2000 Lexus LS400 brake

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287
1To set: Fully depress the parking brake pedal.
2To release: Pull the parking brake release lever.
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking
brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.

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288
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ºPº. If you need to restart the
engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever
in ºNº. A starter safety device will prevent the starter
from operating if the selector lever is in any drive
position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until
driving off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the
instructions in ºBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system in your engine automatically
controls the proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can
start a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the
engine by turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when
the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are
ready to drive. If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up
for a few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle
while the engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it, using the correct procedure given in
normal starting.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 351.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a
time. This may overheat the starter and wiringsystems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checkedimmediately.

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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 depressed with the ignition
switch in ºONº position. ( )

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295
31l055a

1ºDº (Drive) position 2Brake pedal
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
2965. 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.
When the lever is in the ª4º 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

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(d) Backing up
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1ºRº (Reverse) position 2Brake pedal
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift
the selector lever to the ºRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle ismoving.
When you are backing up, you can adjust the outside
rear view mirror on the passenger's side down quickly.
For details, see page 138.

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(e) Parking
31L009a

1ºPº (Park) position 2Brake pedal
3Parking brake pedal
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift
the selector lever to the ºPº position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into ºPº under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control
may result.

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(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down
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 efficient
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 thetransmission to overheat. Always use the brakepedal or parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck