1999 Lexus ES300 Indicator

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267
(b) Using engine braking
31E009±2
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Turn off the overdrive switch. (This is effective only
when you are driving in the ºDº position.) The ºO/D
OFFº indicator light in the instrument cluster will
come on and the transmission will downshift to the
third gear and engine braking will be obtained.
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. If you
need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 277.
2 Shift into the º2º position. The transmission will
downshift to the second gear when the vehicle
speed is lower than 122 km/h (76 mph) and more
powerful engine braking will be obtained.
3Shift into the ºLº position. The transmission will
downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed
is lower than 55 km/h (34 mph) and maximum
engine braking will be applied.

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275
Turning on the system
31L013
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This
turns the system on. The indicator light in the instrument
cluster shows that you can now set your 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.

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278
Cruise control failure warning
If the ºCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster
flashes five 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.
31E044
1For 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
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±1

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279
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.
31E054a

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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281
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 system.
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.

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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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283
31E046a
You can turn off the vehicle skid control system by
pushing the ºVSC OFFº switch. The ºVSC OFFº
indicator comes on. At this time, the traction control
system also turns off. You cannot turn off either one
of them. Pushing the ºVSC OFFº switch a second
time turns the system back on and extinguishes the
ºVSC OFFº indicator light.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always
turns on.