2001 Lexus ES300 ignition

SECTION 3 ± 1
273
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter273
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 276
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 279
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 283
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension 301
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 301
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 308
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER

STARTING AND DRIVING
275
NOTICEA large amount of unburned gases flowing intothe three±way catalytic converter may cause it tooverheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this
and other damage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;running out of fuel could cause the engine tomisfire, creating an excessive load on thethree±way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed formore than 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle ismoving.
Keep your engine in good running order.Malfunctions in the engine electrical system,electronic ignition system/distributor ignitionsystem or fuel system could cause anextremely high three±way catalytic converter
temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, take your vehicle in for a check±upas soon as possible. Remember, your Lexusdealer knows your vehicle and its three±waycatalytic converter system best.

STARTING AND DRIVING
279
IGNITION SWITCH WITHSTEERING LOCK
31E069

STARTING AND DRIVING
280ªSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to
the ªONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 283.
ªONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ªONº position if the
engine is not running. The battery will dischargeand the electronic ignition system could bedamaged.
ªACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but
the engine is off. If you leave the key in the ªACCº or ªLOCKº position and
open the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to
remove the key.
31E070

STARTING AND DRIVING
281
ªLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is
locked. The ignition key can be removed only at this
position.
You must push in the key to turn it from ªACCº to the
ªLOCKº position. The selector lever must be put in the
ªPº position before turning the key to the ªLOCKº
position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser
system is automatically set. See ªEngine immobiliser
systemº on page 12.
When
starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ªLOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is
pushed all the way in, and then rock the steering wheel
slightly while turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while
the vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ªACCº.
PARKING BRAKE
31E080

With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while holding the lock release button
in. (The ignition switch must be in the
ªONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button in.
Shift normally.
STARTING AND DRIVING
284
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 ªPº position
when the b rake pedal is depressed (with the ignition
switch in ªONº position and the lock release button
depressed). ( )
31E005a
1
Lock release button

STARTING AND DRIVING
287
(b) Normal driving
31E006

1ªPº (Park) position 2ªNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow to start the
engineº on page 283.
The transmission must be in ªPº or ªNº. The engine will
not start in ªRº, ª2º, ªLº or ªDº position even if \
the ignition
key is turned to ªSTARTº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
298
Turning on the system
31L013
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.