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STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
182
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
SL16013
Type A 1Day 2Night
When driving at night, pull the lever toward you to reduce
the glare from the headlights of vehicles behind you.
Before adjusting the mirror to the position with most clarity,
push the day-night change lever forward (daylight driving
position).
Remember that by reducing glare you also lose some rear view
clarity.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle
and an accident may occur resulting in personal death
or injuries.
SV16128
Type B
Adjust the m irror so that you can just see the rear of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Pushing the switch changes the mode between ºAUTOº
and ºDAYº.
The indicator comes on when the ºAUTOº mode is selected.
ºDAYº mode: The mirror surface is normal.
ºAUTOº mode: If the mirror detects light from the
headlights of the vehicle behind you, the mirror surface
darkens slightly to reduce the reflected light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the outside
rear view mirror surfaces will also become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the inside rear
view mirror always turns on in the ºAUTOº mode.
When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a little
longer for the mirror to darken in response to the detection of
headlights.
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AIR CONDITIONING
190
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
SV21019
You can adjust the brightness of the display. See
ºInstrument panel light controlº on page 58 for details.
The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains
the set temperature.
In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioning selects
the most suitable fan speed, air flow, air intake and on-off of
the air conditioning according to the temperature.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the air conditioning on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.
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AUDIO
208
Using your audio system: some basics
This section describes some of the basic features of the Lexus
audio system. Some information may not pertain to your
system.
Your audio system works when the ignition key is in the ºACCº
or ºONº position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the car audio on longer than necessary when theengine is not running.
(a) Turning the system on and off
SV22067
Push this knob to turn the audio system on and off. Turn
this knob to adjust the volume.
The system turns on in the last mode used.
SV22068
Push ºAMº, ºFMº, ºT APEº or ºDISCº to turn on that mode.
The selected mode turns on directly.
Push these buttons if you want to switch from one mode to
another.
If the tape or disc is not set, the cassette player or compact disc
player does not turn on.
You can turn off the cassette player by ejecting the cassette
tape. If the audio system was previously off, then the entire
audio system will be turned off when you eject the cassette
tape. If another function was previously playing, it will come on
again.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
234
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.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
235
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
SS31002
ºSTARTº - Starter motor on. The key will return to the
ºONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 237.
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 immobilizer system is
automatically set. See ºEngine immobilizer systemº on page
12.
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Page 251 of 420

STARTING AND DRIVING
236When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ºLOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ºACCº.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the vehicle is moving, as
this will lock the steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
PARKING BRAKE
SV31017
To set: Pull up the lever. For better holding power, first
depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting the
parking brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1) , press the lock
release button (2), and lower (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is set, the parking brake
reminder light in the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
237
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3.Manual transmission : Press the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the transmission into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal
to the floor until the engine is started. A starter safety device
will prevent the starter from operating if the clutch pedal is not
fully depressed.
Automatic transmission : 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. For automatic transmission only :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:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when the engine starts. Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up drive with smoothly turning engine until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.
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 281.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checked immediately.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
238
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of ºPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ºONº
position. ()
SV31020
The shift position is displayed on the instrument
cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
M: Position for manual shifting up or downshifting
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from º5º to º4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 251.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking
03 07.09