2006 LEXUS RX330 Owners Manual

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404
Shift into the “2” (second range) position. The transmission
will downshift to second gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than 83 km/h (52 mph) and more powerful
engine braking than that of the “3” (third range) position will
be enabled.
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “ −” position
twice to select “2” (second range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “− ” position to select “2” (second range).
 Shift into the “1” (first range) position. The transmission will
downshift to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than 39 km/h (24 mph) and maximum engine braking
will be enabled.
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and shift the lever down to the “ −” position
three times to select “1” (first range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “− ” position to select “1” (first range).
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to skid or spin.

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405
(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 shift lever is shifted into “R” position, the outside rear
view mirrors automatically down to help backing up. For
details, see page 231. Vehicles with rear view monitor system —
When the selector lever is shifted into “R” position with the
ignition switch in the “ON” position, rear view monitor system
will
activate. For instructions, see “Rear view monitor system”
on page 408.

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406
(e) Parking
1Brake pedal2 Parking brake pedal
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake 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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407
(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 into the “S” position. Be sure to shift
the selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive (fifth) gear.
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 524.

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408
(h) Driving in snow mode
Use this mode when starting your vehicle in ice or snow.
To set the snow mode, push the switch. In the “ECT SNOW”
indicator on the instrument cluster is on. To cancel the snow
mode, push the switch again. The “ECT SNOW” indicator light
will go off when the snow mode is cancelled.
If the engine is turned off with the snow mode is on, the snow
mode is cancelled when the engine is restarted.
REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM
The rear view monitor system assists the driver by
displaying an image of the rear of the vehicle while
backing up. The displayed image on the screen is a
horizontally reversed mirror image of the inside rear view
mirror.
To display the rear view image on the screen, place the
selector lever in the “R” position when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
If you move the selector lever out of the “R” position, the screen
returns to the previous screen. Operating another function of
the navigation system will display another screen.
The rear view monitor system is a supplemental device
intended to assist back up. When backing up, be sure to check
behind and all around the vehicle visually.

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CAUTION
Never depend on the rear view monitor system
entirely when backing up. Always make sure your
intended path is clear.
Use caution just as you would when backing up any
vehicle.
 Never back up while looking only at the screen. The
image on the screen is different from actual
conditions. Depicted distances between objects and
flat surfaces will differ from actual distances. If you
back up while looking only at the screen, you may hit
a vehicle, a person or an object. When backing up, be
sure to check behind and all around the vehicle
visually and with mirrors before proceeding.
 Do not use the system when the back door is not
completely closed.
 If the back of the vehicle is hit, the position and
mounting angle of the camera may change. Be sure
to have the camera’s position and mounting angle
checked at your Lexus dealer.
 If the temperature changes rapidly , such as when hot
water is poured on the vehicle in cold weather, the
system may not operate normally.
 If the camera lens becomes dirty, it cannot transmit
a clear image. If water droplets, snow, or mud adhere
to the lens, rinse with water and wipe with a soft cloth.
If the lens is extremely dirty, wash it with a mild
cleanser and rinse.
 Use your own eyes to confirm the vehicle’s
surroundings, as the displayed image may become
faint or dark, and moving images will be distorted, or
not entirely visible when the outside temperature is
low. When backing up, be sure to check behind and
all around the vehicle visually and with mirror before
proceeding.

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410AREA DISPLAYED ON SCREEN
Image is displayed approximately level on screen.
Check surroundings for safety.

Corners of bumper

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The area covered by the camera is limited. Objects
which are close to either corner of the bumper or under
the bumper cannot be seen on the screen.
 The area displayed on the screen may vary according
to vehicle orientation or road conditions. THE REAR VIEW MONITOR SYSTEM CAMERA
The rear view monitor system camera is located on the back
door as shown in the illustration. The camera uses a special
lens. The distance of the image that appears on the screen
differs from the actual distance.
In the following cases, it may become difficult to
see the images
on the screen, even when the system is functioning.
 In the dark (for example, at night)
 When the temperature near the lens is extremely high or low
 When water droplets are adhering to the camera, or when
humidity is high (for example, when it rains)
 When foreign matter (for example, snow or mud) adheres
to the camera lens
 When the sun or the beam of headlights is shining directly
into the camera lens