Page 189 of 442
STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxv
When you push the rear window and outside rear view mirror
defogger switch, the heater panels in the outside rear view
mirrors
will quickly clear the mirror surface. (See “Rear window
and outside rear view mirror defogger switch” on page xliv.)
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 death
or serious injuries.
Since the mirror surfaces can get hot, do not touch
them when the rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch is on.
Power rear view mirror control
1Control switch2Master switch
To adjust the power rear view mirror, first place the master
switch at “L” (left) or “R” (right), and push the contro\
l
switch on the desired side.
The power rear view mirror can be adjusted when the key is in
the “ACC” or “ON” position.
Page 190 of 442
STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxviVehicles with driving position memory system —
When
the automatic transmission selector lever is shifted
into the “R” position with the master switch in the “L” or
“R” position, the rear view mirrors automatically down to
help backing up.
The mirrors return to the previous position in the following
operations.
Shift the transmission lever out of the “R” position.
Place the master switch in the neutral position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control
or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de icer to free the
mirror.
Folding rear view mirrors
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
compact areas.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be
extended and properly adjusted before driving.
Page 191 of 442

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxvii
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the rear of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Pushing the “MIRROR” switch changes the mode
between AUTO and DAY.
The indicator comes on when the AUTO mode is selected.
DAY mode: The mirror surface is normal.
AUTO 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 AUTO 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.
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 death or serious
injuries.
To ensure correct functioning of anti glare mirror sensors
located on both sides of the mirror, do not touch or cover
the sensors with your finger or a piece of cloth, etc.
Page 192 of 442

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxviii
Compass
The compass indicates the direction in which the vehicle
is heading. The illustration shown above indicates the
vehicle is heading north.
Push the “COMP” switch to turn the compass system on
and off.
If the ignition switch was turned off with the system on, the
system will automatically turn back on when the ignition switch
is turned on. Displays
Directions
N
NE E
SE S
SW W
NWNorth
Northeast East
Southeast South
Southwest West
Northwest
The compass may not show the correct direction in the
following conditions:
The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
The compass does not adjust while the vehicle is stopped.
The ignition switch is turned off immediately after turning.
The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is
subject to interference by artificial magnetic fields
(underground parking, under a steel tower, between
buildings, roof parking, near a crossing, near a large vehicle,
etc.).
The vehicle is magnetized. (There is a magnet or a metal
object on or near the inside rear view mirror.)
The battery has been disconnected.
Page 193 of 442

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxix
If your vehicle is out of the set zone, refer to “Calibrating the
compass” in this Section to set the zone number.
If the deviation is small, the compass works to calibrate the
direction automatically while the vehicle is in motion.
For additional precision or for complete calibrating, see
“Calibrating the compass” below.
If the direction is not indicated or the system does not operate
properly, contact your Lexus dealer.
Compass sensor
NOTICE
Do not put magnets or a metal object on or near the
inside rear view mirror of the vehicle. Doing so may
cause malfunction of the compass sensor in the mirror.
Calibrating the compass (deviation calibration)
The direction display on the compass deviates from the true
direction determined by the earth’s magnetic field. The angle
of deviation varies according to the geographic position of the
vehicle.
To adjust this deviation, stop the vehicle, then push and hold
the “COMP” switch until the zone number appears on the
display. Then push the “COMP” switch, referring to the
following map to select the number of the zone where the
vehicle is.
Page 273 of 442
STARTING AND DRIVING
cclix
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 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, seat cushion angle,
seat cushion height, head restraint height and steering wheel
angle.
3. Vehicles with power adjustable pedals — Adjust the position
of the accelerator and brake pedals.
4. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
5. Lock all doors.
6. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to “ON”, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
Page 281 of 442

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxvii
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear or third gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over rev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given above for your
reference.
“3” 133 km/h (82 mph). . . . . . . .
“2” 85 km/h (53 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
“L” 47 km/h (29 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
1Brake pedal2“R” (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
Vehicles with driving position memory system —
When the selector lever is shifted into the “R” position, the
outside rear view mirrors automatically down to help backing
up. For details, see page clxxv.
Page 307 of 442

DRIVING TIPS
ccxciii
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/
Scheduled Maintenance”.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pre towing safety check
Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an
abnormal nose −up or nose− down condition, and check for
improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other
possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it
cannot shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicle trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when
towing:
Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all
vehicle −trailer connections. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and connections. Practice
turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you learn the feel.
Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right
to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally
opposite to that when backing without a trailer.) Also, just
turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing
to reduce the risk of an accident.
Because stopping distance may be increased,
vehicle −to−vehicle distance should be increased when
towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow
at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the
vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid,
resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially
true on wet or slippery surfaces.