2001 Lexus ES300 cruise control

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285
2Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or four±speed
transmission.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off the
overdrive switch, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. For the operation to decrease the
vehicle speed, see page 300.
3Shift position indicator
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal
position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving (with overdrive on) position
2: Position for stronger engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking Correct use of the automatic transmission is
explained in the following parts.
(a) Overdrive switch
(b) Normal driving
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
(e) Backing up
(f) Parking
(g) Good driving practice
(h) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
(i) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ªPº
position

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286
(a)Overdrive switch
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You can select either third gear (with overdrive off) or
fourth gear (with overdrive on) by pushing this switch.
To turn the overdrive off, push the switch. The ªO/D
OFFº indicator light should come on. To turn the
overdrive on again, push the switch again. The ªO/D
OFFº indicator light should go off.
Always drive your vehicle with the overdrive on for better
fuel economy and quieter driving.
If the engine is turned off when the overdrive is off and
restarted, the overdrive will automatically be on.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and releasing the
overdrive switch, engine braking will not be enabled
because the cruise control is not cancelled.
For ways to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 300.

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291
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1
Push the overdrive switch. (This is effective only
when you are driving in the ªDº position.) The ªO/D
OFFº indicator light in the instrument cluster will
come on and the transmission will downshift to third
gear.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by pushing and
releasing the overdrive switch, engine braking will
not be enabled because the cruise control is not
cancelled. If you need to decrease the vehicle
speed, see page 300.
2 Shift into the ª2º position. The transmission will
downshift to second gear when the vehicle speed
is lower than 120 km/h (75 mph) and stronger
engine braking will be enabled.
3Shift into the ªLº position. The transmission will
downshift to first gear when the vehicle speed is
lower t han 55 km/h (34 mph) and maximum engine
braking will be enabled.
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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297
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle
at a desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight
speed change may occur when driving up or down a
gradient, within the limits of engine performance. On
steeper hills, a great speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow±covered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.

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298
Turning on the system
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To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This
turns the system on. The indicator light in the instrument
cluster shows that you can now set your desired cruising
speed. Another push on the switch will turn the system
completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is
also automatically turned off. To use the cruise control
again, push the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.

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Setting operation
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Each function is described below.
1. Setting at a desired speed
The transmission must be in ªDº before you set the
cruise control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control
lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction and
release it. This sets the vehicle at that speed. Now you
may take your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you need
acceleration ± for example, when passing ± depress the
accelerator pedal enough for the vehicle to exceed the
set speed. When you release the accelerator pedal, the
vehicle will return to the speed set prior to the
acceleration. 2. Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the
following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ªCANCELº direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.
If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph),
the preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the
preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically be
cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other
than these reasons, have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer at the earliest opportunity.

STARTING AND DRIVING
3003. Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº
direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held upward, the
vehicle will gradually gain speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed
and the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set
speed can be increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by
pressing the control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº
direction quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the
vehicle and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction. 4. Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº
direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held downward, the
vehicle speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed
and the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set
speed can be lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by
pressing the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake
pedal and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you turn off the overdrive switch with the cruise
control on, engine braking will not be applied because
the cruise control is not cancelled. To decrease the
vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed with the cruise
control lever or depress the brake pedal. If you use the
brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
5. Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control
lever or by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever
up in the ªRES/ACCº direction will restore the speed set
prior to cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed
falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will
not be resumed.

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Cruise control failure warning
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster
flashes five times and then goes out when using the
cruise control, it means that there is trouble in the cruise
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers with the
control switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is
suited to the driving conditions with the control
switch to provide good riding comfort and stability.
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1For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
2For moderate high speed driving
3For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
4For driving on a bumpy road
5Soft
6Hard
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps
control the spinning of the front wheels which may
occur when accelerating on slippery road surfaces,
thus assisting driver to control the driving power of
the front wheels.