Lexus ES300 1997 Starting And Driving

STARTING AND DRIVING
137 Shift into the ªLº position. The transmission will
downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed is
lower than 55 km/h (34 mph) and maximum engine
braking will be applied.
CAUTION!
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to spin and skid.
(c) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle will start in the first
gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into
the red zone. The approximate maximum
allowable speed for each position is given below
for your reference:
Transmission Transfer
ª2º 128 km/h (80 mph)
ªLº 70 km/h (43 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the ª2º or ªLº position. This may
cause severe automatic transmission damage
from overheating. To prevent such damage, ªDº
position should be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.

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138
(d) Backing up

Brake pedalªRº (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(e) Parking

Brake pedalParking brake pedal
ªPº (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªPº position.
CAUTION!
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move
the selector lever into ªPº under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle
control may result.

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139
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, turn off the overdrive switch. Be sure to turn
the switch on immediately after climbing the slope.
When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION!
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while
stopped with the engine running. This prevents the
vehicle from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the
accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission
to overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking
brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle in stuck
CAUTION
If you rock your vehicle to make it out when it
becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., first check
that there is no physical object or people around the
vehicle. During operation, the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward, causing injury or damage
to nearby people or objects.!
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following
precautions to prevent damage to the transmission
and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while
shifting the selector lever or before the
transmission is completely shifted to forward or
reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the
wheels
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the
vehicle several times, consider other ways such as
towing.

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140
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of
ªPº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from ªPº position even
thought the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see ªIf you cannot shift
automatic transmission selector leverº on page 177.
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.
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
141
Turning on the system
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. Thus
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 off.
CAUTION!
To avoid accidental cruise control engagements,
keep the main switch off when not using the cruise
control.
Setting at a desired speed
The transmission must be in ªDº before you set the cruise
control speed.
Bring your vehicle to the desired speed, push the control
lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction and release
it. This sets the vehicle at that speed. Now you may take your
foot off the accelerator pedal. If you need acceleration ± for
example, when passing ± depress the accelerator pedal
enough for the vehicle to exceed the set speed. When you
release for accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the
speed set prior to the acceleration.

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142
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever i the ªCANCELº direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed tops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically be cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than
these reasons, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer at the earliest opportunity.
Resetting to a faster speed
Pressing the control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held upward, the vehicle
will gradually gain speed.
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 increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the
control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº direction quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle
and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Resetting 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.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake
pedal and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you turn off the overdriveswitch 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.
Resuming 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.

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143
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 there is trouble in the cruise control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED
SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers with the control
switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is suited to the
driving conditions with the control switch to provide
good riding comfort and stability.

For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
For moderate high speed driving
For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
For driving on a bumpy road

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144
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control
the spinning of the front wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting
driver to control the driver to control the driving power
of the front wheels.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system
always turns on. Leave the system on during ordinary
driving so that it can operate when needed. When
traction control is applied, the slip indicator light
blinks.
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing
the ªTRAC OFFº switch. The ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing the
ªTRAC OFFº switch a second time turns the system
back on and extingusihes the ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine
compartment when the engine is started. This means that
the traction control system is in the self±check mode, and
does not indicate malfunction. When the traction control
system is operating, you may feel vibation or noise of your
vehicle, caused byoperation of the brakes. This indicates the
system is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of the mud or new snow, etc.
the traction control system will help operate to prevent the
wheels from spinning.

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145
Traction control failure warning
If hte ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be
trouble in the traction control system.
CAUTION!
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction
of the vehicle and power to the front wheels cannot
be maintained, even though the traction control
system is in operation. Do not drive the vehicle
under any speed or maneuvering conditions which
will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow,
your vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire
chains. Always drive at an appropriate and cautious
pace.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is hydraulic system
with two separate sub±systems. If either sub±system should
fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be harder
to press, and your stopping distance will be longer. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION!
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There
is enough reserve vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION!
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your braking
distance will be longer.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the
brakes will still work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard ± much harder than normal. And your
braking distance will be longer.

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146
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically
prevent lock±up of the wheels during a sudden brake or
braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steering performance
of the vehicle under these circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the anti±lock brake system is in
the self check mode, and does not indicate a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel
the brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situa-
tion, to let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just
hold the brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the
brake. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake
system may indicate hazardous road surface conditions.
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in providing
vehicle control, it is still important to drive with all due care,
because the anti±lock brake system cannot overcome the
laws of physics that act on your vehicle:
Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the road
surface.
Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a
driver cannot maintain full control on certain slippery road
surfaces, when cornering at high speeds, or in violent
maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake
system cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss
of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with 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 on roads where the road surface is pitted or has
other differences in surface height.