Page 55 of 502
SWITCHES
38When the headlights come on, the lights automatically
turn off about 30 seconds after any of the doors is
opened and closed with the ignition key turned to the
ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.* To turn them on again, turn
the ignition key to the ºONº position, or turn the headlight
switch off
and then twist the knob until the first or second
clickstop. If you are going to park for over one week,
make sure the headlight switch is off.
When the headlight switch is on with all the doors locked
and the trunk closed, pushing the ºLOCKº button on the
wireless remote control key turns off the headlights.
NOTE: *The time before turning off the lights can be changed. Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
Daytime Running Light System
The headlights turn on at reduced intensity when the
parking brake is released with the engine started, even
with the light switch in the ºOFFº position. They will not
go off until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel
lights, twist the knob to the first clickstop.
Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the
headlights to full intensity for driving at night. When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ºAUTOº),
the headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity
and/or turn on the other lights depending on the
darkness of the surroundings. Likewise, as the
surroundings be
come brighter, the headlights will turn to
reduced intensity, ultimately turning off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the lights on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.
Automatic headlight leveling system
(Vehicles with discharge headlight only)
As the headlight beam level is always maintained
automatically at the proper level in all loading conditions,
your headlights do not dazzle other road users.
If this system fails, the multi information display shows
a message ºHEADLIGHT LEVELINGº. If this occurs,
have your vehicle checked by Lexus dealer. See page
79 for additional information.
Page 82 of 502
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
65
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases when the
ignition key is turned on.
When the parking brake is applied ...
When the brake fluid level is low ...
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in
the following cases:
The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied with the ignition ªONº.
CAUTION
If the light does not go out even after the parking brake
is released during the engine running, immediately stop
your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer. In this case, the brakes may not work properly
and your stopping distance will be longer. Depress the
brake pedal firmly.
Page 84 of 502
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
67
(e) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the
engine drive belt.
If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge
the battery properly.
If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however,
until the battery is discharged. Turn off the air
conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the
nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº
on page 57 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See
ºFuel tank capº on page 114 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine
electrical system, automatic transmission electrical
system or electronic throttle control system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ªc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
If this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not
increase with the accelerator pedal depressed down to
about the middle position, there may be a problem
somewhere in your electronic throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more
firmly and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low
speeds. Have your Lexus checked by your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control
system is corrected during low speed driving, the system
may not be recovered until the engine is stopped and the
ignition key is turned to ªACCº or ªLOCKº position.
Page 92 of 502
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
75
(b) Warning messages
13L052
Reminder light
W40W40
When the engine oil pressure becomes too low, the
above message appears, the reminder light flashes
and the warning tone sounds.
If this message appears while you are driving, pull off the
road to a safe place and stop the engine immediately.
Call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The message may appear when the oil level is extremely
low. It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the
oil level must be checked using the oil level dipstick.NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning messagedisplayed ± even for one block. It may ruin theengine.
W41W41
Page 95 of 502
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
78
W49W49
In the following cases, the above message appears,
the reminder light comes on and the warning tone
sounds.
When the headlight switch is turned to the first or
second clickstop with one or more of tail light bulbs
burned out.
When the brake pedal is held down with one or more
of stop light bulbs burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
W50W50
When the engine oil level is too low, the above
message appears, the reminder light comes on and
the warning tone sounds.
Add oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see
ºChecking the engine oil levelº on page 413.)
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.
Page 305 of 502
STARTING AND DRIVING
288
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ºPº. If you need to restart the
engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever
in ºNº. A starter safety device will prevent the starter
from operating if the selector lever is in any drive
position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until
driving off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the
instructions in ºBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system in your engine automatically
controls the proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can
start a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the
engine by turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when
the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are
ready to drive. If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up
for a few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle
while the engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it, using the correct procedure given in
normal starting.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 351.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a
time. This may overheat the starter and wiringsystems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checkedimmediately.
Page 330 of 502
STARTING AND DRIVING
313
31L052±1
Slip indicator light
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system
always turns on. Leave the system on during
ordinary driving so that it can operate when needed.
When traction control is applied, the slip indicator
light blinks.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the traction control
system is in the self ±check mode, and does not indicate
malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, you may
feel vi bration of your vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is functioning
properly. When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc.
the traction control system will help operate to prevent
the wheels from spinning.
To turn off the traction control system, see page 317.
Page 333 of 502
STARTING AND DRIVING
316
Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip
indicator light flashes and an alarm sounds.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly causes a small
noise from the engine compartment. This is a pump
pulsating sound of the brake system and it is not a
malfunction.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the vehicle skid
control is in the self±check mode and does not indicate
a malfunction.
31L017b
