2009 Lexus ES350 light

181
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch
manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailer hitch.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be consulted.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
●Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the
trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
●Do not use cruise control/dynamic radar cruise control.
Doing so may result in inappropriate control of speed and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
●Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.

182
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The three main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer’s lights and the vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you become 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 your hand to the right to move the
trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing without a
trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged 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 increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
NOTICE
■Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a malfunc-
tion.

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

193
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Using the automatic mode
Fan speed is adjusted automatically in accordance with the temperature setting and
ambient conditions. As a result, the following may occur.
●The system may switch automatically to recirculated mode when the coolest
temperature setting is selected in summer.
●Immediately after the switch is pressed, the fan may stop for a while until warm
or cool air is ready to flow.
●Cool air may flow to the area around the upper body when the heater is on.
■Using the system in recirculated air mode
The windows will fog up more easily if the recirculated air mode is used for an
extended period.
■Window defogger feature
Recirculated air mode may automatically switch to
(outside air) mode in sit-
uations where the windows need to be defogged.
■Outside air temperature approaches 32 °F (0 °C).
The air conditioning system may not operate even when
is pressed.
■When the indicator light on flashes
Press
and turn off the air conditioning system before turning it on once
more. There may be a problem in the air conditioning system if the indicator light
continues to flash. Turn the air conditioning system off and have it inspected by your
Lexus dealer.
■Automatic mode for air intake control
In automatic mode, the system detects exhaust gas and other pollutants and auto-
matically switches between outside air and recirculated air modes.
CAUTION
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The dif-
ference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the windshield can
cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your vision.

210
3-2. Using the audio system
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in serious damage to the CDs or
the player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
●Do not apply oil to the CD player.
●Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
●Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a time.

218
3-2. Using the audio system
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
NOTICE
■CD player precautions
Failure to follow the precautions below may result in damage to the CDs or the
player itself.
●Do not insert anything other than CDs into the CD slot.
●Do not apply oil to the CD player.
●Store CDs away from direct sunlight.
●Never try to disassemble any part of the CD player.
●Do not insert more than one CD at a time.

253
3
Interior features
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
3-4. Using the interior lights
Interior lights list
Your Lexus is equipped with the illuminated entry system to assist in enter-
ing the vehicle. Owing to the function of the system, the lights shown in the
following illustration automatically turn on/off according to the presence of
the electronic key, whether the door s are locked/unlocked, whether the
doors are opened/closed, and the “ENGINE START STOP” switch mode.
Front personal lights (→P. 255)
Front interior lights ( →P. 2 5 5 )
Rear personal lights (→ P. 2 5 5 )
Rear interior lights( → P. 2 5 5 )
Door courtesy lighting
Shift lever lighting
This light turns on or off depending on the darkness of the surroundings
when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode.
Front foot well lighting
Outer foot lights

254
3-4. Using the interior lights
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■To prevent the battery from being discharged
If the following lights remain ON when the door is not fully closed and the DOOR
switch is ON, the lights will go off automatically after 20 minutes.
●Interior lights
●Front personal lights
●Front foot well lighting
●Rear door courtesy lighting
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. The time elapsed before lights turn off) can be changed. (Customiz-
able features
→P. 4 4 7 )