1999 LEXUS SC300 engine

STARTING AND DRIVING
223
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1
Shift into the º4º position. The transmission will
downshift to the fourth gear and engine braking will be
obtained.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ºDº to º4º, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. If
you need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 245.
2Shift into the º3º position. The transmission will
downshift to the third gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than 149 km/h (93 mph) and more
powerful engine braking will be obtained.
3Shift into the º2º position. The transmission will
downshift to the second gear when the vehicle speed is
or becomes lower than 97 km/h (61 mph) and more
powerful engine braking than that of º3º position will
be obtained.
4Shift into the ºLº position. The transmission will
downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than 18 km/h (11 mph) and maximum
engine braking will be applied.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle to spin
or skid.

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224
(c) Using the º3º, º2º and ºLº positions
The º3º, º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong engine\
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in º3º, º2º or ºLº, you can sta\
rt the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º3º or º2º, the vehicle will start in
the first gear and automatically shift to the third or 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 the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum allowable speed for
each position is given below for your reference:
º3º 153 km/h (96 mph) . . . .
º2º 100 km/h (63 mph) . . . .
ºLº 65 km/h (41 mph) . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the º3º, º2º or ºLº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, º4º position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up

STARTING AND DRIVING
227
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, shift the selector lever to the º4º position. Be
sure to shift the selector lever to the ºDº position after
climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain ef ficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive. The selector lever must be in the º4º position.
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 the transmission to
overheat. Always use the brake pedal 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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228
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following
precautions to prevent damage to the transmission and
other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting the
selector lever or before the transmission is completely
shifted to forward or reverse gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle
several times, consider other ways such as towing.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever 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 306.

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230

The shift position is 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)
3: Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive
not possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ºDº to º3º, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
245.
2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking 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

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231
(a) Normal driving
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the
engineº on page 216.
The transmission must be in ºPº or ºNº. The engine will not
start in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
ºSTARTº.

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233
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº position to improve fuel economy and
quiet driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive
gear is possible. However, while the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even in the ºDº position. (See º(b) Using
engine brakingº and º(f) Good driving practiceº for
exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting.

STARTING AND DRIVING
2345. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain
the suitable driving power and engine braking.
In º3º 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, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see º(b) Using engine brakingº.
(b) Using engine braking