2011 Lexus IS250 automatic transmission

185
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
Driving assist systems
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are supplementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps to prevent wheel lock when the brakes are applied suddenly, or if
the brakes are applied while driving on a slippery road surface.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■ TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents th e rear wheels (2WD models) or all
wheels (AWD models) from spinning when starting the vehicle or acceler-
ating on slippery roads.
■ Hill-start assist control (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when starting on an
incline or slippery slope.
■EPS (Electric Power Steering)
Employs an electric motor to reduce the amount of effort needed to turn
the steering wheel.

190
2-4. Using other driving systems
CAUTION
■TRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
■If hill-start assist control does not operate effectively
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Do not overly rely on the hill-start assist control. The hill-start assist control may not
operate effectively on steep incl ines and roads covered in ice.
■When the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes. Always drive carefully. Reckless driving may cause
an accident. Exercise particular care when the indicator light flashes.
■When TRAC and VSC are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
these are systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn off TRAC
and VSC unless necessary.
■Replacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the specified size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire
pressure level.
The ABS, VSC and TRAC systems will not fu nction correctly if different tires are fit-
ted on the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further info rmation when replacing tires or wheels.
■Handling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driv-
ing assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.

200
2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
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.

335
3-7. Other interior features
3
Interior features
Seat heaters
: If equipped
Vehicles with an automatic transmissionHeats the seats
The indicator light comes on.
The higher the number, the
warmer the seats become.Front
passenger’s
seat
Driver’s
seat

338
3-7. Other interior features
Seat heaters and ventilators
The seat heaters and ventilators heat the seats and maintain good airflow
by blowing air from the seats.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
Heats the seats
The indicator light (amber)
comes on.
The higher the number, the
warmer the seats become.
Blows air from the seats
The indicator light (green)
comes on.
The higher the number, the
stronger the airflow becomes.
Driver’s
seat
Front
passenger’s
seat

: If equipped

346
3-7. Other interior features
Floor mat
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause the driver's floor mat to slip, possibly interfering with the
pedals while driving. An unexpectedly high speed may result or it may become diffi-
cult to stop the vehicle, leading to a serious accident.
■When installing the driver's floor mat
●Do not use floor mats designed for other models or different model year vehicles,
even if they are Lexus Genuine floor mats.
●Only use floor mats designed for the driver's seat.
●Always install the floor mat securely using the retaining hooks (clips) provided.
●Do not use two or more floor mats on top of each other.
●Do not place the floor mat bo ttom-side up or upside-down.
■Before driving
Use only floor mats designed specifically for vehicles of the same model
and model year as your vehicle. Fix them securely in plac e onto the carpet.
Fix the floor mat in place using
the retaining hooks (clips) pro-
vided.
For details, refer to the floor mat
retention clip installation
instructions supplied with the
clips.
●Check that the floor mat is securely fixed in
the right place with all the provided retain-
ing hooks (clips). Be especially careful to
perform this check after cleaning the floor.
●With the engine stopped and the shift lever
in P (automatic transmission) or N (manual
transmission), fully depress each pedal to
the floor to make sure it does not interfere
with the floor mat.

377
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be held securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Clutch pedal• Moves smoothly?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? ( P. 4 3 7 )
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?

397
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Adding distilled water
Remove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot be seen, check the fluid level by
looking directly at the cell.
Put the vent plug back on and close securely.
Low O.K.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the
ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the battery
In some cases, the engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the
system.
Shift the shift lever to “P” (automatic transmission) or depress the brake
pedal with the shift lever in N (manual transmission), and turn the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF.
Open and close any of the doors.
Start the engine. (If the engine does not start first time, repeat the proce-
dure.)
If the engine will not start even after mult iple attempts at the above method, contact
your Lexus dealer.
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