Page 6 of 389

6.
For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
vi
Page
1Power door lock switch and power window switches 21, 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2Power rear view mirror control switches 107 . . . . . .
3Rear fog light switch 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4Headlight cleaner switch 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5Headlight, turn signal and fog light
switch 28, 30, 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6Transmission shift switches 234
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7Instrument panel light control 53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8Cruise control switch 241
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9Wiper and washer switches 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10Ignition switch 227
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11Emergency flasher switch 37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12Outside temperature display/Clock 59
. . . . . . . . . . . .
13Front passenger's seat belt reminder light 47 . . . . . Page
14Automatic air conditioning controls
180
. . . . . . . . . .
15Car audio 194
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16Seat heater switches 38
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17Glove box 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18Parking brake lever 228
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19Driving pattern selector switch
(Automatic transmission) 230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20Ashtray 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
21Cigarette lighter 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22Automatic transmission selector lever/
Manual transmission gear shift lever 230, 239 . . . . .
23Traction control system off/Snow mode
switch (Manual transmission) 244 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24Hood lock release lever 82
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 17 of 389
OPERATION OF SELECTOR LEVER
SELECTOR LEVER POSITION
P: Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
M: Position for manual shifting up or downshifting
(Shifting into overdrive possible)*
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking
SVBA009
Shift while pressing the brake pedal. (Ignition
switch must be in the ºONº position.)
*:When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift from º5º to º4º\
, engine braking will not be enabled because
the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation to decrease the \
vehicle speed, see page 243.
SV31020
QUICK REFERENCE
4
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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Page 18 of 389
QUICK REFERENCE
5
4. HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
SVBA013
SVBA013
HEADLIGHT SWITCHWith the ignition OFF
Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Automatic light control
Headlights also turn on.
With the engine started and parking brake
released Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on
at full intensity.
Automatic light control
SVBA014
SSBA011b
Right or left turn
Lane change
(Right or left) High beam
Headlight flasher
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
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Page 42 of 389

SWITCHES
29
Daytime Running Light System
The headlights turn on at reduced intensity when the parking
brake is released with the engine started, even with the light
switch in the ºOFFº position. They will not go off until the
ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel lights,
twist the knob to the first clickstop.
Twist
the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the headlights
to full intensity for driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ºAUTOº), the
headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity and/or turn
on the other lights depending on the darkness of the
surroundings. Likewise, as the surroundings become brighter,
the headlights will turn to reduced intensity, ultimately turning
off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when theengine is not running.
Automatic headlight leveling system
SV12022
The headlight beam level is always maintained automatically
at the proper level in all loading conditions so that your
headlights do not dazzle other road users.
If this system fails, the warning light in the instrument cluster
comes on. If this occurs, have your vehicle checked by Lexus
dealer.
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Page 57 of 389

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
44
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
SV13015
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the ºODO/TRIPº knob
briefly. Each time you push the knob, the mode changes
in order from the odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B,
then back to the odometer, etc.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The twin trip meter records two different
distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel
economy and the other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set A trip meter to zero, display the A meter reading,
push the knob and hold it. The same applies for the B trip
meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power
source is disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON ...DO THIS.
(a)or
If parking brake is off,
stop immediately and
contact Lexus dealer.
(b)
( Indicator and buzzer)
Fasten driver's seat
belt
(c)Fasten front
passenger's seat belt.
(d)Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer immediately.
(e)Stop and check.
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Page 59 of 389

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
46
(a) Brake System Warning Light and Buzzer
This light comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the ºONº position.
When the parking brake is applied ...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the ºONº position even after the parking brake is
released.
If you drive your vehicle without releasing the parking brake,
the buzzer sounds.
When the brake fluid level is low ...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in the
following cases:
The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied when the ignition key is in the ºONº position.
The light does not come on even if the ignition key is turned
on with the parking brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
In the case, the brakes may not work properly and
your stopping distance will become longer. Depress
the brake pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to an
immediate stop.
The brake system warning light remains on together
with the ºABSº warning light.
In this case, not only the anti±lock brake system will
fail but also the vehicle will become extremely
unstable during braking.
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Page 65 of 389
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
52
How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.
or
or
or
The following service reminder indicators go off after a few
seconds.
or
The lights other than the slip indicator light may stay on for
about 60 seconds after the engine is started. It is normal if they
go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not
function as described above, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.
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Page 236 of 389

SECTION 3 ± 1
223
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter224
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 225
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 226
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 227
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 228
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 229
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 230
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission 239
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
Electronic controlled transmission 240
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 241
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Traction control system 244
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 247
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 249
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 250
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Brake pad wear indicators 254
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 254
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
Limited ±slip differential 255
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)