steering wheel LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owner's Manual

66
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type)
Auto tilt awayWhen the key is removed from the
engine switch, the steering wheel
returns to its stowed position by
moving up and away to enable
easier driver entry and exit.
Inserting the key into the engine
switch returns the steering wheel
to its original position.
The steering wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable position.
Up
Down
Away from the driver
Toward the driver
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Setting of the auto tilt-away function can be disabled. (Customizable features
→P. 4 5 8 )
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident, resulting in
death or serious injury.

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1
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
RX400h_U
Anti-glare inside rear view mirror
■To prevent sensor error
CAUTION
■Caution while driving
Do not adjust the position of the mirror while driving.
Doing so may lead to mishandling of the vehicle and an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
In automatic mode, sensors are used to detect the headlights of vehicles
behind and automatically reduces the reflected light.
To turn automatic mode on/
off, press and hold the switch
for 3 seconds.
The indicator comes on when
automatic mode is turned on.
The anti-glare mirror default
mode is automatic mode. The
anti-glare mirror is automati-
cally set to automatic mode
whenever the engine switch is in
the ON position.
To ensure that the sensors operate properly,
do not touch or cover them.

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1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
Outside rear view mirrors
■When the mirrors are fogged up
Turn on the outside rear view mirror defoggers to defog the mirrors. (→P. 2 0 4 )
■Folding back the mirrors
■One-touch adjustment of the mirror angle (vehicles with driving position mem-
ory)
A desired mirror face angle can be entered to memory and adjusted with the touch
of a button. (→ P. 5 5 )
Mirror angle can be adjusted using the switch when the engine switch is in
the ACC or ON position.
Pull down the cover
Select a mirror to adjust
(L: left or R: right)
Adjust the mirror up, down,
in, or out using the switch
Push back in the direction of the vehicle's
rear.

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1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
■Linked mirror function when reversing (vehicles with driving position memory)
The outside rear view mirrors will automatically angle downwards when the vehicle
is reversing in order to give a better view of the ground. However, this function will
not operate when the mirror select switch is in the neutral position (between L and
R).
■Auto anti-glare function
When the anti-glare inside rear view mirror is set to automatic mode, the outside
rear view mirrors will activate in conjunction with the anti-glare inside rear view mir-
ror to reduce reflected light. ( →P. 6 7 )
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
Observe the following precautions while driving.
Failing to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not adjust the mirrors while driving.
●Do not drive with the mirrors folded back.
●Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly
adjusted before driving.
■When the mirror defoggers are operating
Do not touch the surface of the mirror, as it may be hot.

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1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
RX400h_U
Roof luggage carrier (if equipped)
Adjusting the position of cross railsPull the lock release lever up to
release the cross rails.
Slide the cross rails to the appro-
priate position for loading luggage
and release the lever.
Cross rails
Roof rails
STEP1
STEP2

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1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Cross rail adjustment
Make sure the cross rails are locked securely by pushing forward and rearward
them.
Failure to do so may cause an unexpected accident or severe injury in the event of
emergency braking or a collision.
■When loading cargo
Observe the following precautions.
●Place the cargo so that its weight is distributed evenly between the front and rear
axles.
●If loading long or wide cargo, never exceed the vehicle overall length or width.
(→ P. 4 3 0 )
●Before driving, make sure the cargo is securely fastened on the roof luggage car-
rier.
●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.
●If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high speeds, stop the vehicle
now and then during the trip to make sure the cargo remains in its place.
●Do not exceed 165 lb. (75 kg) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier.
NOTICE
■When loading the luggage
Be careful not to scratch the surface of the moon roof.

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1
Before driving
RX400h_U
1-8. Safety information
Correct driving posture
Drive in a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat. (→P. 4 9 )
Adjust the position of the seat
forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. ( →P. 4 9 )
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily opera-
ble.
Adjust the tilt and telescopic
positions of the steering
wheel downward so the air-
bag is facing your chest.
(→ P. 65, 66)
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
head restraint closest to the
top of your ears. ( →P. 5 7 )
Wear the seat belt correctly.
(→ P. 58)

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_UIn certain types of severe frontal or side impacts, the SRS airbag system
triggers the airbag inflators. A chemical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the motion of the occu-
pants.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensors,
side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, driver's seat position sensor, driver's seat belt buckle switch, front pas-
senger occupant classification system, AIR BAG ON indicator light, AIR BAG
OFF indicator light, front passenger's seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(
→ P. 3 8 9 )
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating)
SRS airbag.
●A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well
as the front seats, and parts of the front pillar and roof side rail, may be hot for sev-
eral minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
●The front windshield may crack.
■Operating conditions (front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the frontal impact is above the
designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate 15 mph (25 km/h) colli-
sion when the vehicle impacts straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or
deform.
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, which can move or deform on
impact, or if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision (e.g. a collision in
which the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
●It is possible that in some collisions where the forward deceleration of the vehicle
is very close to the designed threshold level, the SRS front airbags and the seat
belt pretensioners may not activate together.

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1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
■When to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Do not dis-
connect the battery cables before contacting your Lexus dealer.
●Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
●The front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an accident
that was not severe enough to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.
●A portion of the doors is damaged or
deformed, or the vehicle was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS side airbags and curtain
shield airbags to inflate.
●The pad section of the steering wheel, front
passenger airbag cover or lower portion of
the instrument panel is scratched, cracked,
or otherwise damaged.
●The surface of the seats with the side
airbag is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
●The portion of the front pillars, rear pillars
or roof side rail garnishes (padding) con-
taining the curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.

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1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals com-fortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm)
distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the
back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to
see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.