1997 Lexus ES300 towing

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
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
137 Shift into the ªLº position. The transmission will
downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed is
lower than 55 km/h (34 mph) 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 and skid.
(c) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle will start in the first
gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, 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 position is given below
for your reference:
Transmission Transfer
ª2º 128 km/h (80 mph)
ªLº 70 km/h (43 mph)
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the ª2º or ªLº position. This may
cause severe automatic transmission damage
from overheating. To prevent such damage, ªDº
position should be used in hill climbing or hard
towing.

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.