DRIVING TIPS
141 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work properly.
See page 126.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting
or braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in
engine speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine
braking, could cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive over 140 km / h (85 mph) unless your
vehicle has high-speed capability tires, regardless of
the legal speed limit. Driving over 140 km / h (85 mph)
may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are
wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer
stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold
the vehicle securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethylene-glycol antifreeze in the
radiator.
NOTICE:
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 222 tells you how to visually inspect the battery.
Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be pleased to
check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold
weather.
See page 199 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Lexus dealer − they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system / distributor ignition
system for loose connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de-icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing. To open a frozen lock, try heating the key before
inserting it.
DRIVING TIPS
147 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put
the transmission in “P”. Avoid parking on a slope with a
trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing
the following:
1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle
and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the “2”, “L” or “R” position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION:
Do not exceed 72 km / h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicle-trailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding 72
km / h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.Slow down and downshift before descending steep or
long downhill grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometers / mileage from a liter / gallon of fuel is
easy − just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money
on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
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.
