2006 LEXUS RX330 Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
444
(d) Selecting the easy access mode
1Easy access mode switch
2Easy access mode indicator light
To select the easy access mode, push the easy access
mode switch. The easy access mode indicator light
comes on.
When the engine is stopped, the vehicle height changes
automatically to the easy access mode. The indicator light
blinks while the height changes. When the vehicle height
reaches the easy access mode, the indicator light turns off.
This mode is available when “N” or “LO” mode is selected.
When the engine is restarted in the easy access mode, the
easy access mode indicator light blinks. When the vehicle
begins to run or you push the height select switch to change the
mode, the indicator light will remain on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8
mph) in the easy access mode, the “N” (normal) mode is
automatically selected.
The “N” indicator light blinks while the vehicle height changes.
When the vehicle’s height reaches the “N” mode, the indicator
light remains on.
To cancel the easy access mode, push the easy access mode
switch once again. The indicator light will turn off.
When
the engine is restarted after being stopped, easy access
mode is cancelled and “N” (normal) mode is automatically
selected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
445
1Higher2Lower
3Height control indicator lights
 Changing the mode
You can change the easy access mode to the “LO”, “N” or “HI”\
mode when the engine is running.
To change easy access mode to “LO” mode: Push the
height select switch on the “ ” (higher) side once.
To change easy access mode to “N”mode: Push the height
select switch on the “ ” (higher) side twice.
In the following cases, the vehicle’s height is automatically
changed to “N” (normal) mode.
 The vehicle speed exceeds approximately 12 km/h (8 mph).
 The engine is restarted and the easy access mode is
canceled. To change easy access
mode to “HI” mode: Push the height
select switch on the “ ” (higher) side for three times.
The “LO”, “N” or “HI” indicator light blinks while the\
vehicle’s
height changes. When the vehicle’s height reaches the “LO”,
“N” or “HI” mode, the indicator light remains on.
If the vehicle’s height is changed frequently, the raising or
lowering will take longer than usual. There is no problem in the
electronically modulated air suspension.
CAUTION
If you select easy access mode, check under the vehicle
to make sure nothing that could damage the vehicle or
no one who could be injured is there and that the
underbody of the vehicle does not touch the ground
before the engine is stopped.

STARTING AND DRIVING
446
(e) Turning off the electronically modulated airsuspension
1Height control switch
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
To turn off the electronically modulated air suspension
with the vehicle stopped, push the height control switch.
The height control “OFF” indicator light comes on and the
vehicle height is fixed in the same mode as was last
selected.
This status is maintained in the system even after the engine
is stopped.
If you push the switch again, the height control “OFF” indicator
light goes out and the electronically modulated air suspension
is turned on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds 30 km/h (19 mph), the
height control “OFF” indicator light goes out and the
electronically modulated air suspension turns on
automatically.
CAUTION

If you drive through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water
and the firmness of the bottom of the river bed then
put the vehicle height into “HI” mode with the height
select switch and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension by pushing the height
control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30 km/h (19
mph) or slower and avoid deep water.
 When jacking up, installing tire chains or tying your
vehicle with chains or wires for transportation by a
flat bed, be sure to turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension with the height control
switch and stop the engine. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle height
in the “N” mode and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.

STARTING AND DRIVING
447
If your vehicle gets ditched, turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension with the height control
switch. Otherwise, the automatic leveling function
may cause the vehicle height to change, possibly
resulting in further damage to the vehicle.
 When disconnecting a trailer, put the vehicle height
in the “LO” mode and push the height control switch
to turn off the electronically modulated air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may be
changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting
in unexpected accident.(f) Height control failure warning
1Height control indicator lights
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
3Easy access mode indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned on, all the indicator lights
come on. Only the indicator light showing the present mode
remains on and all other lights go off after a few seconds. This
means the system is operating correctly.

STARTING AND DRIVING
448In the following cases, there is a problem somewhere in the
electronically
modulated air suspension, in which case the “N”
mode is automatically selected. Although there is no problem
to continue driving normally, have the electronically modulated
air suspension checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned on.
 The height control “OFF” indicator light blinks.
(g) Operating noise of the electronically
modulated air suspension
You may hear an operating noise in the following cases. There
is no problem in the electronically modulated air suspension.
Selecting vehicle height with the height select switch
 Adjusting vehicle height according to the number of
occupants or the luggage load
 Changing vehicle height by selecting the easy access mode
when the engine is stopped
 Changing vehicle height by selecting the easy access mode
when the vehicle speed exceeds 12 km/h (8 mph)
 Changing the vehicle height by selecting the “HI” mode
when the vehicle speed exceeds 50 km/h (31 mph) or
driving at a speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) for 10 seconds or
more
 Lowering the vehicle’s height automatically when the
vehicle is moving at high speed
 Returning the vehicle height after high speed driving

STARTING AND DRIVING
449
(h) Parking and stopping tips
If you immediately stop the engine to park the vehicle after
off−road driving, the vehicle height is lowered slightly as the
vehicle becomes cool. When parking, make sure there is
nothing that will be in contact with the underbody of the vehicle.
If the “HI” (high) mode is selected when you start the engine,
the vehicle returns to the “HI” (high) height. If the “LO” (\
low) or
“N” (normal) mode is selected when you start the engine, the
vehicle height is change to “N” (normal) mode.
If you park the vehicle for a long time, the vehicle height may
be gradually lowered. When parking for a long time, make sure
there is nothing that will be in contact with the underbody of the
vehicle. If the “HI” (high) mode is selected when you start the
engine, the vehicle returns to the “HI” (high) height. If the “LO”\
(low) or “N” (normal) mode is selected when you start the
engine, the vehicle height is change to “N” (normal) mode.
If you stop the engine, the vehicle height may change in
accordance with the change in the temperature. When you
start the engine, the vehicle returns to the “HI” (high) height.\
If the “LO” (low) or “N” (normal) mode is selected when \
you
start the engine, the vehicle height is change to “N” (normal)
mode.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(twowheel drive models)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of front 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 front 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
450
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
451
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.