2004 Lexus IS300 key

STARTING AND DRIVING
239
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in M mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Using the º3º, º2º and ºLº positions
(e) Backing up
(f) Parking
(g) Good driving practice
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(i) If the ºECT PWRº indicator light flashes
(a) Normal driving
SV31021

1ºPº (Park) position 2ºNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ºHow to start the
engineº on page 237.
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.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
249
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.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.
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.
Turning the system on
SV31029
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns
the system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster
shows that you can now set your desired cruising speed.
Another push on the switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push
the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
252
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(With vehicle stability control system)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of rear wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ºONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
Normal driving mode
SV31037

Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self-check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, the following
conditions occur:
 The system controls the spinning of the rear wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
 You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is functioning properly.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
253
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ºONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
Traction control off mode
SV31033
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push ºTRAC OFFº switch.
The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on.
The vehicle stability control system is always activated, even
if the traction control system is turned off.
To turn on: Push ºTRAC OFFº switch once again.
The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will go off.
ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light comes on for a few
seconds when the ign
ition key is turned to ºONº. It will come on
again when you push the ºTRAC OFFº switch to turn off the
system.
03 07.09

STARTING AND DRIVING
254In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to ºONº
 The light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
 The light comes on with the normal driving mode while
driving.
ºVSCº warning light
SV31042
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle stability control system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability control
system and traction control system do not work. However, as
conventional braking operates when applied, there is no
problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The warning light does not come on after the ignition key is
turned to ºONº.
 The warning light remains on after the ignition key is turned
to ºONº.
 The warning light comes on while driving.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
255
The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on when the
ºVSCº warning light comes on even if the ºTRAC OFFº switch
is not pushed.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(Without vehicle stability control system)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of rear wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ºONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
256
Normal driving mode
SV31037

Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self-check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, the following
conditions occur:
 The system controls the spinning of the rear wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
 You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is functioning properly. The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ºONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
257
Traction control off mode
SV31036
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push ºTRAC OFFº switch.
The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on.
To turn on: Push ºTRAC OFFº switch once again.
The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will go off.
SV31043
ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light
This light also warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº
and will go off after a few seconds. It will come on again when
you push the ºTRAC OFFº switch to turn off the system.
If the light comes on with the normal driving mode while driving,
the system does not work. However, as conventional braking
operates when applied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to ºONº
 The light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
 The light comes on with the normal driving mode while
driving.
 The light flashes.
03 07.09