1998 Lexus ES300 parking brake

STARTING AND DRIVING135
If you leave the key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position and open \
the driver's
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
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ºLOCKº ± 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 ºACCº to the ºLOCKº po\
sition. The
selector lever must be put in the ºPº position before turning the key to t\
he
ºLOCKº position.
Once
you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is automatically set.
See ºEngine immobiliser systemº on page 9.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the ºLOCKº positio\
n.
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 ºACCº.
PARKING BRAKE
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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 pedal down with your right foot and
push the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your le\
ft
foot, the parking brake 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
136
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 ºPº. If you need to restart the engine \
while the
vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ºNº. A starter safety devic\
e will
prevent the starter from operating if the selector lever is in any drive positi\
on.
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 ºBefore
crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection sys\
tem
in your engine automatically controls the proper air±fuel mixture for s\
tarting.
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 ºSTARTº. 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 minut\
es
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 ºIf 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 systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.

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 DRIVING139
31E007±1

1On 2Off
2. Set the overdrive switch to the ON position.
Always set the overdrive switch to the ON position to improve fuel economy
and quiet driving. (See º(b) Using engine brakingº and º(f)\
Good driving
practiceº for exceptions.)
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1 Brake pedal 2ºDº (Drive) position
3. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever
to ºDº.
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 mos\
t
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 traveling at low speed, the transmission will no\
t shift
into the overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
142
(d) Backing up
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1Brake pedal 2ºRº (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 ºRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(e) Parking
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1 Brake pedal 2Parking brake pedal
3ºPº (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 t\
o
the ºPº position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into ºPº under any circumstances. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may result.

STARTING AND DRIVING143
(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 if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then
you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward
and backward. Do not attempt this procedure if people or
objects are anywhere near the vehicle. During the rocking
operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward or back as
it becomes un±stuck, 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.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº
position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from ºPº position even though\
the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For instructions, se\
e ºIf
you cannot shift automatic transmission selector leverº on page 177.

STARTING AND DRIVING149

Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a driver cannot
maintain full control on certain slippery road surfaces, when cornering at
high speeds, or in violent maneuvers.
 Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake system cannot
eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Compared
with vehicles not fitted with an anti±lock brake system, your vehicle\
may
require a longer stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has other differences
in surface height. ºABSº warning light
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This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº po\
sition.
After about a few seconds, the light will go off.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning light system. Contact your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as described above, or remains on.
 The light comes on while driving.
Even if the anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake system will still
operate conventionally. But when the ºABSº warning light is on (and the
brake system warning light is off), anti±lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden brake or
braking on slippery road surfaces. Have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding±down of the brake shoes periodically or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.

DRIVING TIPS
152
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new Lexus. But follow\
ing
a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add to the fu\
ture
economy and long life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid full±throttle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded and minimum
octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you much better
control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp±edged objects and other road hazards. Failure to do so can
lead to severe tire damage resulting in tire bursts.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking brake, and place the
transmission in ºPº. If necessary, block the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get the brakes
wet. To see whether they are wet, check that there is no traffic near you and
then press the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking force, the
brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still
do not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a Lexus dealer for
assistance.