1999 Lexus ES300 ignition

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
216CD mode:
Direct access to a desired
program
(See page 239 for details.)
Using your audio system: some basics
This section describes some of the basic features of the
Lexus audio system. Some information may not pertain
to your system.
Your audio system works when the ignition key is in the
ºACCº or ºONº position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the car audio on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.
(a) Turning the system on and off
20E012±1
Push this knob to turn the audio system on and off.
Turn this knob to adjust the volume.
The system turns on in the last mode used.
20E013±1

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

STARTING AND DRIVING
252
NOTICEA large amount of unburned gases flowing intothe three±way catalytic converter may cause it tooverheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this
and other damage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;running out of fuel could cause the engine tomisfire, creating an excessive load on thethree±way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed formore than 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle ismoving.
Keep your engine in good running order.Malfunctions in the engine electrical system,electronic ignition system/distributor ignitionsystem or fuel system could cause anextremely high three±way catalytic converter
temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, take your vehicle in for a check±upas soon as possible. Remember, your Lexusdealer knows your vehicle and its three±waycatalytic converter system best.

STARTING AND DRIVING
256
IGNITION SWITCH WITHSTEERING LOCK
31E036

STARTING AND DRIVING
257
ºSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to
the ºONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 260.
ºONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ºONº position if the
engine is not running. The battery will dischargeand the electronic ignition system/distributorignition system could be damaged.
ºACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but
the engine is off.
If you leave the key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position and
open the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to
remove the key.

STARTING AND DRIVING
258
31E037
ºLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is
locked. The ignition key can be removed only at this
position.
You must push in the key to turn it from ºACCº to the
ºLOCKº position. The selector lever must be put in the
ºPº position before turning the key to the ºLOCKº
position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser
system is automatically set. See ºEngine immobiliser
systemº on page 12.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ºLOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is
pushed all the way in, and then rock the steering wheel
slightly while turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while
the vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ºACCº.

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
263
(a) Normal driving
31E006

1ºPº (Park) position 2ºNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the
engineº on page 260.
The transmission must be in ºPº or ºNº. The engine will
not start in ºRº, º2º, ºLº or ºDº position even if \
the ignition
key is turned to ºSTARTº.