LEXUS RX350 2011 Owners Manual

149
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
CAUTION
nWhen the vehicle is parked
lDo not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:

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2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
lIf the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed area, such
as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.
lThe exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to
have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so
may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a serious health
hazard.
nWhen taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust
gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious health hazard.
nWhen braking the vehicle
lWhen the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
lIf the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
lDo not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
lThe brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and the braking distance will increase.
If this happens, do not drive the vehicle. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
nIf the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel
the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
NOTICE
nWhen driving the vehicle
lDo not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving.
If the brake pedal is depressed while driving with the accelerator pedal
depressed, driving torque may be restrained.
lDo not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
nWhen parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the
vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
nAvoiding damage to vehicle parts
lDo not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
lWhen driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
nIf you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
those of the brake discs are exceeded.
nIf you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
lIt may be difficult to control your vehicle.
lThe vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
lThe vehicle will behave abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire (→P. 5 6 4 )

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2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
nWhen encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle:
lEngine stalling
lShort in electrical components
lEngine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following:
lBrake function
lChanges in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transaxle,
transfer (AWD models), differential, etc.
lLubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

153
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
Engine (ignition) switch
Performing the following operations when carrying the electronic key on
your person starts the engine or changes “ENGINE START STOP” switch
modes.
nStarting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in P.
Firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator will turn green. If the
indicator does not turn green, the engine cannot be started.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
The engine will crank until it
starts or for up to 30 seconds,
whichever is less.
Continue depressing the brake
pedal until the engine is com-
pletely started.
The engine can be started from
any mode.
nStopping the engine
Stop the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 1 6 4 )
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch.
Release the brake pedal and check that the indicator on the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

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2-1. Driving procedures
nChanging “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes
Modes can be changed by pressing the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch with the brake pedal released. (The mode changes each time
the switch is pressed.)
OFF*
The emergency flashers can be
used.
ACCESSORY mode
Some electrical components
such as the audio system can be
used.
The “ENGINE START STOP”
switch indicator turns amber.
IGNITION ON mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The “ENGINE START STOP”
switch indicator turns amber.
*: If the shift lever is in a position
other than P when turning off
the engine, the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will be
turned to ACCESSORY mode,
not to OFF.

155
2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
When stopping the engine with the shift lever in a position other than P
If the engine is stopped with the shift lever in a position other than P, the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch will not be turned off but instead be
turned to ACCESSORY mode. Perform the following procedure to turn
the switch off:
Check that the parking brake is set.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Check that the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
is illuminated in amber and then press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch once.
Check that the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
is off.
nAuto power off function
When the shift lever is in P, if the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON
mode with the engine not running for more than 20 minutes (ACCESSORY mode)
or one hour (IGNITION ON mode), the “ENGINE START STOP” switch will auto-
matically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent battery discharge.
Do not leave the vehicle with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY
or IGNITION ON mode for long periods of time when the engine is not running.
nOperation of the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
When operating the “ENGINE START STOP” switch, one short, firm press is
enough. If the switch is pressed improperly, the engine may not start or the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch mode may not change. It is not necessary to press
and hold the switch.
nElectronic key battery depletion
→P. 3 9
nConditions affecting operation
→P. 3 6
nNote for the entry function
→P. 3 1
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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2-1. Driving procedures
nIf the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 1 0 1 )
nSteering lock
After turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operat-
ing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again automatically cancels the steering
lock.
nWhen the steering lock cannot be released
nSteering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended
if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 2 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
nWhen the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
nIf the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 4 9 6
The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash and a mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-information
display. Press the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

157
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
CAUTION
nWhen starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the acceler-
ator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
nCaution while driving
If the vehicle begins to slide due to engine failure or other circumstances, do not
lock or open the doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activa-
tion of the steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.
nStopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, press and
hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds.
However, do not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving unless in
an emergency. If the engine stops while driving, this could lead to an accident.

158
2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
nTo prevent battery discharge
lDo not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of time without the engine running.
lIf the indicator on the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is illuminated, the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is not off. When exiting the vehicle, always
check that the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
lDo not stop the engine when the shift lever is in a position other than P. If the
engine is stopped in another shift lever position, the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch will not be turned off but instead be turned to ACCESSORY mode. If the
vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode, battery discharge may occur.
nWhen starting the engine
lDo not race a cold engine.
lIf the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.
nSymptoms indicating a malfunction with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
If the “ENGINE START STOP” seems to be operating somewhat differently than
usual, such as the switch sticking slightly, there may be a malfunction. Contact your
Lexus dealer immediately.