towing Lexus IS300 2002 Electrical Components / LEXUS 2002 IS300 WAGON OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53423U)

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
77
This belt is designed to hold the first±aid kit.
To loosen: Pull the buckle forward.
To tighten: Pull on the belt.
Make sure the first±aid kit is securely held.
LUGGAGE STOWAGE
PRECAUTIONS
When stowing luggage or cargo in the vehicle, observe
the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as
far forward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
CAUTION
To prevent luggage or packages from sliding forward
during braking, do not stack anything in the enlarged
trunk or the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep luggage or packages low, as close
to the floor as possible.
 Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk or
the luggage compartment. It is not designed for pas-
sengers. They could be injured in sudden braking or
a collision.
 Do not place anything on the package tray behind the
rear seatback or luggage cover. Such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 4
SV16090
CAUTION
Do not use the rear center seat belt with either buckle
released. Fastening only the shoulder belt or lap belt
may cause severe personal injury in case of sudden
braking or a collision.
Stowing the rear center seat belt
SV16105
1To stow the rear center seatbelt, line the concave end tab
upon the round end tab.

STARTING AND DRIVING
229
5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically
according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in º3º position, the automatic transmission
system will select the most suitable gear for the running
conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see º(b) Using engine brakingº.
(b) Driving in M mode
If the change lever is shifted to M position, the shift range
position can be switched over between 5 and 2 using the
shift switch on the steering wheel instead of operating the
change lever. The first shift range position is on 5 when
the change lever is shifted to M position.
SV31024

1ºMº position
When the selector lever is put in the ºMº position, the M MODE
indicator is shown on the instrument cluster.

STARTING AND DRIVING
232
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
234
(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 ºMº position and select the fourth gear
by pushing the transmission switch. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the ºDº 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
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission tooverheat. Alw ays use the brake pedal or parking brake.
(h) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,
then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving
it forward and backward. Do not attempt this procedure
if people or objects are anywhere near the vehicle.
During the rocking operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward as it becomes un±stuck,
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 iscompletely shifted to forward or reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning thewheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicleseveral times, consider other ways such as towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
236gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if acceleration is needed
when you are cruising below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too late will cause lugging,
and possibly pinging. Regularly revving the engine to
maximum speed in each gear will cause excessive engine
wear and high fuel consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower traffic, maximum
acceleration may be necessary. Make sure you observe the
following maximum allowable speeds in each gear: gear km/h (mph)
1 56 (35)
2 98 (61)
3 145 (91)
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 spin or skid.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before
shifting into reverse.

SECTION 3 ± 2
253
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period254
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Operation in foreign countries 254
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Tips for driving in various conditions s 255. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 256
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Dinghy towing 258
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Trailer towing 258
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 259
. . . . . . . . . . .

DRIVING TIPS
258
DINGHY TOWING
SV32002
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
SV32001
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. It is not designed for trailer towing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
279
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BETOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
In consultation with them, have your vehicle towed using
either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a
Lexus dealer or commercial tow truck service, tow your
vehicle carefully in accordance with the instructions
given in º(d) Emergency towingº on page 283.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not
damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are
generally aware of the state/provincial and local laws
pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly.
Although most operators know the correct procedure, it is
possible to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle,
make sure the following precautions are observed. If
necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the
state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the
ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use
a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
From front
SS41015
MANUAL TRANSMISSION:
We recommend using a towing dolly under the rear wheels. If
you do not use a towing dolly, release the parking brake and
put the transmission in neutral.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission
from the front with rear wheels on the ground, as thismay cause serious damage to the transmission.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
280
From rear
SS41016b
Place the ignition key in the ºACCº position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the ºLOCKº
position, as the steering lock mechanism is notstrong enough to hold the front wheels straight.
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequateground clearance for towing at the opposite end ofthe raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper and/orunderbody of the towed vehicle will be damagedduring towing.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
SS41017
 Tie down points
40E014