1992 Lexus ES300 engine overheat

STARTING AND DRIVING
96
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Catalytic
converter
The catalytic converter is an emission control device
installed in the exhaust system.
It looks somewhat like a muffler, but its purpose is to reduce
pollutants in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION:

Keep people and combustible materials away from the
exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust
gas is very hot.

Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything
that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.
NOTICE:
A large amount of unburned gas flowing into the
converter may cause it to overheat and create a fire
hazard. To prevent this and other damage, observe the
following precautions:

Use only unleaded gasoline.

Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running
out of gas could cause the engine to misfire, creating
an excessive load on the converter.

Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more
than 20 minutes.

Avoid racing the engine.

Do not push-start or pull-start your vehicle.

Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is
moving.

Keep your engine in good running order.
Malfunctions in the engine electrical, ignition or fuel
systems could cause an extremely high converter
temperature.

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, take your vehicle in for a check-up as soon
as possible. Remember, your Lexus dealer knows
your vehicle and its catalytic converter system best.

STARTING AND DRIVING
1001. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the ignition key to “START”. 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 “If your vehicle will not start” on page 124.
NOTICE:

Do not crank for more than 15 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 stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
104
(b) Using engine braking
Selector lever
Overdrive switch
: Shifting
“D” (Drive) range
“2” (Second) range
“L” (Low) range
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:

Turn off the overdrive switch. (This is effective only when
you are driving in the “D” range.) The “O/D OFF” indicator
light in the instrument cluster will come on and the
transmission will downshift to the third gear.

Shift into the “2” range. The transmission will downshift to
the second gear when the vehicle speed is 117 km/h (73
mph) or lower and more powerful engine braking will be
obtained.

Shift into the “L” range. The transmission will downshift to
the first gear when the vehicle speed is 55 km/h (34 mph)
or lower 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 or skid.
(c) Using the “2” and “L” ranges
The “2” and “L” ranges are used for strong engine braking as
described previously.
With the selector lever in “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle in
motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “2”, the vehicle will start in the first
gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, 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 range is given below for your
reference:
“2” ... 117 km/h (73 mph)
“L” ... 55 km/h (34 mph)

Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “2” or “L” range. This may cause severe
automatic transmission damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, “D” range should be used in
hill climbing or hard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
106
(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.
Shift lock override button:
If you cannot shift the selector lever from the “P” range to the
other ranges with the brake pedal depressed, push the shift
lock override button. For your safety, keep the brake pedal
depressed during the operation.
Transmission failure warning
If the “O/D OFF” indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the
transmission system.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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 needless wear. And do not
slightly release the pedal to hold the vehicle when stopped on
an uphill grade − use the parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and upshifting or
downshifting is easy.