brake Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 (OM53439U) User Guide

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
50
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state emission inspection if the
malfunction indicator lamp remains on. Contact your Lexus
dealer to check your vehicle's emission control system and
OBD (On±Board Diagnostics) system before taking your
vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see ºEmissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M)
programsº on page 297.
(i) ºABSº Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº
position. If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system, the brake
assist system, the traction control system and/or the vehicle
skid control system do not operate, but the brake system still
operates conventionally.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system and/or the
traction control system do/does not operate so that the wheels
could lock up during a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces. If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning
light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ºONº position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the ºABSº warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the anti±lock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
(j) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
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(k) 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.
(l) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
(m) ºTRAC OFFº Indicator / Warning Lights
This light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to ºONº,
and will go off after a few seconds. This means that the system
is operating properly.
If the light flashes, this indicates a malfunction in the traction
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
(n)Vehicle Skid Control System Warning Light
(With vehicle skid control system)
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle skid control system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº,
and will go off after a few seconds.If the ºVSCº warning light comes on, the vehicle skid control
system and traction control system do not work. However, as
conventional braking operates when applied, there is no
problem to continue your driving.
If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning
light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible
to service the vehicle:

The ºVSCº warning light does not come on after the ignition
is turned to on.
 The ºVSCº warning light remains on after the ignition is
turned to on.
 The ºVSCº warning light and ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light come on while driving without pushing ºTRAC OFFº
switch.
(o) Automatic Headlight Leveling System
Warning Light
This light warns that when there is a problem somewhere in the
automatic headlight leveling system.
If it comes on, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver's door with the ignition key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº
position.
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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
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How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.


or
or

or
The following service reminder indicators go off after a few
seconds.
or

The lights other than the slip indicator light may stay on for
about 60 seconds after the engine is started. It is normal if they
go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not
function as described above, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

SECTION 3 ± 1
223
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter224
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Engine exhaust caution 225
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Before starting the engine 226
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Ignition switch with steering lock 227
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Parking brake 228
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. . . . . .
How to start the engine 229
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Automatic transmission 230
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Manual transmission 239
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Electronic controlled transmission 240
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Cruise control 241
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Traction control system 244
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Vehicle skid control system 247
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Electronic throttle control system 249
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Brake system 250
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. . . . . .
Brake pad wear indicators 254
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Types of tires 254
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Limited ±slip differential 255
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2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
228When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ºLOCKº 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 ºACCº.
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.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
229
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 ºPº. If you
need to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, put the
selector lever in ºNº. 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
ºBefore 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:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when the engine starts. 2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready
to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a
few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the
engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 267.
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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
230
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 depressed with the ignition switch in ºONº
position. ()
SV31020

The shift position is displayed on the instrument
cluster.
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
M: Position for manual shifting up or downshifting
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from º5º to º4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
243.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
232
SS31019

1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ºNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ºPowerº, ºNormalº or ºSnowº mode \
to suit
your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ºNormalº position to improve fuel
economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the ºPowerº position.
In the ºPowerº position, the ºECT 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
ºNormalº position.
For ºSnowº mode, see ºElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 249.
SV31022

1Brake pedal 2ºDº (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº 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 ºDº position. (See º(c) Using engine brakingº and\
º(g)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
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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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
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(e) Backing up
SV31025

1Brake pedal 2ºRº (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 ºRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(f) Parking
SV31026

1Brake pedal 2Parking brake lever
3ºPº (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ºPº position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into ºPº under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)