1992 Lexus ES300 tow

STARTING AND DRIVING
103
Overdrive switchOn
Off
Indicator light
4. Set the overdrive switch to the ON position.
Always set the overdrive switch to the ON position for improved
fuel economy and quiet driving. (See “(b) Using engine
braking” and “(f) Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
Accelerator
pedal
Brake pedal
“D” (Drive)
range
Selector lever
Parking brake
lever
5. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.CAUTION:
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
6. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the
accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
The vehicle will start in the first gear and automatically shift to
the most suitable gear for the running conditions, such as the
vehicle speed, hill climbing, hard towing, etc. However, while
the engine coolant temperature is low and the vehicle is
travelling at low speed, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on.
In “D” range, 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, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. The transmission will
automatically downshift to the third, second or first gear,
according to the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(b) Using engine braking”.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
107 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 65 (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 52 (32)
2 83 (52)
3 127 (79)
NOTICE:
Do not downshift if you are going faster than the
maximum 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 efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use the
fifth gear.
CAUTION:
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle to
spin or skid.
NOTICE:
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before
shifting into reverse.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a greater
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.