1999 Lexus ES300 brake

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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277
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) each 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.
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) each 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 depressing 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
280You 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.
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 traction control
system is in the self
±check mode, and does not indicate
malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, you may
feel vibration or noise of your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system 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.

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282
VEHICLE SKID CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle skid control system helps provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as an
anti±lock brake system, traction control, engine
control, etc. This system automatically controls the
output of the brakes or engine to help prevent the
vehicle from skidding when cornering on a slippery
road surface or abrupt steering wheel operation
occurs.
31E013±1

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip
indicator light flashes and an alarm sounds
intermittently.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9 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 vehicle skid
control is in the self±check mode and does not indicate
a malfunction.

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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!