2000 Lexus ES300 tow

AIR CONDITIONING
227
For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
Air conditioning ± OFF
Defogging and defrosting
± The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Temperature ± Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right) to heat;
COLD (to the left) to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
When pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button, the
air intake selects OUTSIDE AIR automatically. This is
to clean up the front view more quickly. If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ª
FRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield
± the difference between the outside and inside
temperatures could make the fogging worse.
± The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Temperature ± Towards high temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD

AIR CONDITIONING
228For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
When pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button, the
air intake selects OUTSIDE AIR automatically. This is
to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ª FRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the
windshield, choose floor/windshield air flow.

STARTING AND DRIVING
287
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal.
Depress the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth
starting.
The vehicle will start in the first gear and automatically
shift to the most suitable gear for the running conditions,
such as the vehicle speed, hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
However, while the engine coolant temperature is low
and the vehicle is traveling at low speed, the
transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
with the overdrive on.
When the lever is in the ªDº 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, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. The
transmission will automatically downshift to the third,
second or first gear, according to the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a
long hill, see ª(c) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
290
(d) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you can start the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle will start in the
first gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is
engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch thetachometer to keep engine rpm from going intothe red zone. The approximate maximumallowable speed for each position is givenabove for your reference.
ª2º 128 km/h (80 mph) . . .
ªLº 71 km/h (44 mph) . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the ª2º or ªLº position. This maycause severe automatic transmission damagefrom overheating. To prevent such damage,
ªDº position should be used in hill climbing orhard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
293
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing
a gentle slope, the overdrive should be turned off. 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.
(h) 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 backward as it becomes un±stuck,
causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.

STARTING AND DRIVING
294
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.
(i) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ªPº position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from ªPº position
even though the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift
lock override button. For instructions, see ªIf you cannot
shift automatic transmission selector leverº on page
369.

SECTION 3 ± 2
316
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period317
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Operation in foreign countries 317
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Tips for driving in various conditions 317
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 319
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Trailer towing 321
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 332
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DRIVING TIPS
317
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 ªPº.
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.