clutch Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

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
239
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SV31034
The shift pattern is the conventional pattern shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while shifting, and then
release it slowly. Do not rest your foot on the pedal while
driving, because it will cause clutch trouble. And do not use the
clutch to hold the vehicle when stopped on an uphill grade ±
use the parking brake.
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.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and upshifting or
downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel economy and vehicle
performance, you should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds: gear 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
240Good 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.
ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION
(Vehicle with automatic transmission only)
SV31039

1Power position 2Normal position
The electronic controlled system has 2 modes: Normal
and Power modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving.
In the power mode, 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 normal
mode.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
242
Setting operation
SV31030

Each function is described below.
1Setting at a desired speed.
Automatic transmission: The transmission must be in the
ºDº position or the gear position must be º4º or º5º in M mode
before you set the cruise control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever
downward in the ºSET/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 the
accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the speed set prior
to the acceleration.
2Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ºCANCELº direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
c. Depressing the clutch pedal (manual transmission)
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 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.
3Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the ºRES/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 ºRES/ACCº direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle
and then press the control lever downward in the
ºSET/COASTº direction.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

MAINTENANCE
294Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the maintenance schedule. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
ªOwner's Manual Supplementº or ªScheduled Maintenanceº.)
See page 333 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check under
neath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after
the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid or back door, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine
hood secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch
is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly. Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive free
play or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Ch
eck that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position. For folding±down rear
seatbacks, check that the latches lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

CHASSIS
325
± CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay
5 ± 15 mm (0.2 ± 0.6 in.)
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
± BRAKESPedal clearance *
199 mm (3.9 in.) Min.
Pedal free play1 ± 6 mm (0.04 ±0.24 in.)
Brake pad wear limit1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
Parking brake lining wear limit1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
Parking brake adjustment *25 ± 8 clicks
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
*1Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with the force of 490 N (49 kgf,\
110 lbf.) with the engine running
*
2Parking brake adjustment when pulled with the force of 196 N (20 kgf, 4\
4 lbf.)
± STEERING Free play
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)