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1-7. Safety information
ES350_U
CAUTION
■When installing a child restraint system
Follow the directions given in the child restraint system installation manual and fix
the child restraint system securely in place.
If the child restraint system is not correctly fixed in place, the child or other passen-
gers may be injured or even killed in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving
or an accident.
●When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is posi-
tioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away
from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder. Failing to
do so may result in death or serious injury in the event of sudden braking, sudden
swerving or an accident.
●Ensure that the belt and tab are securely locked and the seat belt is not twisted.
●Push and pull the child seat from side to side and forward to be sure it is secure.
●After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
●Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufac-
turer.
●If the driver’s seat interferes with the child
restraint system and prevents it from being
attached correctly, attach the child restraint
system to the right-hand rear seat.
●Only put a forward facing or booster child
seat on the front seat when unavoidable.
When installing a forward facing or
booster child seat on the front passenger
seat, move the seat as far back as possible
even if AIR BAG OFF indicator light is illu-
minated. Failing to do so may result in
death or serious injury if the airbags deploy
(inflate).
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ES350_U
2-1. Driving procedures
Driving the vehicle
Starting on a steep uphillFirmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
The following procedures should be observed to ensure safe driving.
■Starting the engine ( →P. 128)
■ Driving
With the brake pedal depressed, shift the shift lever to D. (→P. 1 3 2 )
Release the parking brake. (→ P. 1 3 6 )
Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle.
■ Stopping
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
If necessary, set the parking brake.
When the vehicle is stopped for an extended period of time, shift the
shift lever to P or N. (
→P. 1 3 2 )
■Parking the vehicle
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 1 3 6 )
Shift the shift lever to P. (→ P. 1 3 2 )
Press the “ENGINE START STOP” switch and stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the electronic key on
your person.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine and lock
the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately after
turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it is
snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is running,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO) that is colorless and odor-
less. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●If 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.
●The exhaust 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 vehi-
cle 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.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, which 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.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
■Daytime running light system
●To make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, the headlights turn on auto-
matically (at a reduced intensity) whenever the engine is started and the parking
brake is released. Daytime running lights are not designed for use at night.
●Compared to turning on the headlights, the daytime running light system offers
greater durability and consumes less electricity, so it can help improve fuel
economy.
■Headlight control sensor
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30 seconds
after all doors are closed with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch switched to
ACCESSORY mode or turned OFF. (The light turns off immediately if
the button on the key is pressed after all doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is switched to ACCESSORY mode or turned
OFF and driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, switch to IGNITION ON mode, or turn the light switch
OFF once and then back to the
or position.
■Automatic headlight leveling system (vehicles with discharge headlights)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number of
passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights do
not interfere with other road users.
■If the indicator flashes... (veh icles with discharge headlights)
It may indicate a malfunction in the system. Contact your Lexus dealer. The sensor may not function properly if an
object is placed on the sensor, or anything
that blocks the sensor is affixed to the wind-
shield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor detecting
the level of ambient light and may cause the
automatic headlight control system to mal-
function.
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
ES350_U
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Raindrop sensor
●If the temperature of the raindrop sensor is 194°F (90 °C) or higher, or 5 °F
(-15 °C) or lower, automatic operation may not occur. In this case, operate
the wipers in any mode other than “AUTO”.
■AUTO mode
If the wiper switch is turned to AUTO position while the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the wiper will operate once to show that AUTO
mode is activated.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
Wash/wipe operation
Wipers operate automatically.
(With “AUTO” selected, after
operating several times, the wip-
ers operate one more time after
a short delay to prevent drip-
ping.)
●The sensor judges the amount of raindrops.
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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Caution regarding the use of windshield wipers in AUTO mode
The windshield wipers may operate unexpectedly if the sensor is touched or the
windshield is subjected to vibration in AUTO mode. Take care that your fingers or
anything else do not become caught in the windshield wipers.
NOTICE
■When the windshield is dry
Do not use the wipers, as they may damage the windshield.
■When there is no washer fluid spray from the nozzle
Damage to the washer fluid pump may be caused if the lever is pulled toward you
and held continually.
■When a nozzle becomes blocked
In this case, contact your Lexus dealer.
Do not try to clear it with a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.
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2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
Driving assist systems
When the VSC/TRAC systems are operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, or if the front wheels spin, the
slip indicator light flashes to indi-
cate that the VSC/TRAC systems
have been engaged.
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 suppl ementary 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 the front wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 1 8 7
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2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
●When climbing a steep hill causes an overhead billboard or other metallic struc-
ture to appear directly in the vehicle's line of travel.
●When an extreme change in vehicle height occurs
●When the axis of the radar is out of adjustment
●When passing through certain toll gates
When the system is activated in the situations described above there is also a possi-
bility that the seat belts will retract quickly and the brakes will be applied with a force
greater than normal. When the seat belt is locked in the retracted position, stop the
vehicle in a safe place, release the seat belt and refasten.
■Situations in which the pre-collision system does not function properly
The system may not function effectively in situations such as the following:
●On roads with sharp bends or uneven surfaces
●On slippery roads such as those covered with ice or snow
●If a vehicle suddenly moves in front of your vehicle, such as at an intersection
●If a vehicle suddenly cuts in front of your vehicle, such as when overtaking
●In inclement weather such as heavy rain, fog, snow or sand storms
■Automatic cancelation of the pre-collision system
When a malfunction occurs due to sensor contamination, etc. that results in the
sensors being unable to detect obstacles, the pre-collision system will be automati-
cally disabled. In this case, the system will not activate even if there is a collision pos-
sibility.
■When there is a malfunction in the system
Warning lights and/or warning messages will turn on or flash. ( →P. 439, 449)