change wheel Lexus IS300 2002 Electrical Components / LEXUS 2002 IS300 SEDAN OWNER'S MANUAL (OM9997X)
Page 85 of 307
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
72
FRONT SEATS
(MANUAL TYPE)
Front seat precautions
CAUTION
The side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
 Do not lean over the front door when the vehicle is in
use.  The side airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force; you may be killed or severely injured.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or  the upholstery
of the seats with side airbags.  Such changes may
disable the system, or cause the side airbags to
inflate accidentally, resulting in death or serious
injury.  Consult your Lexus dealer if you insist on
modifications of this kind.
 Do not use accessories for the seats which cover the
parts where the side airbags inflate.  Such
accessories may prevent the side airbags from
activating correctly, causing death or serious injury.
Seat adjustment precautions
Adjust the driver's seat so that the foot pedals, steering wheel
and instrument panel controls are within easy reach of the
driver.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving as
the seat may unexpectedly move and cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
 Be careful that the seat does not hit a passenger,
luggage or the rear seat.
 After  adjusting the seat position, try sliding it forward
and backward to make sure it is locked in position.
 After adjusting the seatback, exert body pressure to
make sure it is locked in position.
 Do not put objects under the seats.  The objects may
interfere with the seat±lock mechanism or
unexpectedly push up the seat position adjusting
lever; the seat may suddenly move, causing the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
 While  adjusting the seat, do not put your hands under
the seat or near the moving parts.  You may catch and
injure your hands of fingers. 
Page 94 of 307
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
81
TILT STEERING WHEEL
SV16064
To change the steering wheel angle, hold the steering
wheel, pull the lock release lever toward you, tilt the
steering wheel to the desired angle and release the lever.
When the steering wheel is in a low position, it will spring up as
you release the lock release lever.
CAUTION
 Do not adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving.  It may cause the driver to mishandle the
vehicle  and an accident may occur resulting in death
or injuries.
 After adjusting the steering wheel, try moving it up
and down to make sure it is locked in position.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
SV16010
Adjust  the mirror so that you can just see the side of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or distance of any object seen
in the outside rear view mirror on the passenger's side.  It is a
convex mirror with a curved surface.  Any object seen in a
convex m irror will look smaller and farther away than if seen in
a normal flat mirror.
When the ignition switch is turned ºONº, the heater panels in
the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the surface.
The outside rear view mirror heater will operate while the
ignition switch is ºONº. 
Page 114 of 307
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
101
SV16066
Do not attach a cup holder or any other device or
object on or around the door.  When the side airbag
inflates, the cup holder or any other device or object
will be thrown with great force, or the side airbag may
not activate correctly, resulting in death or serious
injury.  Likewise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold objects in their arms or on their
knees.
Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts
where the side airbags inflate.  Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
causing death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or remove any wiring.  Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components,  such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
front passenger airbag cover, front seats or airbag
sensor assembly.  Doing so may cause sudden SRS
front airbag inflation or disable the system, which
could result in death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or the upholstery
of front seats with side airbags.  Such changes may
disable  the system or cause the side airbags to inflate
accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury.  Consult your Lexus dealer if you insist
on modifications of this kind. 
Page 115 of 307
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
102
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes withoutconsulting your Lexus dealer.  Such changes caninterfere with proper operation of the SRS airbagsystem in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobiletwo±way radio, cassette tape player or compact  disc
player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and side structure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment tothe front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front endstructure, console, steering column, steering wheel,dashboard near the front passenger airbag or frontseats.
SV16061
This SRS front airbag system has an indicator to inform the
driver of operating problems.  If either of the following
conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction of the airbags.
Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.
 When the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or ºONº
position, the light does not come on, stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front
passenger  airbags fail.  If the light flashes, the side airbags fail. 
Page 180 of 307
STARTING AND DRIVING
167
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
SS31002
ºSTARTº ± Starter motor on.  The key will return to the
ºONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 168.
ºONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ºONº position if the engine
is not running.  The battery will discharge and theelectronic ignition system could be damaged.
ºACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off. If you leave the key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position and open
the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.*
NOTE:  *The volume or interval of beep sound can be
changed.  Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
SS31003
ºLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ºACCº to the ºLOCKº position you must put\
the transmission selector lever in the ºPº position and you must
push in the key.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set.  See ºEngine immobiliser systemº on page
10.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ºLOCKº position.  To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ºACCº. 
Page 186 of 307
STARTING AND DRIVING
173
(b) Driving in M mode
If the change lever is shifted to M position, the shift range
position can be switched over between D and 2 using the
shift switch on the steering wheel instead of operating the
change lever.  The first shift range position is on D when
the change lever is shifted to M position.
SV31024
 1ºMº position
When  the selector lever is put in the ºMº position, the M MODE
indicator is shown on the instrument cluster.
SV31028
 2Downshifting on the front, Upshifting on the rear
5: Fifth range
The most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and fifth gears according to the vehicle
speed or the running condition.
4: Forth range The most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and fourth gears according to the vehicle
speed or the running condition. 
Page 187 of 307
STARTING AND DRIVING
1743: Third range
The most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and third gears according to the vehicle
speed or the running condition.
Slight engine braking will be obtained on a downhill
road.
Smooth  running with less shifting will be obtained on an
uphill.
2: Second range First or second gear will be selected automatically
according to the vehicle speed or the running condition.
This  range is used in the case that the engine braking is
necessary.
The gear position being used is shown on the instrument
cluster.
Each time you push the switch located on the front of the
steering wheel, the transmission downshifts (from º5º) to º4º\
,
º3º and then º2º.
When you push the switch located on the back of the steering
wheel, the transmission upshifts to º3º, º4º and then º5º\
.
For the precautions on each position, see the description on
the next page. Warning tone sounds twice in any of the following cases:
You attempt to downshift the transmission when it is not
possible to downshift due to the high vehicle speed.
 You attempt to downshift from º2º position.
 You attempt to upshift from º5º position.
If the ºMº indicator flashes, there is a problem somewhere
in the system.  In this case, it should be noted that you
cannot downshift or upshift  the transmission using the
switches on the steering wheel.  Consult with your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.  The transmission works
exactly in the same way as when you put the selector lever
in the ºDº position.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid. 
Page 192 of 307
STARTING AND DRIVING
179
ELECTRONIC THROTTLECONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
SV31019
 1Power position  2Normal position
 3Snow position
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
Normal, Power and Snow modes.
Normal  mode:  For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode:  For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving. In the power mode, the ºECT PWRº light in the instrument
cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle
speeds and shifted down more responsively than in the normal
mode.
To return to the normal mode, push the ºPWRº switch again.
Snow mode: Decreases the engine output to minimize rear
wheel spinning on snowcovered or slippery roads.
When you push ºSNOWº switch, the snow mode is turned on
and the ºSNOWº light in the instrument cluster comes on.
To return to the normal mode, push the ºSNOWº switch again.
The ºSNOWº indicator light will go off.
When you turn the ignition switch off in the snow mode, the
mode automatically changes to the normal mode. 
Page 206 of 307
DRIVING TIPS
193
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUSCONDITIONS
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 ºPº.  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.
CAUTION
 Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
 Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
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 175.
 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. 
Page 219 of 307
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
206
Stop  the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking  brake and put the transmission in ºPº.  Block
the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being
changed if necessary.
 Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with jack improperly positioned
will  damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall
off the jack and cause personal injury.
 Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
 Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.
 Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
 When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or
under the jack.
 Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and
change the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire.  Driving
even a short distance can damage a tire and wheelbeyond repair.
Spare tire with turning direction indicators
(Some models)
SV41014
The spare tire with turning direction indicators is of a
uni±directional type and is intended for use on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
Installing the wheel on the driver side of the vehicle will not
affect tire performance.  If the spare tire is used on the driver
side of the vehicle, it should be used only temporarily and then
replaced with the correct one.