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85
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
●When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is posi-
tioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away
from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder. Failing to
do so may result in death or serious inju ry in the event of an accident or sudden
braking.
●Ensure the belt and tab are securely locked and that the seat belt is not twisted.
●Push and pull the child seat in different directions to be sure it is secure.
●Follow all installation instructions provid ed by the child restraint system manufac-
turer.
■Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when inst alling a child restraint system, the seat belt
will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause death or serious
injury to the child or other passengers in the event of a collision.
●When installing a child restraint system in
the third center position, set the both seat-
backs to the same an gle. Otherwise, the
child restraint system cannot be properly
secured.
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86
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
■To correctly attach a child restraint system to the anchorages
●When using the lower anchorages, be sure that there are no foreign objects
around the anchorages and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child seat.
Make sure the child restraint system is se curely attached, or it may cause death or
serious injury to the child in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
●When using the left side lower anchorages
for the child restraint system, do not sit in
the center seat. Seat belt function may be
impaired, such as being positioned overly
high or loose-fitting, which may result in
death or serious injury in the event of a col-
lision.
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When driving2
87
2-1. Driving procedures ................. 88Driving the vehicle ...................... 88
Starting the engine ...................... 95
Automatic transmission ............. 98
Turn signal lever ........................... 101
Parking brake ............................... 102
2-2. Instrument cluster................... 103 Gauges and meters .................. 103
Indicators and warning lights.............................................. 105
Trip information display............ 108 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers.................... 111
Headlight switch............................ 111
Fog light switch ............................. 113
Windshield wipers and washer ........................................... 114
Rear window wiper and washer ........................................... 117
2-4. Using other driving systems ..................................... 118
Cruise control ............................... 118
Four-wheel drive system ........... 121
Rear height control air suspension ................................ 123
Electronic modulated suspension .................................. 129
DAC (Downhill Assist Control system) ....................... 130
Driving assist systems............... 132
2-5. Driving information................ 135 Off-road precautions ............... 135
Cargo and luggage................... 140
Vehicle load limits ...................... 144
Winter driving tips ..................... 146
Trailer towing................................ 150
Dinghy towing ............................. 160
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88
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep inclineFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving.
■ Starting the engine ( P. 9 5 )
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to “D”. (P. 9 8 )
Release the parking brake. ( P. 1 0 2 )
Gradually release the brake peda l and gently push the accel-
erator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the
shift lever to “P” or “N”. ( P. 9 8 )
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in “D”, push the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. ( P. 1 0 2 )
Shift the shift lever to “P”. ( P. 9 8 )
Turn the ignition switch to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your per-
son.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
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89
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■Breaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended to
observe:
●For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
●For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
●For the first 600 miles (1000 km):
• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
• Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (P. 3 8 0 )
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90
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running.
This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”.
Doing so may cause the engine not to oper ate or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the back door is closed.
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and eventu-
ally, death. Have the cause of the problem inspected immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “P”, “R” or “N” while the
vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission and may result in a
loss of vehicle control.
●Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to an
accident.
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if the
engine is off.
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91
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (P. 100)
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or skid when
downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
death or serious injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the
tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
●If you drive through deep water over ab out 20 in. (500 mm) in depth, put the
vehicle height in the “HI” mode using the active height select switch and then turn
off the active height control suspension by pushing the height control switch.
Drive your vehicle at 19 mph (30 km/h) or less.
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92
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may accelerate sud-
denly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the engine is running to prevent an
accident caused by the vehicle moving.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun.
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic
material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of
the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical com-
ponents.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P”, stop the engine and
lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattend ed while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately after
turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build up, or where snow is
expected to fall.
Exhaust gases may enter the vehicle and cause gas poisoning.