brake Lexus ES300 1997 Driving Tips

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
152
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethylene±glycol antifreeze in the
radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 222 tells you how to visually inspect the
battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be
pleased to check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the
cold weather.
See page 203 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Lexus dealer ± they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system/distributor
ignition system for loose connections or obvious
damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them
from freezing. To open a frozen lock, try heating the key
before inserting it.Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute
because it may damage your vehicle's paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a
possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ªPº and block the
front wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water
accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism
may freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the
fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend
you carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire
chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small
shovel, jumper cables, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
155
Brakes and safety chains
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform
to any applicable federal and state/provincial
regulations.
A safety chain must always be used between the
towing vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in
the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the
trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated.
For correct safety chain procedures, follow the hitch
or trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
CAUTION!
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1000 lb.),
trailer brakes are required.
Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system as
it will lower its braking effectiveness.
Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain
securely attached to both the trailer and the
vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or
hitch ball, there is possible danger of the trailer
wandering over into another lane.
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and
local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer
or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for
your trailer. Check for correct operation of the turn signals
and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for
the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.

DRIVING TIPS
157
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling
of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to
the rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being
passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your
vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip
the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but
gradually. Never increase speed. If it is necessary to
reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you
make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes,
your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires
considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not
forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty
of room before changing lanes.
In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical
charging performance, do not use overdrive.
Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over
30C [85F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a
trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
See ªIf your vehicle overheatsº on page 165 of this manual.
Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.
Put the transmission in ªPº (automatic) or in first or reverse
(manual). Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it
cannot be avoided, do so only after performing the
following:1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ªPº and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope.
1. With the transmission in ªPº position, start the engine.
Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the ª2º, ªLº or ªRº position.
3. Release the parking brake pedal and slowly pull or back
away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION!
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted
towing speed limit, whichever is lower. Because
instability (swaying) of a towing vehicle±trailer
combination usually increases as the speed
increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause
loss of control.

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.