2001 Lexus ES300 fuel

STARTING AND DRIVING
286
(a)Overdrive switch
31E082
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.

SECTION 3 ± 2
318
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period319
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Operation in foreign countries 319
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Tips for driving in various conditionss 319
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Winter driving tips 321
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Dinghy towing 324
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Trailer towing 327
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 338

DRIVING TIPS
319
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.

DRIVING TIPS
320
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 290.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.
 Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h
(85 mph) unless your vehicle has high±speed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are high±speed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

DRIVING TIPS
327
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger±carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have
an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking,
durability and driving economy (fuel consumption etc.).
Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use
of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For
your safety and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do not
apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a
trailer for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus
dealer for further details before towing.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus dealer for further information on additional
requirements such as a towing kit etc.
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer
tongue load are all within the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be
measured with platform scales found at a highway
weighing station, building supply company, trucking
company, junk yard, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
338
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.
 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 284.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit
starts.
 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 over±revving . Use a gear position
suitable for the road on which you are traveling.

DRIVING TIPS
339

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing
down. Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic si gnals
so you only need to stop as little as possible or take
advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights.
Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid
sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your
brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever
possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This
causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel
economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The
faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By
reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel
consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid
hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads.
Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear
but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in
turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud
etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps
prevent corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A
dirty air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty
plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and contribute to poor
fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower
operating costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under severe
conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
343
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOTSTART
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have
followed the correct starting procedure instructions in
ªHow to start the engineº on page 283 and that you have
sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is equipped with the
engine immobiliser system, also check whether the
other keys will start the engine. If they work, your key
may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexus
dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly
broken. Call your Lexus dealer. See ªKeysº on page 7.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior
light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is
cranked, the battery is discharged. You may try jump
starting. See ª(c) Jump startingº for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it
needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer,
Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance.
(See ªForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle or cause a collision when theengine starts. Also the three±way catalyticconverter / warm up three±way catalytic convertermay overheat and become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will
not start ±
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See ª(b) Starting a flooded engineº for further
instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or
repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or
Customer Service Assistance. (See ªForewordº.)