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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trai ler lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
● Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice Grip
the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move yo ur hand to the right to move the
trailer to right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a trailer
attached.) Avoid sharp or prolon ged turning. Have someone guide
you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
● As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
● Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, resulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
● Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
● Avoid jerky steering and sharp turn s, and slow down before making
turns.
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2-5. Driving information
●Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will ad versely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Periodically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but grad ually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehi cle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehi cles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
● In order to maintain efficient eng ine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in “4”.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C] when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the eng ine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off th e air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. (
P. 373)
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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
●Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the pa rking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in “P”. Avoi d parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do so
only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
● When restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the “P” position, start the engine. Be sure
to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into “3”, “2”, “L”, or “R” position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and br ake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
■To avoid an accident
●Do not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. A instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle-trailer combination increases
as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may cause loss of control.
●Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do
not make sudden downshifts.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too fre-
quently.
This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
STEP1STEP1
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2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing
NOTICE
■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the
ground) behind a motor home.
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Interior features3
161
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger ........... 162
Automatic air conditioning system (without navigation
system)......................................... 162
Rear cooler system .................... 168
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers........... 169
3-2. Using the audio system .......... 171 Audio system type ....................... 171
Using the radio ............................. 173
Using the CD player .................. 181
Playing MP3 and WMA discs .............................................. 188
Optimal use of the audio system .......................................... 194
Using the AUX adapter ........... 197
Using the steering switches ....................................... 198
3-3. Using the rear audio system .................................... 200
Rear seat entertainment system features ...................... 200
Using the DVD player (DVD video) ............................ 205
Using the DVD player (video CD) ................................. 212
Using the DVD player (audio CD/CD text)............... 214 Using the DVD player
(MP3 discs) ............................... 215
Using the video mode............... 217
Changing the initial setting .......................................... 218
3-4. Using the interior lights ....... 225 Interior lights list ........................ 225
3-5. Using the storage features .................................. 228
List of storage features ........... 228
3-6. Other interior features........ 233
Sun visors ..................................... 233
Vanity mirror ............................... 234
Clock.............................................. 235
Outside temperature display ......................................... 236
Ashtrays ........................................ 237
Cigarette lighter ........................ 238
Power outlet ................................ 239
Seat heaters .................................. 241
Armrest ......................................... 243
Floor mats .................................... 244
Luggage compartment features....................................... 245
Garage door opener............... 248
Compass ...................................... 253
Lexus Link System .................... 257
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3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system (without navigation system)
Using the automatic mode
Press .The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets
and fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the
temperature setting.
Press to increase the temperature and to decrease the tem-
perature on the .
The temperature for the driver and passenger seats can be set sepa-
rately.
Airflow and outlets are automatically adjusted according to the tempera-
ture setting.
Owners of models equipped with a navigation system should refer to the
“Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.
Automatic mode Driver’s side temperature display
Fan speed
Off
Airflow display
Passenger’s side temperature display
Changes the air outlets used
Driver's side temperature control Air conditioning ON/OFF switch
Outside air or
recirculated mode Winds hield defog ger
Passenger’s side temperature control
Fan speed display
Dual operation switch
STEP1
STEP2
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163
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
Adjusting the settings
■ Adjusting the temperature setting
Press to increase the temperature and to decrease the tempera-
ture on the .
Press (increase) or (decrease) on the to separately adjust the
temperature for the passenger and driver sides (dual mode). Press to
return the driver and passenger side temperatures to the same setting
(simultaneous mode).
The air conditioning system switches between dual and simultaneous
modes each time is pressed.
■ Adjusting the fan speed
Press (increase) or (decrease) on the button.
Press to turn the fan off.
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164
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
■Changing the air outlets
Press .
The air outlets switch each time the
button is pressed.
Air flows to the upper body.
Air flows to the upper body and
feet.
Air flows to the feet.
Air flows to the feet and the
windshield defogger operates.
■ Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between (recycles air inside the vehicle) and
(introduces air from outside the vehicle) modes each time the button
is pressed.