1999 Lexus ES300 automatic transmission

SECTION 3 ± 1
250
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter250
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Engine exhaust caution 253
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Before starting the engine 255
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Ignition switch with steering lock 256
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Parking brake 259
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How to start the engine 260
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Automatic transmission 261
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Cruise control 274
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Electronic modulated suspension 278
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Traction control system 278
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Vehicle skid control system 282
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Brake system 286
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 292
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Types of tires 292
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THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER

With the brake pedal depressed, shift while hold-
ing the lock release button in. (The ignition
switch must be in the ºONº position)
Shift while holding the lock release button in.
STARTING AND DRIVING
261
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 dep ressed (with the ignition
switch in ºONº position and the lock release button
pressed in). ( )
31E005
1
Lock release button

STARTING AND DRIVING
262
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 turning 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
277.
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 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

STARTING AND DRIVING
2664. 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 traveling at low speed, the
transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
with the overdrive switch on.
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 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 º(b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
269
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº positions
The º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in º2º or ºLº, you can start the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º2º, the vehicle will start in the
first gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the transmission is
engaged in the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch thetachometer to keep engine rpm from going intothe red zone. The approximate maximumallowable speed for each position is givenabove for your reference.
º2º 128 km/h (80 mph) . . .
ºLº 70 km/h (43 mph) . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the º2º or ºLº position. This maycause severe automatic transmission damagefrom overheating. To prevent such damage,
ºDº position should be used in hill climbing orhard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
273
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the followingprecautions to prevent damage to thetransmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal whileshifting the selector lever or before thetransmission is completely shifted to forwardor reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning thewheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking thevehicle several times, consider other wayssuch 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, see ºIf you cannot
shift automatic transmission selector leverº on page
346.

STARTING AND DRIVING
276
Setting at a desired speed
31L014
The transmission must be in ºDº before you set the
cruise control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control
lever downward in the 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 speed 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.

SECTION 4
312
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving313
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If your vehicle will not start 314
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If your vehicle overheats 319
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If you have a flat tire 321
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If your vehicle needs to be towed 337
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If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever
346
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 348
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