2006 LEXUS RX330 engine

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399
Correct
use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in “S” mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(h) Driving in snow mode
(a) Normal driving
1“P” (Park) position2 “N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 388.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N” position. The engine wi\
ll
not start in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned
to “START”.

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1Brake pedal 2 “D” (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D” position.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. In this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the “D” position. (See “(c) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. 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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402“3” (third range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between first and third gears according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. This range is best used when
stronger engine braking is necessary.
“2” (second range): First or second gear will automatically
be selected according to vehicle speed and driving
conditions. This range is to be used when engine braking
stronger than that of the “3” (third range) position is
necessary.
“1” (first range): This gear is fixed in first regardless of
vehicle
speed or driving conditions. This range is to be used
when maximum engine braking is necessary.
If you attempt to downshift the transmission when it is not
possible to downshift due to high vehicle speed, a warning tone
sounds twice. 
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower traffic, maximum
acceleration may be necessary. Make sure you observe the
following maximum allowable speeds in each range:
range km/h (mph)1 51 (32)
2 92 (58)
3 144 (90)
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going faster than the
maximum allowable speed for the next lower range.
 “S” mode indicator light
“S” mode allows you to use the shift range positions.
The “S” mode indicator light comes on when the selector
lever is shifted into the “S” position. When the “S” mode
indicator light does not come on even with the selector lever
moved to the “S” position, there may be a problem
somewhere in the system. Have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
In this case, you can drive in the same condition as in the “D”
position.

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(c) Using engine braking
“S” mode position
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the range in
the “S” mode position as follows:
 Shift into the “4” (fourth range) position. The transmission
will downshift to fourth gear and engine braking will be
engaged.
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position and “4” (fourth range) will automatically\
be
selected.
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “ −” position by selecting the “4” (fourth range). Vehicles with the cruise control —
When
the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth range)\
, engine
braking will not be enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see page 415.
Vehicles with the dynamic laser cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used in the conventional
(fixed speed) cruise control mode or in the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode, even if you
downshift from “D” or “5” (fifth range) to “4” (fourth range),
engine braking will not be enabled because the cruise
control is not cancelled. For vehicle speed reduction, see
pages 427 and 436.
 Shift into the “3” (third range) position. The transmission will
downshift to third gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than 129 km/h (81 mph) and more powerful
engine braking will be enabled.
If you drive in the “D” position: Shift the selector lever to
the “S” position then shift the lever down to the “ −” position
once to select the “3” (third range).
If you drive in the “S” position: Shift the selector lever
down to the “ −” position to select “3” (third range).

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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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(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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(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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Check surroundings for safety.
If a bright light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle
body) is picked up by the camera, the smear effect* peculiar to
the camera may occur.
*: Smear effect — A phenomenon that occurs when a bright
light (for example, sunlight reflected off the vehicle body) is
picked up by the camera; when transmitted by the camera, the
light source appears to have a vertical streak above and below
it.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control is designed to maintain a set cruising
speed without requiring the driver to operate the
accelerator. Cruising speed can be set to any speed above
40 km/h (25 mph).
Within the limits of the engine’s capabilities, cruising speed can
be maintained up or down grades. However, changes in
vehicle speed may occur on steeper grades.
CAUTION
 To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snowcovered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.