ESP Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 (OM53439U) Owner's Guide

AIR CONDITIONING
183
(a) Climate control
SETTING OPERATION ± automatic control
SV21018
1. Set the air flow control dial and the fan speed control
dial to ºAUTOº positions.
An indicator light will illuminate to show that the automatic
operation mode has been selected.
Air flow quantity and switching of the diffusers are
automatically adjusted.
When one of the manual control dials is turned while operating
in automatic mode, the operation corresponding to the dial
turned is set. Other conditions continue to be adjusted
automatically.
When the fan speed control dial is turned to ºOFFº, the fan is
turned off. If the ºA/Cº button indicator flashes, there is a problem in the
air conditioning system and the air conditioning automatically
shuts off. If this happens, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer for service.
SV21021a
2. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired
temperature.
The temperature control dial is used to set the desired
passenger compartment temperature.
The temperature of air
delivered to the passenger compartment will be controlled
automatically according to the setting. The figures on the
panel indicate degrees Fahrenheit.
When you adjust the temperature control dial to maximum
cooling, the air intake mode will be automatically changed to
RECIRCULATED AIR.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AUDIO
210(c) Automatic program selection
SV22061
ºRPTº button: The repeat feature automatically replays the
current program.
Push the º
RPTº button while the program is playing. When the
program ends, it will automatically be rewound and replayed.
Push the button again to turn off the repeat feature.
There must be at least 5 seconds of blank space between
programs for the repeat feature to work correctly.
ºSKIPº button: The skip feature allows you to fast forward
past long stretches of blank tape. This is especially useful at
the end of cassettes.
Push the ºSKIPº button. The player will automatically skip any
blank portions of 15 seconds or more and play the next
program. To cancel it, push the button once again.
SV22018
ºAutomatic program selectionº button: The automatic
program selection feature allows you to program your cassette
player to skip forward or backward to locate the song you want
to hear. You can skip up to nine programs at a time.
Push this button on the upper side to skip forward. ºFFº and
the number will appear on the display. Push the button until the
number you want to skip appears on the display. After that, the
player will automatically skip forward.
When the end of the tape is reached, the player automatically
reverses sides and resumes normal play.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AUDIO
219
AM
Fading
± AM broadcasts are reflected by the upper
atmosphere ± especially at night. These reflected signals can
interfere with those received directly from the radio station,
causing the radio station to sound alternately strong and weak.
Station interference ± When a reflected signal and a signal
received directly from a radio station are very nearly the same
frequency, they can interfere with each other, making it dif ficult
to hear the broadcast.
Static ± AM is easily affected by external sources of electrical
noise, such as high tension power lines, lightening, or electrical
motors. This results in static. Caring for your cassette player and tapes
For the best performance for your cassette player and tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regularly.

A dirty tape head or tape path can decrease sound quality
and tangle your cassette tapes. The easiest way to clean
them is by using a cleaning tape. (A wet type is
recommended.)
Use high±quality cassettes:
 Low±quality cassette tapes can cause many problems,
including poor sound, inconsistent playing speed, and
constant auto±reversing. They can also get stuck or
tangled in the cassette player.
 Do not use a cassette if it has been damaged or tangled or
if its label is peeling off.
 Do not leave a cassette in the player if you are not listening
to it, especially if it is hot outside.
 Store cassettes in their cases and out of direct sunlight.
 Avoid using cassettes with a total playing time longer than
100 minutes (50 minutes per side). The tape used in these
cassettes is thin and could get stuck or tangled in the
cassette player.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AUDIO
221
20E424

Special shaped discs
20E425

Low quality discs
20E423

Labeled discs
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the player or changer, do not usespecial shaped, low quality or labeled discs such asthose shown in the illustrations.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AUDIO
222
20L038

Correct
Wrong
Handle compact discs carefully, especially when you set
them into the player. Hold them on the edge and do not bend
them. A void getting fingerprints on them, particularly on the
shiny side.
 Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or other disc damage
could cause the player to skip or to repeat a section of a
track. (To see a pin hole, hold the disc up to the light.)
20L039
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a soft, lint±free cloth
that has been dampened with water. Wipe in a straight line from
the center to the edge of the disc (not in a circle). Do not use
a conventional record cleaner or anti±static device.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
232
SS31019

1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ºNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ºPowerº, ºNormalº or ºSnowº mode \
to suit
your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ºNormalº position to improve fuel
economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the ºPowerº position.
In the ºPowerº position, 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
ºNormalº position.
For ºSnowº mode, see ºElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 249.
SV31022

1Brake pedal 2ºDº (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. In this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the ºDº position. (See º(c) Using engine brakingº and\
º(g)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
236
3Shift into the º2º position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and stronger engine
braking than that of º3º position will be obtained.
4Shift into the ºLº position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and maximum engine braking
will be enabled.
º4º 177 km/h (110 mph)
º3º 123 km/h (76 mph)
º2º 81 km/h (51 mph)
ºLº 17 km/h (11 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.
(d) Using the º3º, º2º and ºLº positions
The º3º, º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong eng\
ine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in º3º, º2º or ºLº, you can start t\
he vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º3º or º2º, the vehicle will star\
t in the
first gear and automatically shift to third or second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the engine. Watch the tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into thered zone. The approximate maximum allowablespeed for each position is given below for yourreference:
º3º 124 km/h (78 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
º2º 81 km/h (51 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ºLº 52 km/h (33 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the º3º, º2º or ºLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, º4º positionshould be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
240Good driving practice

If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put the transmission in
neutral, release the clutch pedal momentarily, and then try
again.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain engine braking
efficiency, do not use fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
Abrupt shifting could cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before
shifting into reverse.
ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION
(Vehicle with automatic transmission only)
SV31039

1Power position 2Normal position
The electronic controlled system has 2 modes: Normal
and Power 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
251

You may hear the anti±lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is
stopped.
 At the end of the anti±lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little forward.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti±lock brake system:
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the anti±lock
brake system on.
If tires grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the anti±lock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.
Anti±lock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at the moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles without an anti±lock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer
stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting
in a longer stopping distance.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
266
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf your vehicle will not startº\
.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
IF YOU CANNOT INCREASE THEENGINE SPEED
If the engine speed does not increase with the accelerator
pedal depressed down to about the middle position, there
may be a problem somewhere in your electronic throttle
control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive you vehicle at low speeds. Have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnorma lity of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)