2004 Lexus IS300 Electrical Components / LEXUS 2004 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53461U)

DRIVING TIPS
274
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 / Scheduled Maintenanceº.)
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.
VEHICLE LOAD LIMITS
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating
capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity. Follow the
load limits shown below.
Total load capacity: 390 kg (860 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage. Tongue load is included
when trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of
occupants whose weight is supposed to be 68 kg (150
lb.) per person. Depending on the weight of person, the
seating capacity given may exceed the total load
capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity, do not exceed the total load
capacity.
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DRIVING TIPS
275
Towing capacity
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on
the size (weight) and the number of occupants. For
details, see ºCapacity and distributionº that follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than each load limit.
That may cause not only damage to the tires, but
also deterioration to the steering ability and
braking ability, which may cause an accident.
CARGO AND LUGGAGE
Stowage precautions
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle,
observe the following:
 Put cargo and luggage in the trunk or luggage
compartment when at all possible. Be sure all items are secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the
weight as far forward as possible helps maintain
vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
CAUTION
To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding
forward during braking, do not stack anything
in the trunk or luggage compartment. Keep
cargo and luggage low, as close to the floor as
possible.
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DRIVING TIPS
276
Never allow anyone to ride in the trunk or
luggage compartment. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seats
with their seat belts properly fastened.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden
braking or a collision.
 Do not place anything on the package tray
behind the rear seatback or luggage cover.
Such items may be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle during sudden
braking or an accident.
 Do not drive with objects left on top of the
instrument panel. They may interfere with the
driver's field of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turning, and
impair the driver's control of the vehicle. In an
accident t hey may injure the vehicle occupants.Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the
occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) ± (Total weight
of occupants)
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº
on your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
ºXXXº amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. 1400 ± 750
(5 x 150) = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
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DRIVING TIPS
277
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed for trailer towing.Example on your vehicle
32SA03
 1Cargo capacity 2Total load capacity
In case that 2 people with the combined weight of 166 kg
(366 lb.) are riding in your vehicle with the total load
capacity of 390 kg (860 lb.), the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity will be as follows:
390 kg ± 166 kg = 224 kg.
(860 lb. ± 366 lb. = 494 lb.)
From this condition, if 3 more passengers with the
combined
weight of 176 kg (388 lb.) get on, the available
cargo and luggage load will be reduced as follows:
224 kg ± 176 kg = 48 kg.
(494 lb. ± 388 lb. = 106 lb.)
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DRIVING TIPS
278
As shown in the above example, if the number of
occupants increases, the cargo and luggage load
equaling the combined weight of occupants who got on
later must be reduced. In other words, if the increase in
the number of occupants causes the excess of the total
load capacity (combined weight of occupants plus cargo
and luggage load), you have to reduce the cargo and
luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity, see Vehicle load
limitsº on page 274.
CAUTION
Even if the total l oad of occupant's weight and the
cargo load is less than the total load capacity, do
not apply the load unevenly. That may cause not
only damage to the tire but also deterioration to
the steering ability due to unbalance of the
vehicle, causing an accident.
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SECTION 4
279
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
In case of an emergency
If your engine stalls while driving280
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If you cannot increase the engine speed 280
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If your vehicle will not start 281
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If your vehicle overheats 285
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If you have a flat tire 286
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If your vehicle becomes stuck 298
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If your vehicle needs to be towed 299
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If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever 304
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If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 305
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
280
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 YOU CANNOT INCREASE THEENGINE SPEED
If 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 you vehicle at low speeds. Have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnorma lity 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.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
281
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOTSTART
(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 237 and that you have sufficient fuel. Since
your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobilizer 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, there may be a
malfunction in the immobilizer system. 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.)
NOTICE
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts.Also the three-way catalytic converter may overheatand become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not
start -
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking.
See º(b) Starting a flooded engineº for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer
Service Assistance. (See ºForewordº.)
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