2001 Lexus IS300 fuel

SECTION 3 ± 2
189
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period190
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Operation in foreign countries 190
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Tips for driving in various conditions 191
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Winter driving tips 192
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Trailer towing 193
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 194
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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).

DRIVING TIPS
191
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUSCONDITIONS

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 ºPº. 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.
CAUTION

Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.

Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.

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 172.

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.

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.

DRIVING TIPS
194
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is
easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money
on both fuel and repairs:

Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.

Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.

Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.

Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.

Avoid engine over±revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.

Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.

DRIVING TIPS
195


Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ºOwner's Manual
Supplement / Maintenance Scheduleº.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
198
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf your vehicle will not startº\
.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in ºHow to start the
engineº on page 165 and that you have sufficient fuel. Since
your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobiliser system,
also check whether the other keys will start the engine. If they
work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your
Lexus dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly
broken. Call your Lexus dealer. See ºKeysº on page 8.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You may try jump starting. See º(c)
Jump startingº for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
ºForewordº.)

MAINTENANCE
222Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 253
for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check under
neath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after
the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly and
all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood
secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch is
released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive free
play or strange noise. Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Ch
eck that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.

MAINTENANCE
223
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and all brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time,
e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make
sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 272 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and Lower
lines on the see±through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 243 for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have
to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 266 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 250 for
additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 240 for additional
information. Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the
ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 251 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or smell
exhaust fumes, have the cause located and corrected
immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in Section 3±1.)