1994 Lexus ES300 light

DRIVING TIPS
122
BREAK-IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break-in schedule with your new Lexus.
But following a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles)
can add to the future economy and long life of your vehicle:

Do not drive over 88 km / h (55 mph).

Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between 2000
and 4000 rpm.

Avoid full-throttle starts.

Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).

Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast
or slow.

Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles)
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded
and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS
CONDITIONS

Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.

Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp-edged objects and other road
hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire damage
resulting in tire bursts.

When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in “P”. If necessary, block
the wheels.

Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
pulled. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION:

Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is
off.

Certification
label
DRIVING TIPS
Total trailer weightTongue load
Total trailer weightTongue loadx 100 = 9 to 11 %
125 CAUTION:

The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo
load) must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Exceeding this
weight is dangerous.

The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross vehicle weight is the sum
weight of the unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers,
luggage, hitch and trailer tongue load. It also includes
the weight of any special equipment installed on your
vehicle.

The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from
distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles
must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
listed on the Certification Label.
The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the
tongue load is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer weight, not
exceeding the maximum of 90 kg (200 lb.). Never load
the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front.
About 60 % of the trailer load should be in the front half
of the trailer and the remaining 40 % in the rear.
Hitches

If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should
be consulted.

Use only a hitch which is recommended by the hitch
manufacturer and conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.

Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.

DRIVING TIPS
126
Lexus recommends removing the trailer hitch whenever
you are not towing a trailer to reduce the possibility of
additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind. After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of
pollutants such as exhaust fumes, dirt, water, etc.

Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a
trailer so that the rear license plate can be seen clearly.
NOTICE:

Install the trailer hitch using only the position
recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body
damage.

Do not use axle-mounted hitches as they can cause
damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels
or tires.
Brakes and safety chains

Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to
any applicable federal and state / provincial regulations.

A safety chain must always be used between the towing
vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the
ground in case it becomes damaged or separated. For
correct safety chain procedure, follow the hitch or
trailer manufacturer’s recommendations.CAUTION:

If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1000 lb.),
trailer brakes are required.

Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system as it will
lower its braking effectiveness.

Never tow a trailer without using a safery chain
securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If
damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there
is possible danger of the trailer wandering over into
another lane.
Tires

Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust
the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure
indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kg / cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)

The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
Trailer lights

Trailer lights must comply with federal, state / provincial and
local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer
or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for
your trailer. Check for correct operation of the turn signals
and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.

DRIVING TIPS
127
Break-in schedule

Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for
the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. Refer to the
maintenance schedule under severe driving conditions
(Schedule A) in Section 5 for specific information.
Pre-towing safety check

Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an
abnormal nose-up or nose-down condition, and check for
improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other
possible causes.

Be sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it can not
shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any applicable
federal, state / provincial or local regulation. If they do not,
install required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when
towing:

Before starting out, check operation of the lights and all
vehicle-trailer connections. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and connections. Practice
turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you get the feel of it.

DRIVING TIPS
130
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption,

Avoid lengthy warm-up idling. Once the engine is running
smoothly, begin driving−but gently. Remember, however,
that on cold winter days this may take a little longer.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.

Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.

Avoid engine overrevving. Use gear position suitable for
the road on which you are traveling.

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop-and-go driving wastes fuel.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the green traffic signals so you
need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of
through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance
from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
needless wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment
not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load
on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

Keep your vehicle tuned-up and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, perform all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance (See Section 5).
CAUTION:
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power
steering and brake booster will not function without the
engine running. Also, the emission control system
operates properly only when the engine is running.