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SECTION 3 ± 1
231
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter232
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Engine exhaust caution 233
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Before starting the engine 234
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Ignition switch with steering lock 235
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Parking brake 236
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How to start the engine 237
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Automatic transmission 238
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Manual transmission 247
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Electronic controlled transmission 248
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Cruise control 249
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Traction control system 252
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Vehicle stability control system 258
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Electronic throttle control system 260
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Brake system 261
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Brake pad wear indicators 265
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Limited ±slip differential
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STARTING AND DRIVING
236When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ªLOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ªACCº.
CAUTION
For manual transmission:
Never remove the key when the vehicle is moving, as
this will lock the steering wheel and result in loss of
steering control.
PARKING BRAKE
SV31017
To set: Pull up the lever. For better holding power, first
depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting the
parking brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1) , press the lock
release button (2), and lower (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is set, the parking brake
reminder light in the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
237
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3.Manual transmission : Press the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the transmission into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to
the floor until the engine is started. A starter safety device will
prevent the starter from operating if the clutch pedal is not fully
depressed.
Automatic transmission: Put the selector lever in ªPº. If you
need to restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, put the
selector lever in ªNº. A starter safety device will prevent the
starter from operating if the selector lever is in any drive
position.
4. For automatic transmission only :Depress the brake
pedal and hold it to the floor until driving off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
ªBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ªSTARTº. Release it when the engine starts. Engine should be warmed up by driving, not in idle. For
warming up drive with smoothly turning engine until engine
coolant temperature is within normal range.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ªIf your vehicle will not startº on page 281.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checked immediately.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
238
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 ªPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ªONº
position. ()
SV31020
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)
M: Position for manual shifting up or downshifting
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ª5º to ª4º, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 251.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking
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STARTING AND DRIVING
240
SS31019
1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ªNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ªPowerº, ªNormalº or ªSnowº mode \
to suit
your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ªNormalº position to improve fuel
economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the ªPowerº position.
In the ªPowerº position, the ªECT PWRº light in the instrument\
cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle
speeds and shifted down more responsively than in the
ªNormalº position.
For ªSnowº mode, see ªElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 260.
SV31022
1Brake pedal 2ªDº (Drive) position
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ªDº.
Always use the ªDº position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. 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 ªDº position. (See ª(c) Using engine brakingº and \
ª(g)
Good driving practiceº for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
241
5. Release
the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the
accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the 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 ª3º 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 ª(c) Using engine brakingº.
(b) Driving in M mode
If the change lever is shifted to M position, the shift range
position can be switched over between 5 and 2 using the
shift switch on the steering wheel instead of operating the
change lever. The first shift range position is on 5 when
the change lever is shifted to M position.
SV31024
1ªMº position
When the selector lever is put in the ªMº position, the M MODE
indicator is shown on the instrument cluster.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
245
(e) Backing up
SV31025
1Brake pedal 2ªRº (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 ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(f) Parking
SV31026
1Brake pedal 2Parking brake lever
3ªPº (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªPº position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into ªPº under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
246
(g) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between the
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the ªMº position and select the fourth gear
by pushing the transmission switch. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the ªDº position after climbing the slope.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
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 causethe transmission to overheat.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see ªIf you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 304.
(i) If the ªECT PWRº indicator light flashes
If the ªECT PWRº indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the
transmission system.
04 06.30