1997 Lexus ES300 cruise control

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
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
136In ªDº position, 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 ª(b) Using engine brakingº.
(b) Using engine braking
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 ªDº position.) The ªO/D OFFº
indicator light in the instrument cluster will come on and
the transmission will downshift to the third gear and
engine braking will be obtained.
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. If
you need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 142.
Shift into the ª2º position. The transmission will
downshift to the second gear when the vehicle speed is
lower than 122 km/h (76 mph) and more powerful
engine braking will be obtained.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
141
Turning on the system
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. Thus
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 off.
CAUTION!
To avoid accidental cruise control engagements,
keep the main switch off when not using the cruise
control.
Setting at a desired speed
The transmission must be in ªDº before you set the cruise
control speed.
Bring your vehicle to the desired speed, push the control
lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº 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 for accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the
speed set prior to the acceleration.

STARTING AND DRIVING
142
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever i the ªCANCELº direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed tops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically be cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than
these reasons, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer at the earliest opportunity.
Resetting to a faster speed
Pressing the control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held upward, the vehicle
will gradually gain speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and
the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can
be increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the
control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº direction quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle
and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held downward, the
vehicle speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and
the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can
be lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the
control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction
quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake
pedal and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you turn off the overdriveswitch with the cruise
control on, engine braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle
speed, reset to a slower speed with the cruise control lever
or depress the brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise
control is cancelled.
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever
or by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the
ªRES/ACCº direction will restore the speed set prior to
cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed falls below
about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will not be
resumed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
143
Cruise control failure warning
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster
flashes five times and then goes out when using the cruise
control, it means there is trouble in the cruise control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED
SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers with the control
switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is suited to the
driving conditions with the control switch to provide
good riding comfort and stability.

For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
For moderate high speed driving
For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
For driving on a bumpy road