fuel Lexus ES300 1997 Driving Tips

149
SECTION 3 ± 2
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period 150
Operation in foreign countries 150
Tips for driving in various conditions 150
Winter driving tips 152
Trailer towing 153
How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 158

DRIVING TIPS
150
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new
Lexus. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km
(1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between 2000
and 4000 rpm.
Avoid full±throttle starts.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles)
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane number).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS
CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage resulting in tire bursts.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they
touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmission in ªP.º If
necessary, block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may
get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously
while lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking
brake applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side
of the road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.

DRIVING TIPS
151
CAUTION!
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. It can cause dangerous overheating,
needless wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your
speed and downshift. Remember, if you ride the
brakes excessively, they may overheat and not
work properly. See page 136.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed, such as
sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if
the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over
140 km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has
high±speed capability tires. Driving over 140
km/h (85 mph) 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.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes
are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it may pull to one
side when the brakes are applied. Also, the
parking brake will not hold the vehicle securely.

DRIVING TIPS
153
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger±carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durability and driving
economy (fuel consumption, etc.). For your safety and the
safety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer.
Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes. Ask
your Lexus dealer for further details before towing.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus
dealer for further information on additional
requirements.
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue
load are all within the limits.
The total trailer weight and tingue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

Certification label
CAUTION!
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its
cargo load) must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.).
Exceeding this weight is dangerous.
The gross ehicle weight must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated
on the Certification Label The gross vehicle
weight is the sum weight of the unloaded vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage, hitch adn trailer
tongue load. It also includes the weight of any
special equipment installed on your vehicle.
The load on either the front or rear axle resulting
from distribution of the gross vehicle weight on
both axles must not exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.

DRIVING TIPS
158
CAUTION!
Slow down and downshift before descending
steep or long downhill grades. Do not make
sudden downshifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to
overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is
easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save
money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowly down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
needless wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster
you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing
your speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid
hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.

DRIVING TIPS
159 Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A dirty
air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive
under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives
more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the separate ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)
CAUTION!
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission
control system operates properly only when the
engine is running.