2001 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

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
321
Do not continue normal driving when the
brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will
require a longer stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are applied.
Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of
engine coolant.
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components. Use ªToyota Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent. See ªChecking the engine coolant levelº on
page 415 for instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60%
solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to
about ±50 C (±58 F). Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so
it must be in top shape to provide enough power for
winter starting. Page 451 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service
stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the
cold weather.

DRIVING TIPS
322See page 414 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a
heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months
may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer ± they will be
pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep
them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most
auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions
for how much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other
substitute because it may damage your vehicle'spaint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a
possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ªPº and block
the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow
or water accumulated in and around the parking brake
mechanism may freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the
fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make
steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and
check under the fenders occasionally.

DRIVING TIPS
323
Depending on where you are driving, we
recommend
you carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire
chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small
shovel, jumper cables, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
324
DINGHY TOWING
32E002
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed (with four wheels
on the ground) from the front behind a motorhome.
CAUTION
Dinghy towing requires special equipment and
accessories. Please refer to your service outlet of the
motorhome manufacture for the recommended
equipment.
NOTICE
Dinghy towing does not eliminate the possibilityof damage to your vehicle.
Dinghy towing tips
Before dinghy towing, be sure to observe the
following in order to reduce the damage to your
vehicle.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ªONº position.

DRIVING TIPS
325
2. Shift the selector lever into the ªNº position.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ªACCº position. Make
sure the audio is turned off and any item is not plugged
into the power outlet.
NOTICE
To avoid the locking of the steering wheel, turn the
ignition switch to the ªACCº position.
4. Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
To prevent the vehicle from being damaged,observe following.
Do not tow the vehicle at the vehicle speedmore than 88 km/h (55 mph).
Do not tow the vehicle for more than 320 km(200 miles).
After dinghy towing or at the recommended distance
limit, let the engine idle for more than 3 minutes before
driving the vehicle or resuming towing.

DRIVING TIPS
326
32E003
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. This maycause serious damage to your vehicle.

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.