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.
ENGINE
404
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a
smaller fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps
with unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle
on pumps with leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three±way catalyticconverter to lose its effectiveness and theemission control system to function improperly.Also, this can increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number
91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance,
the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96)
or higher is recommended.
Use of unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating or Research Octane Number lower than stated above will cause
persistent heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will lead
to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended
fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your
Lexus dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking
for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This
is no cause for concern.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contain
detergent additives to avoid build±up of engine
deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local
gasoline retailer.
Quality gasoline
Automobile manufacturers in U.S., Europe and
Japan have developed a specification for quality
fuel named W orld±Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is
expected to be applied world wide. The WWFC
consists of three categories that depend on
required emission levels. In the U.S., category 3 has
been adopted. The WWFC improves air quality by
providing for better emissions in vehicle fleets, and
