1998 Lexus ES300 brake

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.)
31E008

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
31E010

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
31E011±1

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 DRIVING145
Setting at a desired speed
31L014
The transmission must be in ºDº before you set the cruise control spe\
ed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever downward in th\
e
ºSET/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 the
accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the speed set prior to the
acceleration.
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ºCANCELº direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset spee\
d will
be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 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
Press the control lever upward in the ºRES/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) eac\
h
time by pressing the control lever upward in the ºRES/ACCº direction
quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle and then press the
control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº direction.

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

STARTING AND DRIVING147
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control the spinning of
the front wheels which may occur when accelerating on slippery road
surfaces, thus assisting driver to control the driving power of the front
wheels.
31E013
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns on. Leave
the system on during ordinary driving so that it can operate when needed.
When traction control is applied, the slip indicator light blinks.
31E014±1
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing the ºTRAC OFFº
switch. The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing
the ºTRAC OFFº switch a second time turns the system back on
and extinguishes the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel vibration or nois\
e
of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the sy\
stem
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the traction control
system will help operate to prevent the wheels from spinning.
Traction control failure warning
If the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the traction control syste\
m.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of the
vehicle and power to the front wheels cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious pace.