2001 Lexus IS300 Throttle

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
43
(h) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº onpage 34 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ºFuel tank capº on page 65 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine electrical system, automatic transmission electrical system or
electronic throttle control system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ºcº., have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
If this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not increase
with the accelerator pedal depressed down to about the middle
position, there may be a problem somewhere in your electronic
throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have
your Lexus checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the ab normality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.
(i) ºABSº Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº
position. If the anti±l ock brake system works properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the system
malfunctions, the light comes on again.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system and/or the
traction control system do/does not operate, but the brake
system still operates conventionally.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system and/or the
traction control system do/does not operate so that the wheels
could lock up during a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ºONº position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.

SECTION 3 ± 1
160
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter161
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 162
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 163
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 164
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 166
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 176
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 177
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Traction control system 180
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 181
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Brake pad wear indicators 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . Limited ±slip differential
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

STARTING AND DRIVING
168
(a) Normal driving
SV31021

1ºPº (Park) position 2ºNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the
engineº on page 165.
The transmission must be in ºPº or ºNº. The engine will not start
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
ºSTARTº.
SS31019

1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ºNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ºPowerº, ºNormalº or ºSnowº mode \
to suit
your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ºNormalº position to improve fuel
economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the ºPowerº position.
In the ºPowerº position, the ºECT PWRº light in the instrument\
cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle
speeds and shifted down more responsively than in the
ºNormalº position.
For ºSnowº mode, see ºElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 176.

STARTING AND DRIVING
169
SV31022

1Brake pedal 2ºDº (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is
low, the transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even
in the ºDº position. (See º(c) Using engine brakingº and\
º(g)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding r oads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in º3º 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, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see º(b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
176
ELECTRONIC THROTTLECONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
SV31019

1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
Normal, Power and Snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving. In the power mode, the ºECT PWRº light in the instrument
cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle
speeds and shifted down more responsively than in the normal
mode.
To return to the normal mode, push the ºPWRº switch again.
Snow mode: Decreases the engine output to minimize rear
wheel spinning on snowcovered or slippery roads.
When you push ºSNOWº switch, the snow mode is turned on
and the ºSNOWº light in the instrument cluster comes on.
To return to the normal mode, push the ºSNOWº switch again.
The ºSNOWº indicator light will go off.
When you turn the ignition switch off in the snow mode, the
mode automatically changes to the normal mode.

DRIVING TIPS
190
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.
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).

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
265
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
26 MPX±B10
Power window system,
Air conditioning,
Gauges and meters,
Theft deterrent system
27 P RR P/W20Power window system
28 SRS±B7.5SRS system, Door lock system
29 P P/SEAT30Power seat system
30 OBD7.5On±board diagnosis system
31 IGN7.5
SRS system,
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system,
Cruise control system
32 ECU±B120
Theft deterrent system,
Door lock system,
Interior light, Trunk light,
Vanity light, Ignition switch light,
Map light, Door courtesy lights,
Power window system,
Air conditioning,
Gauges and meters
33 ALT±S7.5Charging system
34 ETCS15Electronic throttle control
system
35 AM220
Starting system, SRS system,
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, Cruise control
system
36 HORN10Horn
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
37 TEL7.5Telephone
38 RADIONO.120Audio
39 TURN±HAZ15Turn signal lights
40 EFI25
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system,
Emission control system,
Engine immobiliser system
41 DRL NO.230Daytime running light system
42 DRL NO.17.5Daytime running light system
43 H±LP L LW R15Left±hand headlight
(low beam), Fog lights
44 H±LP R LW R15Right±hand headlight
(low beam)
45 SPARESpare fuse
46 SPARESpare fuse
47 SPARESpare fuse
48 H±LP LUPR10Left±hand headlight
(high beam)
49 H±LP R UPR10
Right±hand headlight
(high beam),
Service reminder indicators and
buzzers