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2-4. Using other driving systems
■The center differential lock/unlock button can be operated when
●The ignition switch is in the “ON” position, and
●The four-wheel drive control lever is in the “H” or “L” position.
■Locking/unlocking the center differential
●When the center differential is locked, VSC is automatically turned off. (The
center differential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator lights come on.)
●If the operation is not completed, the center differential lock indicator blinks. If
the indicator light does not go off when unlocking the center differential, drive
straight ahead while accelerating or decelerating, or drive in reverse.
●If center differential lock system oper ation is not completed within 5 seconds
while the cruise control system is set, cancel the cruise control system.
CAUTION
■While driving
Never move the four-wheel drive control lever if the wheels are slipping. Doing so
may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the center differential
●Unlock the center differential after the wh eels are out of the ditch or off the loose
or bumpy surface.
●Do not push the center differential lock/u nlock button when the vehicle is corner-
ing or when its wheels are spin ning freely off the ground.
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132
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces or
in the event of sudden braking.
■BA (Brake Assist)
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ Active traction control
Maintains drive power and prevents the 4 wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■Hill-start assist control
Helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting on an
incline or slippery slope. It operates for approximately 5 seconds at maxi-
mum.
■ LSD (Limited Slip Differential)
Transfers drive power to the rear tires when front tires spin, and vice versa,
in order to improve traction.
■KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) (if equipped)
KDSS helps to significantly enhance handling response by reducing roll
stiffness of the suspension stabilizer bars through means of a hydraulic
control system.
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2-5. Driving information
CAUTION
■Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious personal
injury or damage to your vehicle:
●Drive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
●Do not grip the steering wheel spokes wh en driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
●Always check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
●After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
●When driving off-road or in rugged te rrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
■To prevent the water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur.
●Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
●Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
●Water can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.
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152
2-5. Driving information
■Tow hitch receiver
A tow hitch receiver installed
under the rear bumper is rated for
weight that does not exceed the
vehicle’s total towing weight.
Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application. Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer cou-
pler. Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diam-
eter size.
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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
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
STEP1STEP5STEP5STEP5
STEP1STEP1
STEP2STEP2
STEP1STEP3STEP3
STEP1STEP4STEP4
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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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167
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The differ-
ence between the temperature of the outs ide air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the automatic air conditioning system on longer than necessary when
the engine is stopped.
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201
3-3. Using the rear audio system
3
Interior features
Opening and closing the displayPress the lock release button to
open the display.
Pull the display down to an easily
viewable angle (between 90 and
125 ).
To close the display, press the dis-
play up until a click is heard.
The screen is automatically turned
off when the display is closed.
However, the rear seat entertain-
ment system is not turned off.
Loading a disc
Insert the disc into the slot with the
label side up.
The DISC indicator light turns on
while the disc is loaded.
The player will play the track or
chapter, and will repeat it after it
reaches the end.