IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LEXUS
iv
Accessories, spare parts and modification of
your Lexus
A wide variety of non-genuine spare parts and accessories for
Lexus vehicles are currently available in the market. You
should know that Toyota does not warrant these products and
is not responsible for their performance, repair, or
replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse
effect they may have on, your Lexus vehicle.
This vehicle should not be modified with non-genuine Lexus
products. Modification with non- genuine Lexus products
could af fect its performance, safety or durability, and may even
violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or
performance pro blems resulting from the modification may not
be covered under warranty.
If you install any Genuine Accessories such as a bull-bar,
winch, etc., consult your Lexus dealer.
Spark ignition system of your Lexus
The spark ignition system in your Lexus meets all
requirements of the Canadian Interference- Causing
Equipment Standard.
Installation of a mobile two-way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two-way radio system in your
vehicle could affect electronic systems such as the multiport
fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system,
cruise control system, anti-lock brake system, SRS airbag
system and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to check
with your Lexus dealer for precautionary measures or special
instructions regarding installation.
Tires and loading on your Lexus
Underinflated or overinflated tire pressure and the
excess load may result in the deterioration of steering
ability and braking ability, leading to an accident.
Check the tire inflation pressure periodically and be
sure to keep the load limits given in this Owner's
Manual. For details about tire inflation pressure and
load limits, see pages 559 and 456.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Lexus contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped
with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left as they are,
this may cause an accident such as a fire. Be sure to have the
systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed
and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Lexus
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Finish
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
53
IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON...
DO THIS.
(f)or
Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
If brake system
warning light is also
on, stop immediately
and contact Lexus
dealer.
(g)Close all side doors
and back door.
(h)Shift four-wheel drive
control out of Nº.
(i)Stop and check.
(j)Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
IF THIS INDICATOR ORBUZZER COMES ON...DO THIS.
(k)Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(l)Stop and check.
(m)Stop and check.
(n)Replace engine oil.
(o)
Adjust tire inflation
pressure. If light
remains, contact
Lexus dealer.
(p)Fill up tank.
Finish
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
62
(n) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light reminds you when to replace the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ONº
and will go off after about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500 miles) after the
engine oil replacement, this light illuminates for about 3
seconds and then flashes for about 12 seconds with the
ignition key turned to ONº position. If you continue driving
without the engine oil replacement, and if the driving range
exceeds 8000 km (5000 miles), the light will come on after the
ignition key is turned to ONº position. The light will remain on
thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that you replace the
engine oil at an early opportunity depending on the driving and
road condition. If the light comes on, replace it as soon as
possible.
You need to reset the light after the engine oil replacement.
Reset the light by following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFFº position with the odometer
reading shown. (For details, see Odometer and trip meterº on
page 50.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the ONº position while holding down
the trip meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob until the light goes off. Before the light
goes off, it illuminates for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 second. If the system fails to reset, the light will remain flashing. In this
case, return to step 1 and try again.(o) Low Tire Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the tire pressure of one or more of your
tires
(including the spare tire) is low. The light comes on when
the ignition key is turned to the ONº position. It goes off after
a few seconds. This indicates that the tire pressure warning
system is functioning properly.
If the warning light comes on, stop your vehicle in a safe place
as soon as possible and check that the inflation pressure of all
tires (including the spare tire) is as specified on the tire and
loading information label. (See Checking tire inflation
pressureº on page 483.) The light should go off a few minutes
after the tire pressure is adjusted.
If the warning light blinks, the tire pressure warning system
may be malfunctioning. Contact your Lexus dealer.
For details, see Tire pressure warning systemº on page 369.
(p) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
STARTING AND DRIVING
419
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist system
judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down the brake pedal
firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking will be
applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
The brake assist system may not work for about 60 seconds
after the engine is started.
For an explanation of this system's warning light, see ABS
warning lightº on page 58.
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding-down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding-down.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
The tire pressure warning system is designed to provide
warning when tire inflation pressure of one or more of
your tires (including the spare tire) is low. The low tire
pressure warning light comes on to inform you that low
tire inflation pressure may hamper driving.
Low tire pressure warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ONº
position. It goes off after a few seconds. This indicates that the
tire pressure warning system is functioning properly.
STARTING AND DRIVING
420If the low tire pressure warning light comes on or blinks,
do the following.
If the warning light comes on:
Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible and
check that the inflation pressure of all tires (including the
spare tire) is as specified on the tire and loading
information
label. (See Checking tire inflation pressureº
on page 559.) If the warning light comes on even after tire
inflation pressure adjustment, you may have a flat tire. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with the spare tire. For
details, see If you have a flat tireº on page 469.
The warning light goes off a few minutes after air is put into the
deflated tire.
This warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as
natural air leaks or tire pressure changes caused by
temperature. In this case, adjusting the tire pressure will turn
off the warning light.
CAUTION
When the low tire pressure warning light comes on,
observe the following instructions:
Depending on the conditions, reduce to an
appropriate speed as soon as possible.
Adjust the tire pressure to the specified level as soon
as possible.
Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking. Tire deterioration may reduce steering
wheel control and brake effectiveness. This may lead
to serious injury or death.
The tire pressure warning system may not activate
immediately if sudden bursts of air leakage occur.
STARTING AND DRIVING
421
NOTICE
Do not use liquid sealants for a flat tire as air pressuresensors will be damaged.
When the tires must be repaired or replaced, havethem repaired or replaced by the nearest Lexusdealer or authorized tire dealer. The tire pressuresensors will be affected by the installation or removal
of tires.
The tire pressure warning system is not to be used as a substitute for regular inspections. Be sure to check
the air pressure in the tires on a regular basis.
When the tires must be replaced, replace the grommets for air pressure sensors as well.
If the warning light blinks:
The tire pressure warning system may be malfunctioning.
Contact your Lexus dealer.System malfunction
The tire pressure warning system does not function
properly under certain circumstances. In the following
cases, the low tire pressure warning light may not come
on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may come
on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
Electric devices or facilities using similar radio wave
frequencies are nearby.
A radio set to similar frequencies is in use.
A lot of snow or ice covers the vehicle, in particular, around
the wheels or wheel housings.
The tires are not equipped with an air pressure sensor.
Tire chains are used.
STARTING AND DRIVING
422
Non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
Although the tires are equipped with air pressure sensors,
the selector switch (see page 427.) is set to other tire setting.
CAUTION
The use of non-genuine wheels will cause the air
pressure sensors to transmit the electronic code in
different manner, resulting in the system failure.
The use of different type of tires with genuine wheels
may also cause the malfunction of the system.
CAUTION
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. You should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle's tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability. Each tire, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in the
vehicle placard and owner's manual.
DRIVING TIPS
454When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in Pº position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the 3º, 2º, Lº or Rº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicle-trailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep
or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden
downshifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking efficiency.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy Ð just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving Ð but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the Dº position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy.
(For details, see Automatic transmissionº on page 378.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
Avoid engine over-revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.