Page 197 of 378

AIR CONDITIONING
184
SV21015
2. Remove the cover and take out the air filter.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced. To maintain the air
conditioning efficiency, replace the air filter according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ºOwner's Manual Supplement
/ Scheduled Maintenanceº.)
INFORMATION
The air filter should be installed properly in position.The use of air conditioning with the air filter removedmay cause deteriorated dustproof performance andthen affect air conditioning performance.
(d) Operating tips
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot sun,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows open. After
the excess heat has blown away, close the windows.
Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield are
not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the dashboard
vents. (See ºCenter ventsº and ºSide ventsº.)
On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield. The
windshield could fog up because of the difference in air
temperature on the inside and outside of the windshield.
Keep the area under the front seats clear to allow air to
circulate throughout the vehicle.
On cold days, set the fan speed selector to adjust the fan
speed high for a minute to help clear the intake ducts of
snow or moisture. This can reduce the amount of fogging
on the windows.
When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dust
thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake
control button be left to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan
speed control dial be turned to anywhere except the ºOFFº
button.
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake control button be temporarily pressed in to the
RECIRCULATED AIR m ode, which will close off the outside
passage and prevent outside air and dust from entering the
vehicle interior.
Page 209 of 378
AUDIO
196(c) Your radio antenna
To remove an antenna, carefully turn it counterclockwise.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the antenna, make sure it is
removed before driving your vehicle through anautomatic car wash.
(d) Your cassette player
When you insert a cassette, the exposed tape should be to the
right.
NOTICE
Do not oil any part of the cassette player, and do not insert anything except a cassette tape into the slot.
(e) Your automatic changer (Type A only)
SV22052
Your automatic changer can be store up to 6 discs and play
selected discs or continuously play all the discs set in the
player.
When you set discs into the player, make sure their labels face
up. If not, the player will display ºERR 1º and the disc number.
NOTICE
Never try to disassemble or oil any part of the compact disc player. Do not insert anything except acompact disc into the slot.
Do not insert a disc upon another one.
The player is intended for use with 12 cm (4.7 in.) discs only.
Page 210 of 378
AUDIO
197
Radio operation
(a) Listening to the radio
SV22051
Push these buttons to choose either an AM or FM station.
ºAMº, ºFM1º or ºFM2º appears on the display.
SV22037
Turn the knob clockwise to step up the frequency. Turn
the knob counterclockwise to step down the frequency.
Your radio automatically changes to stereo reception when a
stereo broadcast is received. ºSTº appears on the display. If
the signal becomes weak, the radio reduces the amount of
channel separation to prevent the weak signal from creating
noise. If the signal becomes extremely weak, the radio
switches from stereo to mono reception. In this case, ºSTº
disappears from the display.
Page 211 of 378

AUDIO
198(b) Presetting a station
SV22042
1. Tune in the desired station.
2. Push
one of the station selector buttons ( 1±6 ) and hold
it until a beep is heard. This sets the station to the button
and the button number ( 1±6 ) appears on the display.
Each button can store one AM station and two FM stations. To
change the preset station to a different one, follow the same
procedure.
The preset station memory is cancelled when the power
source is interrupted by battery disconnection or a blown fuse. (c) Selecting a station
Your Lexus has an electronic tuning radio (ETR). Tune in the
desired station using one of the following methods.
SV22053
Preset
tuning: Push the button ( 1±6 ) for the station you want.
The button number ( 1±6 ) and station frequency appear on the
display.
Manual tuning: Turn the ºAUDIO CONTROLº knob clockwise
to step up the frequency. Turn the knob counterclockwise to
step down the frequency. (See page 197.)
Seek tuning: Push the ºSEEKº button. The radio will begin
seeking up or down for a station of the nearest frequency and
will stop on reception. Each time you push the button, the
stations will be searched out one after another.
Page 227 of 378

AUDIO
214
Car audio system operating hints
NOTICE
To ensure correct audio system operations:
Be careful not to spill beverages over the audiosystem.
Do not put anything other than a cassette tape orcompact disc into the cassette tape slot or compact
disc slot.
The use of a cellular phone inside or near the vehiclemay cause a noise from the speakers of the audiosystem which you are listening to. However, thisdoes not indicate a malfunction.
Radio reception
Usually, the problem with radio reception does not mean there
is a problem with your radio ± it is just the normal result of
conditions outside the vehicle.
For example, nearby buildings and terrain can interfere with
FM reception. Power lines or telephone wires can interfere
with AM signals. And of course, radio signals have a limited
range. The farther you are from a station, the weaker its signal
will be. In addition, reception conditions change constantly as
your vehicle moves.
Here are some common reception problems that probably do
not indicate a problem with your radio: FM
Fading and drifting stations
± Generally, the effective range
of FM is about 40 km (25 miles). Once outside this range, you
may notice fading and drifting, which increase with the
distance from the radio transmitter. They are often
accompanied by distortion.
Multi±path ± FM signals are reflective, making it possible for
two signals to reach your antenna at the same time. If this
happens, the signals will cancel each other out, causing a
momentary flutter or loss of reception.
Static and fluttering ± These occur when signals are blocked
by buildings, trees, or other large objects. Increasing the bass
level may reduce static and fluttering.
Station swapping ± If the FM signal you are listening to is
interrupted or weakened, and there is another strong station
nearby on the FM band, your radio may tune in the second
station until the original signal can be picked up again.
Page 232 of 378

SECTION 3 ± 1
219
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter220
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 221
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 222
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 223
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 224
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 225
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 226
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission 235
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
Electronic controlled transmission 237
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 237
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Traction control system 240
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 244
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 246
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 246
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Brake pad wear indicators 250
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 251
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . Limited ±slip differential
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Page 235 of 378
STARTING AND DRIVING
222
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the trunk lid or back door
closed. Have the cause immediately located and
corrected.BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to ºONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
Page 236 of 378

STARTING AND DRIVING
223
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
SS31002
ºSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to the
ºONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 225.
ºONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ºONº position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and theelectronic ignition system could be damaged.
ºACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off. If you leave the key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position and open
the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.*
NOTE: *The volume or interval of beep sound can be
changed. Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
SS31003
ºLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
Manual transmission: To turn the key from ºACCº to the
ºLOCKº position, you must push in the key.
Automatic transmission: To turn the key from ºACCº to the
ºLOCKº position you must put the transmission selector lever
in the ºPº position and you must push in the key.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set. See ºEngine immobiliser systemº on page
11 .