automatic transmission Lexus ES300 1999 Owner's Manuals (in English)

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
viii
Page
1 Door lock switch and power windowswitches 25, 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Headlight, turn signal and fog light switch 28
3 Power rear view mirror control switch 120 . . .
4 Instrument panel light control 65
. . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Trunk lid opener 99
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Fuel filler door opener 100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Hood lock release lever 96
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Parking brake 259
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Windshield wiper and washer switch 33 . . . . .
10 Cruise control switch 274
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
11 Vehicle skid control system off switch or
Traction control system off switch 278, 284 . .
12 Emergency flasher switch 45
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Clock 76
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Car audio 213
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Automatic air conditioning controls 200 . . . . .
16 Ashtray 76
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Automatic transmission selector lever 261 . . .
18 Seat heater switches 46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Electronic modulated suspension
control switch 278 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Glovebox/CD automatic changer 81/232 . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
x
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 52. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Turn signal indicator light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Automatic transmission indicator lights 261 .
5 Overdrive off indicator light 264
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Odometer and trip meter 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 ODO/TRIP knob 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fuel gauge 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Vehicle skid control system warning light 63 .
10 Cruise control indicator light 274
. . . . . . . . . . .
11 Rear light failure warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . .
12 Seat belt reminder light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Brake system warning light 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Discharge warning light
61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Low oil pressure warning light 61
. . . . . . . . . . .
16 Slip indicator light 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Headlight indicator light 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 31 . . . . . .
19 Open door warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Low engine oil level warning light 62 . . . . . . . .
21 Malfunction indicator lamp 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Vehicle skid control system off
indicator light 282 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Anti±lock brake system warning light 62 . . . . .
24 SRS warning light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Low washer fluid warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . .
26 Low fuel level warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xii
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 52. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Turn signal indicator light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Automatic transmission indicator lights 261 .
5 Overdrive off indicator light 264
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Odometer and trip meter 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 ODO/TRIP knob 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fuel gauge 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Vehicle skid control system warning light 63 .
10 Cruise control indicator light 274
. . . . . . . . . . .
11 Rear light failure warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . .
12 Seat belt reminder light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Brake system warning light 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Discharge warning light
61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Low oil pressure warning light 61
. . . . . . . . . . .
16 Slip indicator light 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Tail light indicator light 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 31 . . . . . .
19 Open door warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Low engine oil level warning light 62 . . . . . . . .
21 Malfunction indicator lamp 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Vehicle skid control system off
indicator light 282 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Anti±lock brake system warning light 62 . . . . .
24 SRS warning light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Low washer fluid warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . .
26 Low fuel level warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xiv
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 52. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Turn signal indicator light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Automatic transmission indicator lights 261 .
5 Overdrive off indicator light 264
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Odometer and trip meter 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 ODO/TRIP knob 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fuel gauge 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Cruise control indicator light 274
. . . . . . . . . . .
10 Rear light failure warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . .
11 Seat belt reminder light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Brake system warning light 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
13 Discharge warning light
61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Low oil pressure warning light 61
. . . . . . . . . . .
15 Slip indicator light 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Headlight indicator light 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Headlight high beam indicator light 31 . . . . . .
18 Open door warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Low engine oil level warning light 62 . . . . . . . .
20 Malfunction indicator lamp 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Anti±lock brake system warning light 62 . . . . .
23 SRS warning light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Low washer fluid warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . .
25 Low fuel level warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xvi
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 52. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Turn signal indicator light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Automatic transmission indicator lights 261 .
5 Overdrive off indicator light 264
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Odometer and trip meter 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 ODO/TRIP knob 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fuel gauge 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Cruise control indicator light 274
. . . . . . . . . . .
10 Rear light failure warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . .
11 Seat belt reminder light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Brake system warning light 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
13 Discharge warning light
61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Low oil pressure warning light 61
. . . . . . . . . . .
15 Slip indicator light 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Tail light indicator light 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Headlight high beam indicator light 31 . . . . . .
18 Open door warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Low engine oil level warning light 62 . . . . . . . .
20 Malfunction indicator lamp 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Anti±lock brake system warning light 62 . . . . .
23 SRS warning light 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Low washer fluid warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . .
25 Low fuel level warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BASIC OPERATION
1
QUICK REFERENCE
Driver's seat2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering wheel 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight and turn signal switch 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper switch 5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BE003±4
Note: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmi\
ssion by turning off the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For th\
e operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
277.
Parking, engine starting and key
removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine braking
Position for stronger engine braking
than that in º2º position
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ºONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button
Overdrive switch
ºOFFº position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)
ºO/D OFFº indicator
light on the instrument
cluster
For selecting either a three±speed or
four±speed transmission
ºONº position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible)
Lock release button (To prevent misshifting)
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
3
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
62
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add
oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ºChecking
the engine oil levelº on page 378.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which
causes the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves,
this light may come on due to the movement of engine
oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oilwill damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº
on page 50 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See
ºFuel tank capº on page 100 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine or
automatic transmission electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ºc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
(h) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in
your anti±lock brake system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ºONº, and will go off after about a few seconds.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the brake system operates
conventionally but anti±lock brake system is not
assisting brake performance so that the wheels could
lock up during a sudden brake or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely
closed.
(j) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned
on (at the first or second clickstop), it indicates that one
or more of the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one
or more stop lights are burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.

SECTION 3 ± 1
250
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter250
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 253
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 255
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 256
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 259
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 260
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 261
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 274
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 282
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 292
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 292
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER

With the brake pedal depressed, shift while hold-
ing the lock release button in. (The ignition
switch must be in the ºONº position)
Shift while holding the lock release button in.
STARTING AND DRIVING
261
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system
to minimize the possibility of incorrect operation.
This means you can only shift out of ºPº position
when the brake pedal is dep ressed (with the ignition
switch in ºONº position and the lock release button
pressed in). ( )
31E005
1
Lock release button