1992 Lexus ES300 ignition

SECTION 3 – 1
95
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Catalytic converter96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution
97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine
97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control107 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system11 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires11 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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
98Remember to check that the warning lights function when
turning the ignition key to “ON”, and check the fuel gauge to
see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK
“START” − Starter motor on. The ignition key will return to
the “ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page 99.
“ON” − Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE:
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position if the engine is
not running. The battery will discharge and the ignition
system could be damaged.
“ACC” − Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
“LOCK” − Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from “ACC” to the “LOCK”
position. On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
selector lever must be put in the “P” range before turning the
key to the “LOCK” position.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
“LOCK” 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 in motion, turn the key only to “ACC”

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.

With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while pressing the lock release button in
(The ignition switch must be in the
“ON” position)
Shift while pressing the lock
release button in
Shift without pressing the button
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 “2” range
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Shift position indicator
Shows the selector lever position.
Shift position is also displayed
on the instrument cluster.
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three-speed
or four-speed transmission
Selector lever
Shift lock override buttonDriving pattern selector switch
For selecting a driving pattern suitable
for existing driving conditions
ON position
(Shifting into overdrive possible)
OFF position
(Shifting into overdrive not possible)
NORMAL position
for general driving
conditions
POWER position
for powerful acceleration
STARTING AND DRIVING
101
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STARTING AND DRIVING
102Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in the
following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “2” and “L” ranges
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(a) Normal driving
Selector lever“P” (Park) range
“N” (Neutral) range
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 99.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N”. The engine will not start
in “R”, “2”, “L” or “D” range even if the ignition key is turned to
“START”.
Driving pattern
selector switch
“NORM” (Normal) position
“PWR” (Power) position
Indicator light
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the “NORM”
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select either “NORM” or “PWR” to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the “NORM” position to improve fuel economy
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the “PWR” position.
In the “PWR” position, the “ECT PWR” 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
“NORM” position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
108CAUTION:

To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle, do
not use the cruise control when driving in heavy or
varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow-covered) or winding roads.

Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving downhill.
Use engine braking by downshifting the transmission.
Turning on the system
Control lever
Main switch
On
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns
the system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster
shows that you can now set your desired cruising speed.
Another push on the switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push
the main switch again to turn it on.CAUTION:
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep the
main switch off when not using the cruise control.
Setting at a desired speed
Control lever
Main switch
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever
downward in the “SET/COAST” 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, the vehicle will return to the speed set prior to the
acceleration.