2006 LEXUS RX330 air suspension

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
167
The front seat belt pretensioner system mainly consists of the
above components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are activated, an
operating
noise may be heard and a small amount of non −toxic
gas may be released. This does not indicate that a fire is
occurring. This gas is normally harmless.
Once the front seat belt pretensioners have been activated, the
seat belt retractors remain locked.
CAUTION
 Do not modify, remove, strike or open the seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, airbag sensor or
surrounding area or wiring. Failure to follow these
instruction may prevent the seat belt pretensioners
from activating correctly, cause sudden operation of
the system or disable the system, which could result
in death or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer
about any repair and modification.
 Do not modify or change the suspension system.
Such changes may cause the curtain shield airbags
to inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury . Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
 Do not use tires or wheels other than the
manufacture’s recommended size. Such a use may
cause the curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally, which could
result in death or serious injury. For details, see
“Checking and replacing tires” on page 585.
 Do not place luggage heavier than specified on the
roof luggage carrier. Such luggage may cause the
curtain shield airbags and seat belt pretensioners to
inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury. For details, see “Roof luggage
carrier” on page 136.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
168
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the front seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD player
 Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies
 Modification of the suspension system
 Modification of the front end structure
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure or console
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the front seat belt pretensioners are operating
properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front passenger occupant classification system, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 74.)

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
178
Do not attach any heavy, sharp or hard objects such
as keys or accessories to the ignition key. The
objects may restrict the SRS knee airbag inflation or
be thrust into the driver’s seat area by the force of the
deploying airbag, thus causing a danger.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS front airbag
system in some cases.
 Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD player
 Modification of the suspension system
 Modification of the front end structure
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure, console, steering column, steering wheel,
lower portion of instrument panel or dashboard near
the front passenger airbag

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
189
Do not attach a microphone or any other device or
object around the area where the curtain shield
airbag activates such as on the windshield glass,
side door glass, front and rear pillars, roof side rail
and assist grips. When the curtain shield airbag
inflates, the microphone or other device or object will
be thrown away with great force or the curtain shield
airbag may not activate correctly, resulting in death
or serious injury.
 Do not hook a hanger , heavy or sharp pointed objects
on the coat hook. If the curtain shield airbag inflates,
those items will be thrown away with great force or
the curtain shield airbag may not activate correctly,
resulting in death or serious injury. When you hang
clothes, hang them on the coat hook directly.
 Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts
where the side airbags inflate. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
causing death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or upholstery of
the seats with side airbags. Such changes may
prevent the side airbag system from activating
correctly, disable the system or cause the side
airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or
serious injury.
 Do not disassemble or repair the front and rear pillars
and roof side rail containing the curtain shield
airbags. Such changes may disable the system or
cause the curtain shield airbags to inflate
accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or change the suspension system.
Such changes may cause the curtain shield airbags
to inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury . Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
 Do not use tires or wheels other than the
manufacture’s recommended size. Such a use may
cause the curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally, which could
result in death or serious injury. For details, see
“Checking and replacing tires” on page 585.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
190
Do not place luggage heavier than specified on the
roof luggage carrier. Such luggage may cause the
curtain shield airbags and seat belt pretensioners to
inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury. For details, see “Roof luggage
carrier” on page 136.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
If you wish to modify your vehicle for a person with a
physical disability, consult your Lexus dealer. It may
dangerously interfere with the SRS side airbags and
curtain shield airbags operation.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS side airbag
and curtain shield airbag system in some cases.
 Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD player
 Modification of the suspension system
 Modification of the structure of the passenger
compartment
 Repairs made on or near the console or front seat

SECTION 3 – 1
381
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic converters382
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 384
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch 385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Parking brake 387
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 388
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission (standard type) 389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission (multi −mode type) 398
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear view monitor system 408
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 412
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Dynamic laser cruise control 416
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronically modulated air suspension 437
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system (two− wheel drive models) 449
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system (four −wheel drive models) 453
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle stability control system 455
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 458
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Tire pressure warning system 462
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 465
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
437
(g) Conventional cruise control mode failure warning
If there is trouble in the conventional cruise control mode, the
“CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes, the
master warning light comes on and the alarm sounds, the
warning code “E3” will appear on the display.
If a system malfunction is detected when the conventional
cruise control mode is in the ready mode or operating, the
master warning light comes on, an alarm sounds and the
above code appears.
If this code appears, press the “ON
−OFF” button to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on. If the setting still
cannot be made or the same code appears again, the system
might have malfunctioned. Although there is no problem to
continue driving, please contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED AIR SUSPENSION
1Easy access mode switch
2Height control switch
3Height select switch

STARTING AND DRIVING
438This electronically modulated air suspension allows the
driver to
control the vehicle’s height in order to adjust for
driving conditions. Select your desired height among the
“HI” (high), “N” (normal) and “LO” (low) modes with the
height select switch.
You can turn on or off the easy access mode with the easy
access mode switch. If the engine is stopped when the easy
access mode is on, the vehicle height is lowered automatically.
(a) Vehicle height modes
Vehicle’s height mm (in.)
“N”
− 7.0 (0.3)
Vehicle speedkm/h (mph)
80
(50) 100
(62)

“N” (normal) mode
“N” (normal) mode: The vehicle’s height in this mode is
standard.
This mode is suitable for ordinary driving.
When the vehicle speed exceeds approximately 100 km/h (62
mph), the vehicle’s height automatically lowers about 7 mm
(0.3 in.) from normal height to provide better stability. When the
vehicle speed reduces to under approximately 80 km/h (50
mph), the vehicle’s height automatically returns to the normal
height.