2001 Lexus ES300 Engine braking

BE028
Note: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmi\
ssion by turning off the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For th\
e operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
300.
Parking, engine starting and key
removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving (with overdrive on)
position
Position for stronger engine braking
Position for maximum engine
braking
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ªONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button in.
Shift normally.
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or
four±speed transmission
Lock release button (To prevent misshifting)
ªO/D OFFº indicator
light on the instrument
cluster
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
3
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STARTING AND DRIVING
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

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
289
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal.
Depress the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth
starting.
The vehicle will start in the first gear and automatically
shift to the most suitable gear for the running conditions,
such as the vehicle speed, hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
However, while the engine coolant temperature is low
and the vehicle is traveling at low speed, the
transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
with the overdrive on.
When the lever is in the ªDº 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, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor. The
transmission will automatically downshift to the third,
second or first gear, according to the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a
long hill, see ª(c) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
290
(c) Using engine braking
31E009±2

STARTING AND DRIVING
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
292
(d) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you can start the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle will start in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is
engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the engine. Watchthe tachometer to keep engine rpm from goinginto the red zone. The approximate maximumallowable speed for each position is givenabove for your reference.
ª2º 128 km/h (80 mph) . . .
ªLº 71 km/h (44 mph) . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the ª2º or ªLº position. This maycause severe automatic transmission damagefrom overheating. To prevent such damage,
ªDº position should be used in hill climbing orhard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING
295
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing
a gentle slope, the overdrive should be turned off. Be
sure to turn the switch on immediately after climbing
the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient
engine braking and electrical charging performance,
do not use overdrive.
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.
(h) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,
then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving
it forward and backward. Do not attempt this procedure
if people or objects are anywhere near the vehicle.
During the rocking operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward as it becomes un±stuck,
causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.