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(a) Normal driving
G31022
1“P” (Park) position 2“N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “Operating the engine
switch” on page 348.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N” position. The engine wi\
ll
not start in any drive position even if engine switch is pushed
while the brake pedal is depressed.
G31023
1 Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the normal
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select power, normal or snow mode to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends
that you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the power position.
In the power mode, the “ECT PWR” light in the instrument
cluster is on and the most suitable shift pattern is selected
depending on the driver’s operation of accelerator and brake
pedal and on the vehicle condition. See “Automatic shifting
point change control” on page 363.
For snow mode, see “Electronic Throttle Control System”
on page 371.
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G31024
1Brake pedal 2“D” (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Shifting into the overdrive gear is possible when the
transmission is in any position of “D”, “6” (six range), “\
5” (fifth
range) of “S” position. However, while the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even in the above specified position. (See “(c)
Using engine braking” and “(f) Good driving practice” for
exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(c) Using engine braking”.
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CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.
(d) Backing up
G31028
1Brake pedal 2“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.
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When the selector lever is shifted into the “R” position, the
outside rear view mirrors automatically down to help backing
up. For details, see “Power rear view mirror control” on page
210.
Vehicles with rear view monitor system: When the selector
lever is shifted into the “R” position with the engine switch in
“IG−ON” mode, rear view monitor system will activate. For
instructions, see “Rear view monitor system” on page 395.
(e) Parking
G31029
1
Parking brake pedal 2Brake pedal
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into “P” under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
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(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 496.
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ELECTRONIC THROTTLECONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
G31023
1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
normal, power and snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use this mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving. In the power mode, the “ECT PWR” light in the instrument
cluster is on and the most suitable shift pattern is selected
depending on the driver’s operation of accelerator and brake
pedal and on the vehicle condition. See “Automatic shifting
point change control” on page 363.
To return to the normal mode, push the
driving pattern selector
switch lightly on the “SNOW” side.
Snow mode: For slippery road surfaces such as in snow. In
this mode, the spinning of the rear wheels is controlled
appropriately.
When you push the driving pattern selector switch on the
“SNOW” side, the snow mode is turned on and the ”ECT
SNOW” light in the instrument cluster comes on.
To return to the normal mode, push the driving pattern selector
switch on the “SNOW” side again.
When you turn the engine switch off in the snow mode, the
electronic throttle control system automatically changes to the
normal mode.
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CAUTION
To avoid an accident or injury, observe the following
instructions, and then drive slowly using the brakes
while confirming a safe distance around your vehicle
with your eyes.
The sensor detection range is limited around the
bumper. Be sure to confirm safety outside sensor
detection with your eyes. For the sensor detection
range, see page 383.
It might take time for the sensors to detect the
obstacle.
Depending on the shape of the obstacle, indicators or
beeps may not warn you properly, and the detection
range may also be shortened.
It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume
of audio or air flow noise of air conditioning.
Dual sensors
G31054
(A) Collision will be unavoidable: Collision with the
detected obstacle cannot be avoided even by changing the
steering.
(B) Collision will be avoided by changing the steering:
Collision with the obstacle can be avoided by changing the
steering.
(C) Collision will be avoide d with the present steering
angle: Even if you continue moving at the present steering
angle, the distance to the obstacle within sensor detection
range will not be less than about 25 cm (0.8 ft.).
The dual sensors detect an obstacle in front of the vehicle
or at an angle to the front of the vehicle, and estimate the
distance to the obstacle and also the steering angle
required. They will evaluate which of the above 3
conditions is applicable.
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Numerous obstacles are detected on the front
and rear of the vehicle simultaneously
G31060
When obstacles are detected on the front and rear of the
vehicle at the same time; the multi information display
and screen illuminate their relevant indicator bars. And
beeps are as follows:
1Obstacles detected on the front and rear of the
vehicle are not in areas where continuous beeping
should sound: The warning for the obstacle closer to the vehicle will be
issued.
The above illustration indicates the obstacle detected
by the back sensors is closer to the vehicle. So, the warning for
the obstacle detected by the back sensors will be given.
2 The obstacle detected on the front or rear of the
vehicle is in an area where continuous beeping
should sound:
If the possibility of collision with the obstacle is high as shown,
the system warns the driver by continuous beeping (repeating
6 intermittent beeps and one longer beep as one cycle).
3 Both obstacles detected on the front and rear of the
vehicle are in areas where continuous beeping
should sound:
If the possibility of collision with the obstacles is very high as
shown, the system warns the driver by continuous beeping
(repeating 2 quick beeps and one longer beep as one cycle).
CAUTION
It might be difficult to hear beeps due to the volume of
audio or air flow noise of air conditioning. To avoid an
accident or injury, drive slowly using the brakes while
confirming a safe distance around your vehicle with
your eyes.