1998 Lexus ES300 key

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 DRIVING
138
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in the following
parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº position
(a) Normal driving
31E006

1
ºPº (Park) position 2ºNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the engineº on page 136.
The transmission must be in ºPº or ºNº. The engine will not st\
art in ºRº, º2º,
ºLº or ºDº position even if the ignition key is turned to ºSTARTº.

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 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
31E015
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.

SECTION 4
161
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving162
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 162
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 166
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 167
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 173
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever 177
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 178
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
162
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off
the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf your vehicle will not startº\
.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work, so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the correct starting
procedure instructions in ºHow to start the engineº on page 136 and that you
have sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is equipped with the engine
immobiliser system, also check whether the other keys will start the engine.
If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexu\
s
dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly broken. Call your
Lexus dealer. See ºKeysº on page 7.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the ba\
ttery
is discharged. You may try jump starting. See º(c) Jump startingº for further
instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs adju\
stment or
repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ºForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY163
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle o\
r cause
a collision when the engine starts. Also the three±way catalytic conv\
erter
/ warm up three±way catalytic converter may overheat and become a fir\
e
hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not start ±
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See º(b) Star\
ting
a flooded engineº for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
ºForewordº.)
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded because of
repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to ºSTARTº with the accelerator pedal held down.
Continue this operation for 30 seconds and then stop cranking. Then try
starting the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, release the key\
, wait
a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus
dealer. Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
ºForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.