers, if at all
possible. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury.
 Loading cargo on the roof luggage carrier will make
the center of the vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking
or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to failure to operate
this vehicle correctly.
 Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. Because of
its profile and higher center of gravity, your vehicle is
more sensitive to side winds than an ordinary
passenger car . Slowing down will allow you to have
better control.

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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).