2011 Lexus ES350 steering

189
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the item may
get under the brake or accelerator pedal and prevent the pedals from being
depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or hit the driver or passengers,
causing an accident.
• Driver’s feet
• Front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• Package tray
• Instrument panel
• Dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and injure some-
one during sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.
■Capacity and distribution
●Do not exceed the maximum axle weight rating or the total vehicle weight rating.
●Even if the total load of occupant's weight and the cargo load is less than the total
load capacity, do not apply the load unevenly.
Improper loading may cause deterioration of steering or braking control which
may cause death or serious injury.

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2-5. Driving information
ES350_U
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
( → P. 4 0 3 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■Total load capacity: 900 lb. (410 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and
luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose esti-
mated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■Towing capacity: 1000 lb. (450 kg)
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight and
the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. In order to avoid
accident, death or serious injury, keep the following 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 rever sing 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.

202
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U●
Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, 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.
● To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system perfor-
mance when using engine braking, 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. 486)

206
ES350_U
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ........... 208
Rear window and outside rear view
mirror defoggers.................. 215
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type .................. 216
Using the radio ........................ 219
Using the CD player ............. 226
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs ........................... 233
Operating an iPod ................. 240
Operating a USB memory................................... 247
Optimal use of the audio system ..................................... 256
Using the AUX port.............. 258
Using the steering wheel audio switches...................... 259

217
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
ES350_U
■Using mobile phones
Interference may be heard through the audio system’s speakers if a mobile phone is
being used inside or close to the vehicle while the audio system is operating.
Ti t l ePa g e
Using the radioP. 2 1 9
Using the CD playerP. 2 2 6
Playing back MP3 and WMA discsP. 2 3 3
Operating an iPodP. 2 4 0
Operating a USB memoryP. 2 4 7
Optimal use of the audio systemP. 2 5 6
Using the AUX portP. 2 5 8
Using the steering wheel audio switchesP. 2 5 9

259
3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
ES350_U
Using the steering wheel audio switches
Turning the power onPress when the audio system is turned OFF.
The audio system can be turned off by holding the button down until you hear
a beep.
Some audio features can be controlled using the switches on the steering
wheel.
Turns the power on, selects
an audio source
Increases/decreases volume
Radio mode: Selects a radio station
CD mode: Selects a track, file (MP3 and
WMA) and disc
Bluetooth
® audio mode:
Selects a track and
album
iPod mode (if equipped):
Selects a song
USB memory mode (if
equipped): Selects a file and folder

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3-2. Using the audio system
3
Interior features
ES350_U
Selecting an albumPress to select Bluetooth
® audio mode.
Press and hold “ ∧” or “ ∨” on until you hear a beep.
Selecting a folder (if equipped)
Press to select USB memory mode.
Press and hold “ ∧” or “ ∨” on until you hear a beep.
Selecting a disc in the CD player
Press to select the CD mode.
Press and hold “ ∧” or “ ∨” on until you hear a beep.
■Canceling automatic selection of a radio station
Press again.
CAUTION
■To reduce the risk of an accident
Exercise care when operating the audio switches on the steering wheel.
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