1998 Lexus ES300 cluster

With the brake pedal depressed, shift while holding
the lock release button in. (The ignition switch must
be in the ºONº position)
Shift while holding the lock release button in.
STARTING AND DRIVING137
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
ºPº position when the brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition switch
in ºONº position and the lock release button pressed in). ( )
31E005
1
Lock release button
2Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or four±speed transmission.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the
transmission by t urning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will not
be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation\
to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 146.
3 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 º2º position

STARTING AND DRIVING
140
In ºDº 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 pe\
dal 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 º(\
b) Using
engine brakingº.
(b) Using engine braking
31E009±2
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the transmission in the way
described below:
1 Turn off the overdrive switch. (This is effective only when you are
driving in the ºDº position.) The ºO/D OFFº indicator light in th\
e
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 by t urning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will not
be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. If you need to
decrease the vehicle speed, see page 146.
2 Shift into the º2º position. The transmission will downshift to t\
he
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
144
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.
Turning on the system
31L013
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns the syste\
m on.
The indicator light in the instrument cluster shows that you can now set yo\
ur
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 on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep the main
switch off when not using the cruise control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
146
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ºSET/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) e\
ach time
by pressing the control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº direction
quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal and then press
the control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you turn off the overdrive switch 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 depr\
essing
the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the ºRES/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.
Cruise control failure warning
If the ºCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes fi\
ve times and
then goes out when using the cruise control, it means that 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.
31E012±2
1 For sporty type driving such as on winding mountain roads and high
speed driving
2For moderate high speed driving
3For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
4For driving on a bumpy road

ENGINE
196
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl Tertiary±Butyl Ether) are
available in the market. If you use a gasoline mixed with MTBE, make
certain that it does not contain more than 15% of MTBE.
If the use of gasolines containing MTBE causes poor drivability and/or p\
oor
fuel economy, you should stop using them.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing additive called MMT
(methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that contain MMT. If fuels
containing MMT are used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument cluster may
come on. If this happens, contact your Lexus dealer for service.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use gasohol in your
Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an octane rating no lower than 87
and does not contain more than 10% ethanol. Lexus does not recommend
the use of gasolines containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline meeting the
requirements above and also containing less than 5% methanol with
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol.
NOTICE
 Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system
damage or vehicle performance problems.
 If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot starting, vaporizing,
engine knock, etc.), discontinue its use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp.gal.)
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL
CONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling the inside of th\
e
engine, and plays a major role in maintaining the engine in proper working
order.