2011 LEXUS RX350 steering wheel

116
1-7. Safety information
nWhen to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
lAny of the SRS airbags has been inflated.
lThe front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an accident
that was not severe enough to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.
lA portion of the doors is damaged or
deformed, or the vehicle was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS side airbags and curtain
shield airbags to inflate.
lThe pad section of the steering wheel,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag
or lower portion of the instrument panel is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.
lThe surface of the seats with the side air-
bag is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
lThe portion of the front pillars, rear pillars
or roof side rail garnishes (padding) con-
taining the curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.

117
1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
lThe driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
lThe SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:

120
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
lIf a vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbags will deploy, be sure
to remove it.
lDo not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side airbags
inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
lDo not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
lDo not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS airbags have
deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
lIf breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbags have deployed, open a door
or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off
any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
lIf the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by
your Lexus dealer.
lDo not attach anything to or lean anything
against areas such as the dashboard, steer-
ing wheel pad or lower portion of the
instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles when
SRS driver, front passenger and knee air-
bags deploy.
lDo not attach anything to areas such as the
door, windshield glass, side door glass,
front and rear pillars, roof side rail or assist
grip.
lDo not hang coat hangers or other hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and may
cause death or serious injury, should the
SRS curtain shield airbags deploy.

121
1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
lDo not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger's seat. Doing so
will disperse the passenger's weight, which prevents the sensor from detecting
the passenger's weight properly. As a result, the SRS front passenger airbag may
not deploy in the event of a collision.
nModification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications with-
out consulting your Lexus dealer.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing death or
serious injury.
lInstallation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags
lRepairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear pillars or roof side
rails
lRepairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment
lInstallation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars or kangaroo
bar etc.)
lModifications to the vehicle's suspension system
lInstallation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD players
lModifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability

147
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
CAUTION
lDo not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is mov-
ing forward.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the driveline and may result in a loss of
vehicle control.
lDo not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause insufficient engine braking, resulting in an accident.
lDo not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster will not operate properly if the engine is
not running.
lUse engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (→P. 1 5 9 )
lWhen stopped on an incline, use the brake pedal and parking brake to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backward or forward, causing an accident.
lDo not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents, resulting
in death or serious injury.
lAlways check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
lDo not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

151
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
NOTICE
nWhen driving the vehicle
lDo not depress the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time during driving.
If the brake pedal is depressed while driving with the accelerator pedal
depressed, driving torque may be restrained.
lDo not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
nWhen parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the
vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is accidentally depressed.
nAvoiding damage to vehicle parts
lDo not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
lWhen driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
nIf you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
those of the brake discs are exceeded.
nIf you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
lIt may be difficult to control your vehicle.
lThe vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
lThe vehicle will behave abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire (→P. 5 6 4 )

156
2-1. Driving procedures
nIf the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. (→P. 1 0 1 )
nSteering lock
After turning the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function. Operat-
ing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch again automatically cancels the steering
lock.
nWhen the steering lock cannot be released
nSteering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be suspended
if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine. After about 2 seconds, the steering lock motor
will resume functioning.
nWhen the “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator flashes in amber
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
nIf the electronic key battery is depleted
→P. 4 9 6
The green indicator light on the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch will flash and a mes-
sage will be shown on the multi-information
display. Press the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch again while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

219
2-4. Using other driving systems
2

When driving
CAUTION
nConditions under which the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control may not function
correctly
Apply the brakes as necessary in the following conditions as the radar sensor may
not be able to correctly detect vehicles ahead, and an accident may result:
lWhen water or snow thrown up by the surrounding vehicles hinders the function-
ing of the radar sensor
lWhen your vehicle is pointing upwards (caused by a heavy load in the luggage
compartment etc.)
lWhen the road curves or when the lanes are narrow
lWhen steering wheel operation or your position in the lane is unstable
lWhen the vehicle ahead of you decelerates suddenly
nTo ensure the radar sensor functions correctly
Do not do the following to the sensor or grille as doing so may cause the sensor not
to function correctly and could result in an accident:
lSticking or attaching anything to them
lLeaving them dirty
lDisassembling or subjecting them to strong shocks
lModifying or painting them
lReplacing them with non-genuine parts
nHandling the radar sensor
Observe the following to ensure the cruise control system can function effectively:
lKeep the sensor and front grille clean at all times.
Clean the sensor and front grille with a soft cloth so you do not mark or damage
them.
lDo not subject the sensor or surrounding area to a strong impact.
If the sensor moves even slightly off position, the system may malfunction. If the
sensor or surrounding area is subject to a strong impact, always have the area
inspected and adjusted by your Lexus dealer.
lDo not disassemble the sensor.
lDo not attach accessories or stickers to the sensor, grille or surrounding area.
lDo not modify or paint the sensor and grille.