light Lexus IS300 2005 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2005 IS300 (OM53489U) Manual Online

AUDIO
230
20L038

Correct
Wrong
Handle CDs carefully, especially when you set them into the
player. Hold them on the edge and do not bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints on them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scratches, warping, pin holes, or other CD damage
could cause the player to skip or to repeat a section of a
track. (To see a pin hole, hold the CD up to the light.)
20L039
To clean a CD: 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 CD (not in a circle). Do not use a conventional
record cleaner or anti±static device.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
236When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ªLOCKº 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 ªACCº.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the vehicle is moving, as
this will lock the steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
PARKING BRAKE
SV31017
To set: Pull up the lever. For better holding power, first
depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting the
parking brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1) , press the lock
release button (2), and lower (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is set, the parking brake
reminder light in the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
237
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3.Manual transmission : Press the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the transmission into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to
the floor until the engine is started. A starter safety device will
prevent the starter from operating if the clutch pedal is not fully
depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the selector lever in ªPº. If you
need to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, put the
selector lever in ªNº. A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector lever is in any drive
position.
4. For automatic transmission only :Depress the brake
pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
ªBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ªSTARTº. Release it when the engine starts. Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up drive with smoothly turning engine until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ªIf your vehicle will not startº on page 281.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checked immediately.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
239
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in M mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions
(e) Backing up
(f) Parking
(g) Good driving practice
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(i) If the ªECT PWRº indicator light flashes
(a) Normal driving
SV31021

1ªPº (Park) position 2ªNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow to start the
engineº on page 237.
The transmission must be in ªPº or ªNº. The engine will not sta\
rt
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
ªSTARTº.
CAUTION
The selector lever knob can become extremely hot after
parking under the sun.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
240
SS31019

1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ªNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ªPowerº, ªNormalº or ªSnowº mode \
to suit
your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ªNormalº position to improve fuel
economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the ªPowerº position.
In the ªPowerº position, the ªECT 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
ªNormalº position.
For ªSnowº mode, see ªElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 260.
SV31022

1Brake pedal 2ªDº (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ªDº.
Always use the ªDº 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 ªDº position. (See ª(c) Using engine brakingº and \
ª(g)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
242
SV31028

2Downshifting on the front, Upshifting on the rear
5: Fifth rangeThe most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and fifth gears according to the vehicle speed or the running condition.
4: Fourth range The most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and fourth gears according to the vehicle speed or the running condition. 3: 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 ª5º) to ª4º\
,
ª3º and then ª2º.
When you push the switch located on the back of the steering
wheel, the transmission upshifts to ª3º, ª4º and then ª5º\
.
For the precautions on each position, see the description on
the next page.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
246
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between the
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the ªMº position and select the fourth gear
by pushing the transmission switch. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the ªDº position after climbing the slope.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can causethe transmission to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see ªIf you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 304.
(i) If the ªECT PWRº indicator light flashes
If the ªECT PWRº indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the
transmission system.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
248
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going faster than the maxi-mum allowable speed for the next lower gear.
Good 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 skid or spin.
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 ªECT 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.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
249
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a great
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION
 To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow±covered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.
Turning the system on
SV31029
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns
the system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster
shows that you can now set your desired cruising speed.
Another push on the switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push
the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
251
4Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed
is attained. While the lever is held downward, the vehicle
speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be
lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction quickly within
0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal
and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Automatic transmission: Even if you downshift the
transmission from the ªDº position to ªMº with the cruise control
on, engine braking will not be applied because the cruise
control is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle speed, reset
to a slower speed with the cruise control lever or depress the
brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise control is
cancelled.
5Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever or
by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the
ªRES/ACCº direction will restore the speed set prior to
cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed falls below
about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will not be resumed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
five times and then goes out when using the cruise control, it
means that there is trouble in the cruise control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.
04 06.30