Page 184 of 668

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
163
1Front airbag sensors
2Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
3Front passenger occupant classification system(ECU and sensors)
4SRS warning light
5Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch
6Airbag sensor assembly
The front seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the
above components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are activated, an
operating noise may be heard and a small amount of non±toxic
gas may be released. This does not indicate that a fire is
occurring. This gas is normally harmless. Once
the front seat belt pretensioners have been activated, the
seat belt retractors remain locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open the seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, airbag sensor or
surrounding area or wiring. Failure to follow these
instruction may prevent the seat belt pretensioners
from activating correctly, cause sudden operation of
the system or disable the system, which could result
in death or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer
about any repairs and modifications.
Do not modify or change the suspension system.
Such changes may cause the curtain shield airbags
to inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
Do not use tires or wheels other than the
manufacture's recommended size. Such a use may
cause the curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally, which could
result in death or serious injury. For details, see
ªChecking and replacing tiresº on page 589.
Page 211 of 668

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
190
Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts
where the side airbags infla te. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
causing death or serious injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats or upholstery of
the seats with side airbags. Such changes may
prevent the side airbag system form activating
correctly, disable the system or cause the side
airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or
serious injury.
Do not disassemble or repair the front and rear pillars
and roof side rails containing the curtain shield
airbags. Such changes may disable the system or
cause the curtain shield airbags to inflate
accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
Do not modify or change the suspension system.
Such changes may cause the curtain shield airbags
to inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
Do not use tires or wheels other than the
manufacture's recommended size. Such a use may
cause the curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally, which could
result in death or serious injury. For details, see
ªChecking and replacing tiresº on page 589.
Page 252 of 668

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
231
Automatic tilt±away steering column*
When the ignition key is removed, the steering column
moves forward away from the driver and also tilts up for
easy exit and entry.
When the key is inserted in the ignition switch, the steering
column returns to the previously set position.
NOTE: * This feature can be deactivated. Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the side of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or distance of any object seen
in the outside rear view mirror on the passenger's side
because it is a convex mirror. Any object seen in a convex
mirror will look smaller and farther away than if seen in a normal
flat mirror.
When you push the outside rear view mirror defogger switch,
the heater panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly
clear the mirror surface. (See ªOutside rear view mirror
defogger switchº on page 47.)
The rear view mirrors are rain clearing mirrors that clear the
driver's rear view when it rains. (For details, see ªRain clearing
mirrorsº on page 638.)
Page 454 of 668

STARTING AND DRIVING
433
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
integrated control of the systems such as anti±lock brake
system, traction control, engine control, etc. This system
automatically controls the output of the brakes or engine
to help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering
on a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed about more than
15 km/h (9mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
begins to move. This means that the system is in the
self±check mode, but does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the vehicle stability
control system. Even if the vehicle stability control
system is operating, you must always drive carefully
and attentively to avoid serious injury. Reckless
driving will result in an unexpected accident. If the
slip indicator light blinks and an alarm sounds,
special care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle
stability control system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels, contact your
Lexus dealer.
In situations where the road surface is covered with
ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light blinks and an alarm sounds intermittently. Special care
should be taken while driving.
Page 465 of 668

STARTING AND DRIVING
444
Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting
in a longer stopping distance.ªABSº warning light
1U.S.A.2Canada
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ªONº
position. If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system, the brake
assist system, the active traction control system and the
vehicle stability control system do/does not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system does not
operate so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces.
Page 478 of 668
STARTING AND DRIVING
457
LIMITED±SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
Your Lexus is equipped with a limited±slip center differential
(transfer).
If one wheel Ð either front or rear Ð begins to spin, the transfer
(limited±slip center differential) is designed to aid traction by
automatically transmitting driving force to the wheels on the
other drive axle. It transmits driving force to the front wheels
if a rear wheel spins, and to the rear wheels if a front wheel
spins.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by a jack. The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or result in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a spare tire of the same size, construction and
load capacity as the original tires on your Lexusbecause damage to the limited±slip differential couldpossibly occur with another tire type.
Page 495 of 668
DRIVING TIPS
474
NOTICE
Do not use axle±mounted hitches as they can causedamage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels ortires. Also, never install a hitch which may interfere with
the normal function of an Energy Absorbing Bumper.
Trailer ball
Follow these easy steps to properly determine the correct
trailer ball for your application:
1. Determine the correct trailer ball size for the trailer coupler.
Most couplers are stamped with the required trailer ball size.
The sizes you'll most likely find stamped on the coupler are:
Trailer Class
Typical Trailer Ball Size
III 2 in.
II 2 in.
I 1 7/8 in.
2. Select the appropriate trailer ball to match or exceed the
gross trailer weight rating of the trailer. The trailer ball load
rating should be printed on the top of the ball.
1Trailer ball load rating
2Ball diameter
3Shank length
4Shank diameter
Page 591 of 668
CHASSIS
570Ð CHASSIS LUBRICATION
Propeller shafts Spiders
Slide yoke
Lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2
Molybdenum±disulfide lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2 or
lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2
Ð STEERING
Free play
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
Ð TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire size
P265/65R17 110S
Tire inflation pressure Recommended cold tire inflation
pressure
220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
Wheel size17 7 1/2 JJ
Wheel nut torque112 N´m (11.5 kgf´m, 83 ft´lbf)
NOTE:
For complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wh\
eels), see ªChecking tire inflation pressureº
through ªAluminum wheel precautionsº on pages 574 through 597.