2012 Lexus ES350 towing

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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
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ............................................ 206
Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defoggers ...................................... 213
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type ........................ 214
Using the radio................................ 217
Using the CD player................... 224
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs................................... 231
Operating an iPod....................... 238
Operating a USB memory....... 245
Optimal use of the audio system ............................................ 254
Using the AUX port ................... 256
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............................ 257
2When driving
3Interior features

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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2-4. Using other driving systems
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When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting in death
or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●During emergency towing

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2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice and snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●During emergency towing
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning (→P. 169) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident
may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane

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2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
■Sensor detection information
●Certain vehicle conditions and the surrounding environment may affect the
ability of the sensor to correctly detect obstacles. Particular instances where this
may occur are listed below.
• There is dirt, snow or ice on the sensor.
• The sensor is frozen.
•The sensor is covered in any way.
• The vehicle is leaning considerably to one side.
• On an extremely bumpy road, on an incline, on gravel, or on grass
• The vicinity of the vehicle is noisy due to vehicle horns, motorcycle engines,air brakes of large vehicles, or other loud noises producing ultrasonic waves.
• There is another vehicle equipped with parking assist sensors in the vicinity.
• The sensor is coated with a sheet of spray or heavy rain
• The vehicle is equipped with a fender pole or wireless antenna.
• Towing eyelets are installed.
• The bumper or sensor receives a strong impact.
• The vehicle is approaching a tall or curved curb.
• In harsh sunlight or intense cold weather
In addition to the examples above, there are instances in which, because of their
shapes, signs and other objects may be judged by the sensor to be closer than they
are.
●The shape of the obstacle may prevent the sensor from detecting it. Pay particu-
lar attention to the following obstacles.
• Wires, fences, ropes etc.
• Cotton, snow and other materials that absorb radio waves
• Sharply-angled objects
• Low obstacles
• Tall obstacles with upper sections projecting outwards in the direction of your
vehicle

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
ES350_U(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
(→ P. 202)
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Your vehicle is
not designed for trailer towing.
Example on your vehicle
Cargo capacity
Total load capacity
When 2 people with the combined weight of 366 lb. (166 kg) are riding
in your vehicle, which has a total load capacity of 900 lb. (410 kg), the
available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
900 lb. — 366 lb. = 534 lb. (410 kg —166 kg = 244 kg)
In this condition, if 3 more passengers with the combined weight of 388 lb.
(176 kg) get on, the available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as fol-
lows:
534 lb. — 388 lb. = 146 lb. (244 kg — 176 kg = 68 kg)
As shown in the above example, if the number of occupants increases,
the cargo and luggage load equaling the combined weight of the occu-
pants who got on later, by an amount. In other words, if an increase in the
number of occupants causes an excess of the total load capacity (com-
bined weight of occupants plus cargo and luggage load), you must
reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
( →P. 1 9 5)

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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
ES350_U
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information label.
(→ P. 3 9 9 )
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the tires, but also degrade steering and braking
ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity, towing
capacity and cargo capacity.
■Total load capacity: 900 lb. (410 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants, cargo and
luggage.
■Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of occupants whose esti-
mated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
■Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the weight and
the number of occupants.

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2-5. Driving information
ES350_U
Trailer towing
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle. Lexus also
does not recommend the installation of a tow hitch or the use of a tow hitch
carrier for a wheelchair, scooter, bicycle, etc. Your vehicle is not designed
for trailer towing or for the use of tow hitch mounted carriers.