2004 Lexus ES330 Destination Input and Route Guidance / LEXUS 2004 ES330 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM33633U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
272
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of Pº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ONº
position. ()
31E158
31E158

The shift position is displayed on the instrument
cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (shifting into overdrive possible)
4:Position for engine braking (shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from Dº to 4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
281.
3, 2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
273 Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the 3º, 2º and Lº positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(a) Normal driving

1Pº (Park) position2Nº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in How to start the
engineº on page 270.
The transmission must be in Pº or Nº. The engine will not start
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
STARTº.

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274

1Brake pedal 2Dº (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to Dº.
Always use the Dº 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 Dº position. (See (b) Using engine brakingº and (f)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, 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 the 4º 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 (b) Using engine brakingº.

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275
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the 4º position. The transmission will downshift
to fourth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from Dº to 4º, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. If you
need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 281.
2Shift into the 3º position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than 127 km/h (79 mph) and more powerful engine
braking will be enabled.
3Shift into the 2º position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than 82 km/h (51 mph) and more powerful engine
braking than that of 3º position will be enabled.
4Shift into the Lº position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than 38 km/h (24 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.

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276
(c) Using the 3º, 2º and Lº positions
The 3º, 2º and Lº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in 3º, 2º or Lº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in Dº.With the selector lever in 3º or 2º, the vehicle will start in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear or third gear.
With the selector lever in Lº, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over-rev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given above for your
reference.
3º 133 km/h (82 mph). . .
2º 85 km/h (53 mph). . .
Lº 47 km/h (29 mph). . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the 3º, 2º or Lº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, 4º position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.

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277
(d) Backing up
1Brake pedal2Rº (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the Rº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.

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278
(e) Parking

1Brake pedal2Parking brake pedal
3Pº (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the Pº position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into Pº under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the 4º position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the Dº position 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.

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279
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 341.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a great
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow-covered) or winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.