2011 LEXUS RX350 brakes

145
2-1. Driving procedures
2

When driving
nDriving in the rain
lDrive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the windows
may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
lDrive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be especially
slippery.
lRefrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain, because
there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road surface, preventing
the steering and brakes from operating properly.
nBreaking in your new Lexus
To extend the life of the vehicle, observing the following precautions is recom-
mended:
lFor the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
lFor the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
lFor the first 1000 miles (1600 km):

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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.

148
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
nWhen driving on slippery road surfaces
lSudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
lSudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
and down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
lAfter driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.
nWhen shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
nWhen the vehicle is stopped
lDo not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
lDo not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
lIn order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep
depressing the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking
brake as necessary.
lIf the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
lAvoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the
exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is
nearby.

150
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
lIf the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed area, such
as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.
lThe exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack
caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to
have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so
may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, resulting in death or a serious health
hazard.
nWhen taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, if you accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust
gases may collect and enter the vehicle, leading to death or a serious health hazard.
nWhen braking the vehicle
lWhen the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause one side
of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
lIf the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
lDo not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
lThe brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and the braking distance will increase.
If this happens, do not drive the vehicle. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
nIf the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel
the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
2

When driving
Accelerate or decelerate to the
desired speed, and push the
lever down to set the speed.
“SET” will be displayed.
nAdjusting the set speed
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
Fine adjustment of the set speed
can be made by lightly pushing
the lever up or down and releas-
ing it.
nCanceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever towards you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the constant speed control.
STEP2

210
2-4. Using other driving systems
nAdjusting the speed setting
Increases the speed
Decreases the speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is displayed.
Fine adjustment of the set speed
can be made by lightly pushing
the lever up or down and releas-
ing it.
nCanceling and resuming the constant speed control
Pulling the lever toward you
cancels the constant speed
control.
The speed setting is also can-
celed when the brakes are
applied.
Pushing the lever up resumes
the constant speed control.

212
2-4. Using other driving systems
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a sensor to detect the presence of vehicles up to
approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead and to judge the distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.
Example of constant speed cruising
When there are no vehicles ahead
The vehicle travels at the speed set by the driver. The desired vehicle-to-vehi-
cle distance can also be set by operating the vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol.
Example of deceleration cruising
When the vehicle ahead is driving slower than the set speed
When a vehicle is detected running ahead of you in the same lane, the system
automatically decelerates your vehicle. When a greater reduction in vehicle
speed is necessary, the system applies the brakes. A warning tone warns you
when the system cannot decelerate sufficiently to prevent your vehicle from
closing in on the vehicle ahead.

213
2-4. Using other driving systems
2

When driving
Example of follow-up cruising
When following a vehicle driving slower than the set speed
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration
When there no longer are vehicles driving slower than the set speed in
the lane ahead
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system slowly
accelerates until the set speed is reached. The system then returns to con-
stant speed cruising.
Approach warning
When your vehicle is too close to a vehicle ahead, and sufficient auto-
matic deceleration via the cruise control is not possible, the display will
flash and a buzzer will sound to alert the driver. An example of this would
be if another driver cuts in front of you while you are following a vehicle.
Apply the brakes to ensure an appropriate vehicle-to-vehicle distance.
nDynamic radar cruise can be set when
lThe shift lever is in D. (Recommended)
Dynamic radar cruise control can also be set when the shift lever is in the S posi-
tion and range “4”, “5”, or “6” has been selected.
lVehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (50 km/h).
nSwitching modes
The mode cannot be switched to constant speed control mode if vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode has been used. The mode also cannot be switched from
constant speed control to vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode. Turn the sys-
tem off by pressing the “ON-OFF” button, and turn it on again.
nAccelerating
The vehicle can accelerate normally. After acceleration, the set speed resumes.