2000 Lexus ES300 TRANSMISSION

DRIVING TIPS
332
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND
MAKE YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel
is easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle
last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to
save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure.
Check the pressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes
fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle.
Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine,
causing greater fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently.
Remember, however, that on cold winter days this
may take a little longer.
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit
starts.
 Keep the automatic transmission overdrive
turned on when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel
economy. (For details, see ªAutomatic transmissionº
on page 282.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the
engine and start again later.
 Avoid engine overrevving . Use a gear position
suitable for the road on which you are traveling.

SECTION 4
335
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving336
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 337
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 342
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 344
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 360
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 369
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 371
. . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
343
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ªPº and
apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there
is no sign of steam or coolant. Your engine could have
been seriously damaged already. Call your Lexus
dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of
very high pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air
conditioning. Check the following.
 Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
344
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in
the acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your
Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or
your vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon
as possible by your Lexus dealer.IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place ± well away
from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of
a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the pa rking brake and put the transmission
in ªPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away
from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
345
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not put any part of your body under a vehicle
supported by a jack. Personal injury may occur.
 Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.
 Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ªPº. Block
the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being
changed if necessary.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
362
40E019±1
Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatictransmission from the rear with front wheels onthe ground, as this may cause serious damage tothe transmission.
(b) Using a flat bed truck

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
368
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid
sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet
and towing cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable
or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cableor chain to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in ªNº. The ignition key must be in ªACCº
(engine off) or ªONº (engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
369
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
40E044
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ªPº
position to other positions even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1Turn the ignition key to ªLOCKº. Make sure the
parking brake is applied.
2Pry up the cover with a flat±bladed screwdriver or
equivalent.