STARTING AND DRIVING
293
VARIABLE GEAR RATIO STEERINGSYSTEM
The variable gear ratio steering system adjusts the wheel
turning angle depending on the vehicle speed and how
much you turn the steering wheel.
The vehicle wheel turning angle will be changed with a smaller
degree of wheel maneuvering when you are driving at very low
speed such as when putting your vehicle into a garage.
In the following cases, to prevent the system from overheating,
the system could be temporarily deactivated with the change
in the center position of the steering wheel. This is not a
malfunction. After the cause of the problem is eliminated, the
system will return to normal automatically after a few minutes.
If you continue maneuvering the steering wheel when the
vehicle is stopped or running at very low speed
If you continue driving holding the steering wheel to the
extreme right or left
If you maneuver the steering wheel immediately after
starting the engine at less than about −30C (− 22F) While the system is not functioning, a larger degree of wheel
maneuvering is needed during driving at low speed. If the
center position of the steering wheel is changed frequently,
have your vehicle inspected at your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Take due care especially when driving at low speed as
the vehicle changes direction in greater proportion to
the steering wheel maneuvering.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery with the steering wheel
turned, or the center position of the steering wheel
could be slightly and temporarily changed. However,
after driving for a short while, the system will return to
normal
and the center position of the steering wheel will
be in the appropriate position.
The light will flash if you disconnect and reconnect the battery
terminal. This is because the system is reset temporarily.
However, it is no problem to drive. To turn off the light, drive for
a short while. The system will be set automatically and return
to normal.
STARTING AND DRIVING
294
Variable gear ratio steering system failure
warning
31x500b
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
variable gear ratio steering system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to “ON”
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the system is not working.
Although conventional steering operates when maneuvered,
a larger degree of wheel maneuvering (than at the time when
the system is functioning properly) is needed when driving at
low speed. At this time, the center position of the steering
wheel could be changed. Although it is no problem to continue
driving, have your vehicle repaired at your Lexus dealer. In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer.
The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to “ON”.
The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to “ON”.
The warning light comes on while driving.
STARTING AND DRIVING
300
31x608
Tire pressure warning light
The tire pressure warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes off after a few
seconds. This means the tire pressure warning light is
operating properly. If the tire inflation pressure becomes low,
the light comes on again. In this case, adjusting the tire
inflation pressure will turn off the light after a few minutes. If the
light blinks, the tire pressure warning system is not working
properly.
Indicator status
MeaningsDo this
ONTire inflation
pressure is lowAdjust the tire
inflation pressure
BlinkingTire pressure
warning system
malfunctionHave the system
checked at your
Lexus dealer
CAUTION
If the tire pressure warning light comes on, be sure to
observe the following precautions. Failure to do so
could cause loss of vehicle control and result in death
or serious injury.
Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after
tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that
you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest Lexus dealer.
Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle
tires deteriorate, you could lose control of the
steering wheel or the brakes.
STARTING AND DRIVING
301
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural
causes such as natural air l
eaks or tire inflation pressure
changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjusting the
tire inflation pressure will turn off the light.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch should not turn
off the tire pressure warning light. Adjusting the tire inflation
pressure will turn off the light.
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter. The tire pressure warning light will turn
on if the tire inflation pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire
goes flat, even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare
tire, the warning light does not turn off. Replace the spare tire
with the repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation
pressure. The tire pressure warning light will turn off after a few
minutes.
CAUTION
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label (tire
and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label (tire and load
information label), you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS–tire pressure warning system) that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light)
when one or more of your tires is significantly
under inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale (tire pressure warning light) illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. 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.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning
system) is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under inflation has not reached
the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light).
STARTING AND DRIVING
304For vehicles sold in U.S.A.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
NOTICE:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio / TV
technician for help.
FCC WARNING:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
For vehicles sold in Canada
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
STARTING AND DRIVING
305
Replacing tires and wheels
When replacing the tires and wheels, be sure to install tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters. ID codes on the tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters are registered on the
tire pressure warning ECU. When replacing a tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter, it is necessar y to register the ID
code of tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. Have the
ID code registered by your Lexus dealer.
If the ID code is not registered, the system will not work
properly. After about 1 hour, the tire pressure warning light
blinks to indicate a system malfunction.
NOTICE
When the tires or tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must be replaced, have them replaced by
your Lexus dealer. The tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters will be affected by the installation or
removal of tires.
Tire pressure warning reset switch
31x612
When initializing the system, the present tire inflation pressure
is stored as standard. The tire pressure warning system
determines decreased air pressure by comparing the present
and the standard tire inflation pressures. When you change
the set tire inflation pressure, it is necessary to initialize the tire
pressure warning system.
When rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and
rear tire inflation pressures.
When changing the tire inflation pressure by changing
traveling speed or load weight, etc.
When changing the tire size.
DRIVING TIPS
312
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUSCONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp −edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage such as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in “P”. If necessary, block
the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work saf ely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 263.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h
(85 mph) unless your vehicle has high speed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are high speed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
DRIVING TIPS
313
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are
wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer
stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when
the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will
not hold the vehicle securely.
If you drive through deep water over about 500 mm
(20 in.) in depth, put the vehicle height in the HI (High)
mode with the active height select switch and then
turn off the active height control suspension by
pushing the height control switch. Drive your vehicle
at 30 km/h (19 mph) or lower speed.OFF ROAD DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
When driving your vehicle off −road, please observe the
following precautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to
help prevent the closure of areas to off −road vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where off −road vehicles are
permitted to travel.
b. Respect private property. Get owner’s permission before
entering private property.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed. Honor gates, barriers
and signs that restrict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When conditions are wet,
driving techniques should be changed or travel delayed to
prevent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining to driving your
vehicle off −road, consult the following organizations.
State and Local Parks and Recreation Departments
State Motor Vehicle Bureau
Recreational Vehicle Clubs
U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management