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Normal driving mode
Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self− check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction. When the traction control system is operating, the following
conditions occur:
The system controls the spinning of the front wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to “ON”. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
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Traction control off mode
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push “TRAC OFF” switch.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will come on.
The vehicle stability control system is always activated, even
if the traction control system is turned off.
To turn on: Push “TRAC OFF” switch once again.
The “TRAC OFF” indicator light will go off.“TRAC OFF”
indicator light comes on for a few seconds when
the ignition key is turned to “ON”. It will come on again when
you push the “TRAC OFF” switch to turn off the system.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The indicator light does not come on when the ignition key
is turned to “ON”.
The indicator light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
The indicator light comes on with the normal driving mode
while driving.
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TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(four wheel drive modes)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of 4 wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to “ON”, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against 4 wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
Normal driving mode
Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self− check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.
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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.
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL
SYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as anti lock
brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the brakes and 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 is about more
than 15 km/h (9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the system is in the self −check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.
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BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub− systems. If either sub− system
should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be
harder to press, and your stopping distance will increase. Also,
the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power −assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There
is enough reserved vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your reserved
vacuum.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.
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Anti lock brake system
The anti lock brake system is designed to help prevent
lock up of the wheels during a sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in providing
directional stability and steering performance of the
vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti−lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti−lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti−lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site, joints
in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti −lock
brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds just after the vehicle begins to
move. This means that the anti −lock brake system is in the
self−check mode, and does not indicate a malfunction. When the anti lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system:
You may hear the anti −lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is
stopped.
At the end of the anti−lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little forward.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti lock brake system:
Although the anti lock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the anti lock
brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the anti lock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.
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Brake assist system
If you slam the brakes on such as in an emergency or
apply the brakes more firmly than usual such as when
descending the hill with the designated number of
occupants in the vehicle, the brake assist system
provides more powerful braking.
If you slam the brakes on or apply the brakes more firmly, more
powerful braking will be applied. At this time, you may hear a
sound in the engine compartment and feel the vibrations of the
brake pedal. This does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
For an explanation of this system’s warning light, see “ABS
warning light” on page 81 or 460.
TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM
The tire pressure warning system is designed to provide
warning when tire inflation pressure is critically low while
the vehicle is moving. The low tire pressure warning light
comes on to inform you that such low tire pressure may
hamper driving.
This system is not designed to operate when the vehicle is
stopped. Therefore, check the tire inflation pressure regularly.
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure, tire size and the
vehicle capacity weight are on the tire and loading information
label. (For instructions, see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
on page 570.)
Installed tires should be of the specified size. They should be
of the same size and construction. If tires other than the
specified size are used, or if tires of different sizes or
constructions are mixed, the tire pressure warning system will
not function properly.
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The tread wear is very different among the installed tires.
Rapid acceleration/deceleration or sharp turns is continue.
Towing a trailer.
The loading is over the limit or imbalanced.
Initialization was not performed correctly after replacing or
rotating tires or wheels.
The outside temperature is below 0 C (32F) or above
40 C (104 F).
CAUTION
When the tire pressure warning light comes on, observe
the following instructions:
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level
as soon as possible.
Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking when the tire pressure warning light comes
on. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes, causing
death or serious injury.
Tire pressure warning system reset switch
The tire pressure warning system need to be initialized in
the following conditions:
When the low tire pressure warning light blinks twice
every second
After replacing or rotating tires or wheels
When initializing the system, the present tire condition is
stored as a standard.
To initialize the system, perform the following:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the parking brake.
Stop the engine.
2. Adjust the pressure of all the installed tires to the specified
level. (See “Tires and wheels” on page 566.)
3. Turn the ignition key to “ON”.
