tow LEXUS RX350 2011 User Guide

83
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)

Before driving
Steering wheel
Auto tilt away
When the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is turned off, the
steering wheel returns to its
stowed position by moving up and
away to enable easier driver entry
and exit.
Turning the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch to ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode will return
the steering wheel to the original
position.
The steering wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable position.
Operating the switch moves the steering wheel in the following direc-
tions:
Up
Down
Away from the driver
Toward the driver

119
1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
lDo not sit on the edge of the seat or lean
against the dashboard.
lDo not allow a child to stand in front of the
SRS front passenger airbag unit or sit on
the knees of a front passenger.
lDo not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
lDo not lean against the door, the roof side
rail or the front, side and rear pillars.
lDo not allow anyone to kneel on the pas-
senger seats toward the door or put their
head or hands outside the vehicle.

145
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
nDriving in the rain
lDrive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
lDrive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
lRefrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
nBreaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
lFor the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
lFor the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
lFor the first 1000 miles (1600 km):

162
2-1. Driving procedures
nSnow mode automatic deactivation
Snow mode is automatically deactivated if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is
turned off after driving in snow mode.
nS mode
lWhen the shift range is “5” or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the
shift range to “6”.
lTo prevent the engine from over-revving, upshifting may automatically occur.
lTo protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
nAI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the optimal gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S position cancels the function.)
nWhen driving with the cruise control or dynamic radar cruise control
Engine braking will not occur in S mode, even when downshifting to “5” or “4”.
(→P. 204, 208)
nIf the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 5 7 9
nIf S does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same as manner as when the
shift lever is in D.)
nDownshift restriction warning buzzer (S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The buzzer will sound twice.)

186
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Turning on the high beam headlights
With the headlights on, push the
lever away from you to turn on
the high beams.
When the light switch is in “AUTO”
position, the Automatic High Beam
system will be activated. (→P. 1 8 9 )
Pull the lever toward you to the
center position to turn the high
beams off.
Pull the lever toward you to turn
on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the head-
lights on or off.
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) (if equipped)
AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction of the light axis of
the headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire
angle that are controlled by steering input.
AFS operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
nDeactivating AFS
Press the menu switch.
The multi-information display will
change modes to electronic fea-
tures control mode.
Press the “ENTER” switch
upwards or downwards until
“AFS” appears.
STEP1

200
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
nRaindrop sensor (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
lIf the wiper switch is turned to the position while the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wipers will operate once to show
that “AUTO” mode is activated.
lWhen the sensor sensitivity ring is turned toward high while in “AUTO” mode,
the wipers will operate once to indicate that the sensor sensitivity is enhanced.
lIf the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194°F (90°C) or higher, or 5°F
(-15°C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate
the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
nIf no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
CAUTION
nCaution regarding the use of windshield wipers in “AUTO” mode (vehicles with
rain-sensing windshield wipers)
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subject to vibration in “AUTO” mode. Take care that your fingers or
anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
lThe raindrop sensor judges the amount
of raindrops.
An optical sensor is adopted. It may not
operate properly when sunlight from the
rising or setting of the sun intermittently
strikes the windshield, or if bugs etc. are
present on the windshield.

201
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2

When driving
NOTICE
nWhen the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
nWhen the washer fluid tank is empty
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward you
and held continually.
nWhen a nozzle becomes blocked
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

205
2-4. Using other driving systems
2

When driving
Accelerate or decelerate to the
desired speed, and push the
lever down to set the speed.
“SET” will be displayed.
nAdjusting the set speed
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
Fine adjustment of the set speed
can be made by lightly pushing
the lever up or down and releas-
ing it.
nCanceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever towards you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the constant speed control.
STEP2

207
2-4. Using other driving systems
2

When driving
CAUTION
nTo avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
nSituations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting in death
or serious injury.
lIn heavy traffic
lOn roads with sharp bends
lOn slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
lOn winding roads
lOn steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
lWhen your vehicle is towing anything

210
2-4. Using other driving systems
nAdjusting the speed setting
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
Fine adjustment of the set speed
can be made by lightly pushing
the lever up or down and releas-
ing it.
nCanceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the constant speed control.