1997 Lexus ES300 brake

127
SECTION 3 ± 1
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter 128
Engine exhaust caution 129
Before starting the engine 130
Ignition switch with steering lock 130
Parking brake 131
How to start the engine 132
Automatic transmission 133
Cruise control 140
Electronic modulated suspension 143
Traction control system 144
Brake system 145
Brake pad wear limit indicators 147
Types of tires 148

STARTING AND DRIVING
131 If you leave the key in the ªACCº or ªLOCKº position and
open the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
ªLOCKº ± 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 ªACCº to the ªLOCKº
position. The selector lever must be put in the ªPº position
befoer turning the key in the ªLOCKº position.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ªLOCKº 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 moving, turn the key only to ªACCº.
PARKING BRAKE
To set: Hold the regular brake pedal down with your
right foot. Push down the parking brake pedal with your
left foot.
To release: Hold the regular brake down with your right
foot and push and parking brake pedal with your left
foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking barke
pedal will follow it to the released position.
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake.
CAUTION!
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is
off.

STARTING AND DRIVING
132
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ªPº. If you need to restart the
engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in
ªNº. A starter safety device will prevent the starter from
operating if the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until you
are ready to drive off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions
in ªBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine
by turning the key to ªSTARTº. 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 ªIf your vehicle will not startº on page 162.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time.
This may overheat the starter and wiring system.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
133
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of ªPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition switch in
ªONº position and the lock release button pressed in).
(*)

Lock release button
With the brake pedal depressed, shift while
holding the lock release button in. (The ignition
switch must be in the ªONº position).
Shift while holding the lock release button in.Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or four±speed
transmission.
When the cruise control is being used even if you
downshift the transmission, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see ªCruise
controlº on page 142.
Shift position indicator
The shift position is also displayed on the instrument
cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
2:Position for engine braking
L:Position for stronger engine braking than that in ª2º
position

STARTING AND DRIVING
135

OnOff
2. Set the overdriving pattern switch to the ON
position.
Always set the overdrive switch to the ON position to
improve fuel economy and quiet driving. (See ª(b) Using
engine brakingº and ª(f) Good driving practiceº for
exceptions.)

Brake pedalªDº (Drive) position
3. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift
the selector lever to ªDº.
CAUTION!
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
4. 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 a low speed, the transmission will not shift into
the overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
138
(d) Backing up

Brake pedalªRº (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(e) Parking

Brake pedalParking brake pedal
ªPº (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªPº position.
CAUTION!
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move
the selector lever into ªPº under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle
control may result.

STARTING AND DRIVING
139
(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.
(g) Rocking your vehicle in stuck
CAUTION
If you rock your vehicle to make it out when it
becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., first check
that there is no physical object or people around the
vehicle. During operation, the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward, causing injury or damage
to nearby people or objects.!
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following
precautions to prevent damage to the transmission
and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while
shifting the selector lever or before the
transmission is completely shifted to forward or
reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the
wheels
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the
vehicle several times, consider other ways such as
towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
140
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of
ªPº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from ªPº position even
thought the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see ªIf you cannot shift
automatic transmission selector leverº on page 177.
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 great speed change will occur so it is better to drive
without the cruise control.
CAUTION!
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. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation
to the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.