2011 Lexus ES350 tow

When driving2
117
ES350_U
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle................... 118
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 126
Automatic Transmission ........ 130
Turn signal lever ....................... 133
Parking brake ........................... 134
Horn ............................................ 135
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 136
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 138
Multi-information display ..... 142 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ...................... 147
Fog light switch ......................... 151
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 152
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.......................... 155
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 158
Intuitive parking assist ............. 171
Driving assist systems ............. 177
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ....... 182
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 187
Vehicle load limits ................... 190
Winter driving tips ................... 191
Trailer towing ............................ 197
Dinghy towing......................... 204

132
2-1. Driving procedures
ES350_U
■Downshifting restrictions warning buzzer (in the S mode)
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstances, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever is operated. (The warning buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise control system or dynamic radar cruise control sys-
tem
The engine brake will not operate in the S mode, even when downshifting to 5 or 4.
( → P. 155, 158)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 7 8
■If the indicator does not come on even after shifting the shift lever to S
mode driving position
This may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission system. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(In this situation, the transmission will operate in the same as manner as when the
shift lever is in D.)
■S mode
●When the shift range is 5 or lower, holding the shift lever toward “+” sets the shift
range to 6.
●To prevent excessive engine speed, a function was adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range before engine speed becomes too high.
●To protect the automatic transmission, a function is adopted that automatically
selects a higher shift range when the fluid temperature is high.
■AI-SHIFT
AI-SHIFT automatically selects the suitable gear according to driver performance
and driving conditions.
AI-SHIFT automatically operates when the shift lever is in the D position. (Shifting
the shift lever to the S mode driving position cancels the function.)

148
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
Turning on the high beam headlightsWith the headlights on, push the
lever forward to turn on the high
beams.
Pull the lever back to the center
position to turn the high beams off.
Pull the lever toward you to turn
on the high beams.
Release to turn them off. You can
flash the high beams with the head-
lights on or off.
AFS (vehicles with discharge headlights)AFS (Adaptive Front lighting System) improves visibility at intersections
and on curves by automatically adjusting the direction of light axis of the
headlights according to vehicle speed and the degree of the tire angle
that are controlled by steering input.
Operates at speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher.
■ Deactivating AFS
Turn the switch OFF to deactivate
AFS.
OFF
ON

154
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subjected to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or
anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward you
and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

156
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
■Fine adjustment of the set speed
Fine adjustment of the set speed (approximately 1.0 mph [1.6 km/h]) can be made
by lightly pressing the lever up or down and releasing it.
■Cruise control can be set when
●The shift lever is in the D or 4, 5, or 6 range of S.
●Vehicle speed is above approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes.
■Automatic cruise control cancellation
The set speed is automatically cancelled in any of the following situations.
●Actual vehicle speed falls more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h) below the
preset vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Actual vehicle speed is below approximately 25 mph (40km/h).
●VSC is activated.
■Canceling and resuming regular acceleration
Cancel
Pull the lever towards you to
cancel cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Resume
To resume cruise control and
return to the set speed, push the
lever up.

157
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
■If the cruise control indicator light flashes
Turn the ON-OFF button off once, and then reactivate the system.
If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels immediately
after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control system. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■To avoid inadvertent cruise control activation
Keep the ON-OFF button off when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in control of the vehicle being lost and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
●When towing a trailer or emergency towing

161
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
■Canceling and resuming the speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the cruise control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the cruise control and returns
vehicle speed to the set
speed.
Resuming is available when the
vehicle speed is more than
approximately 25 mph (40
km/h).

169
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice and snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●When your vehicle is towing a trailer or during emergency towing
■When the sensor may not be corr ectly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning ( →P. 163) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident
may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane