2009 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manual

183
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)●
Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, 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 turns, and slow down before making a
turn.
● Note that when making a turn, the trailer 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 adversely 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 gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
● Take care when passing other vehicles. 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 engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in 4, in the S mode.
● Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may over-
heat on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up
a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use),
pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See “If you vehicle
overheats”. ( →P. 4 1 6 )

184
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)●
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid 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 place, 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, 1, or the R position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and brake 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 posted towing speed limit, whichever is
lower. As 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 too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

185
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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.

186
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)

Interior features3
187
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ..................................... 188
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ............................... 195
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type................... 196
Using the radio......................... 198
Using the CD player ............ 205
Playing back MP3 and
WMA discs.............................. 211
Optimal use of the audio system ...................................... 219
Using the AUX adapter ....... 222
Using the steering wheel audio switches ..................... 223
3-3. Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone)
Hands-free phone system features
(for cellular phone) ............. 225
Using the hands-free phone system
(for cellular phone) ............ 228
Making a phone call .............. 236
Setting a cellular phone ....... 240
Security and system setup ... 244
Using the phone book........... 247 3-4. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list .................... 253
• Interior lights ........................ 255
• Personal lights ..................... 255
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features......... 256
• Glove box .............................. 256
• Console box ......................... 257
• Overhead console.............. 259
• Cup holders .......................... 260
• Auxiliary box ........................ 262
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors ................................. 263
Vanity mirror ........................... 264
Clock ......................................... 265
Ashtray ..................................... 266
Cigarette lighter ..................... 267
Power outlet ............................ 268
Seat heaters ............................ 269
Seat heaters and ventilators ............................... 271
Armrest .................................... 273
Rear sunshade ......................... 274
Extended trunk........................ 276
Floor mat ................................... 277
Trunk features ......................... 278
Garage door opener ............ 280
Compass .................................. 286

188
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system
Using the automatic modePress .The air conditioning system will begin to operate. Air outlets
and fan speed are automatically adjusted according to the
temperature setting.
Press to switch to automatic mode. Automatically switches between outside air and recirculated
air modes.
Airflow and outlets are automatically adjusted according to the tempera-
ture setting.
With navigation system
Owners of models equipped with a navigation system should refer to the
“Navigation System Owner's Manual”.
Without navigation system
Automatic mode
Driver’s side temperature
setting display
Changes the air outlets used Off
Fan speed
Airflow display
Fan speed display
Passenger’s side
temperature
setting display
Driver's side
temperature control
Air conditioning
ON/OFF switch Outside air or
recirculated air mode
Front windshield defogger Passenger’s side
temperature control
Dual operation switch
STEP1
STEP2

189
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)Press
∧ to increase the temperature and ∨ to decrease the tem-
perature on the switch.
The temperature for the driver and passenger seats can be set sepa-
rately.
Adjusting the settings ■ Adjusting the temperature setting
Press ∧ to increase the temperature and ∨ to decrease the tempera-
ture on the switch.
Press ∧ (increase) or ∨ (decrease) on the switch 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 set-
ting (simultaneous mode).
The air conditioning system switches between individual and simultaneous
modes each time is pressed.
■ Adjusting the fan speed
Press ∧ (increase) or ∨ (decrease) on .
Press to turn the fan off.
STEP3

190
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)■
Changing the air outlets
Press ∧ or ∨ on the
switch.
The air outlets switch each time the
switch 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
front windshield defogger oper-
ates.
■ Switching between outside air and recirculated air modes
Press .
The mode switches between (recycles air inside the vehicle),
AUTO and (introduces air from outside the vehicle) modes each
time the switch is pressed.
When the system is switched to automatic mode, the air conditioning
system operates automatically.