2012 Lexus ES350 warning

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U
Airbag system componentsYour vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag system
controls airbag deployment power for the driver and front passenger. The
driver airbag system consists of the driver seat’s position sensor etc. The
front passenger’s airbag system consists of the front passenger occupant
classification sensor etc. Front passenger airbag
Curtain shield airbags
AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG
OFF indicator lights
Side airbags for the front pas-
sengers
Side and curtain shield airbag
sensors
Curtain shield and rear side
airbag sensors
Side airbags for the rear out-
side passengers
SRS warning light
Driver airbag
Driver's seat position sensor
Knee airbags
Driver's seat belt buckle switch
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch
Airbag sensor assembly
Front passenger occupant
classification system
(ECU and sensors)
Front airbag sensors

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1
1-7. Safety information
Before driving
ES350_U
Front passenger occupant classification system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification sys-
tem. This system detects the conditions of the front passenger seat and
activates or deactivates the devices for front passenger.
SRS warning light
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light
With navigation system
Without navigation system

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1-7. Safety information
ES350_U
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classification system
■Adult*1
■Child *3 or child restraint system*4
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lights“A I R B A G ON”
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Activated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seatsCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbag
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lights“A I R B A G OFF”*5
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Flashing
*2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seatsCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger sideActivated
Front passenger knee airbag Deactivated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Activated

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U■
Unoccupied
■ There is a malfunction in the system
*
1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/
her as a child depending on his/her physique and posture.
*
2: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.
*
3: When a larger child who has outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an
adult depending on his/her physique or posture.
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lights Not illuminated
SRS warning light
Off
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seats
Curtain shield airbag in the front passenger sideActivated
Front passenger knee airbag Deactivated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light
“A I R B A G O N ” a n d “A I R B A G O F F ” i n d i c a t o r lightsAIR BAG OFF
SRS warning light On
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light Off
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the right side
passenger seats
Curtain shield airbag in the front passenger sideActivated
Front passenger knee airbag Deactivated
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner Activated

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●Do not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear seat. This
may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated, which indicates
that the passenger’s airbags will not deploy in the event of a severe accident. If the
seatback touches the rear seat, return the seatback to a position where it does
not touch the rear seat. Keep the front passenger seatback as upright as possible
when the vehicle is moving. Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the
effectiveness of the seat belt system.
●If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 1 0 8 )
●Do not modify or remove the front seats.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.
●Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
●Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

When driving2
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ES350_U
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 120
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 128
Automatic Transmission ........ 132
Turn signal lever ....................... 135
Parking brake ........................... 136
Horn ............................................ 137
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 138
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 140
Multi-information display ..... 144 2-3. Operating the lights and
windshield wipers
Headlight switch ..................... 149
Fog light switch ........................ 154
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 156
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control.......................... 160
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 164
Intuitive parking assist ............ 176
Driving assist systems ............ 182
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ....... 187
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 192
Vehicle load limits ................... 195
Winter driving tips .................. 196
Trailer towing .......................... 202
Dinghy towing......................... 203

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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. 160, 164)
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
→P. 4 7 2
■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.)
The engine speed may remain high after releasing the accelerator pedal. This does
not indicate a malfunction.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
ES350_U
Indicators and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and center
panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various systems.
Instrument cluster
The units used on the speedometer and the tachometer gauge display may
differ depending on the model/type.