1999 Lexus ES300 stop start

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
226When you insert a cassette tape, the exposed tape
should be to the right.
The player will automatically start when you insert a
cassette tape. At this time, ºTAPEº appears on the
display.
If a metal or chrome equivalent cassette
tape is put in the
cassette player, the player will automatically adapt to it
and ºMETALº appears on the display.
To stop or eject the cassette tape, push the ºEJECTº
button.
Auto±reverse feature: After the cassette player
reaches the end of a tape, it automatically reverses and
begins to play the other side, regardless of whether the
cassette was playing or fast forwarding.
20E023±1

STARTING AND DRIVING
270
(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 ismoving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
271
(e) Parking
31E011±1

1Brake 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 to 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 DRIVING
272
(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 thetransmission to overheat. Always use the brakepedal 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
286
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work.
However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system
warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist
the brakes. If the engine should quit while you are
driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve vacuum for
one or two stops but no more!

STARTING AND DRIVING
288
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock±up of the wheels
during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces. This assists in providing directional
stability and steering performance of the vehicle
under these circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when
the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the anti±lock brake
system is in the self±check mode, and does not indicate
a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. Pumping the brake pedal makes the stopping
distance longer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
289
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake
system may indicate hazardous road surface
conditions. Although the anti±lock brake system assists
in providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care, because the anti±lock brake system
cannot overcome the laws of physics that act on your
vehicle:

Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the
road surface. 
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.

DRIVING TIPS
295
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new
Lexus. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600
km (1000 miles) can add to the future 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.