2009 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manual

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Removing a child restraint installed with a seat beltPush the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.
Child restraint systems with a top tether strapSecure the child restraint using a
seat belt or a lower anchors, and
lock the head restraint in place at
the lowest position.
Open the anchor bracket cover,
latch the hook onto the anchor
bracket and tighten the top tether
strap.
Make sure the top tether strap is
securely latched.
STEP1
STEP2

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1-7. Safety information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchorages
The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.
Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications
can be used.
This vehicle is designed to conform to the SAE J1819.
CAUTION
■When installing a booster seat
Do not fully extend the shoulder belt to prevent the belt from going to ALR lock
mode: (→P. 5 2 )
ALR mode causes the belt to tighten only which could cause injury or discomfort to
the child.

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system installation manual and fix
the child restraint system securely in place.
If the child restraint system is not correctly fixed in place, the child or other passen-
gers may be injured or even killed in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving
or an accident.
●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 injury in the event of sudden braking, sudden
swerving or an accident.
●Ensure that the belt and tab are securely locked and the seat belt is not twisted.
●Push and pull the child seat from side to side and forward to be sure it is secure.
●After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
●Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufac-
t u r e r.
●If the driver’s seat interferes with the child
restraint system and prevents it from being
attached correctly, attach the child restraint
system to the right-hand rear seat.
●Only put a forward facing or booster child
seat on the front seat when unavoidable.
When installing a forward facing or
booster child seat on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible
even if AIR BAG OFF indicator light is illu-
minated. Failing to do so may result in
death or serious injury if the airbags deploy
(inflate).

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1-7. Safety information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■Do not use a seat belt extender
If a seat belt extender is used when installing 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 sudden braking, sudden
swerving or an accident.
■To correctly attach a child restraint system to the anchors
When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around
the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child restraint. Make sure
the child restraint system is securely attached, or it may cause death or serious
injury to the child or other passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve
or accident.

When driving2
107
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle................. 108
Engine (ignition) switch .......... 116
Automatic Transmission ......... 119
Turn signal lever ....................... 122
Parking brake ........................... 123
Horn ............................................ 124
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 125
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 127
Multi-information display ...... 131
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 135
Fog light switch ........................ 138
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 139 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.......................... 143
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 146
Intuitive parking assist ........... 155
Driving assist systems .............. 161
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ................................... 164
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 168
Vehicle load limits ..................... 171
Winter driving tips ................... 172
Trailer towing ........................... 178
Dinghy towing.......................... 185

108
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep uphillFirmly 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. 117)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (→P. 119)
Release the parking brake. (→ P. 123)
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in D, depress 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. 1 1 9 )
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. (→P. 123)
Shift the shift lever to P. (→ P. 119)
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch and stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on
your person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Driving in the rain
●Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
●Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
●Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
■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 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.
■Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum-in-disc type parking brake system. This type of brake sys-
tem needs bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Lexus dealer perform the bed-
ding down.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability of the
correct fuel. (→P. 4 2 4 )
■Normal characteristics after turning off the engine
Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound coming
from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evaporation
leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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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 willresult in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●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 to stall or lead to poor brake and steering perfor-
mance, 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 trunk is closed. Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver
drowsiness and an accident, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer 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 system 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 to not operate properly and lead to an
accident.