2005 Lexus IS300 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2005 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53489U)

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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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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242
SV31028

2Downshifting on the front, Upshifting on the rear
5: Fifth rangeThe most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and fifth gears according to the vehicle speed or the running condition.
4: Fourth range The most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and fourth gears according to the vehicle speed or the running condition. 3: Third range
The most suitable gear is selected automatically
between first and third gears according to the vehicle speed or the running condition.
Slight engine braking will be obtained on a downhill road.
Smooth running with less shifting will be obtained on an
uphill.
2: Second range First or second gear will be selected automatically
according to the vehicle speed or the running condition.
This range is used in the case that the engine braking is necessary.
The gear position being used is shown on the instrument
cluster.
Each time you push the switch located on the front of the
steering wheel, the transmission downshifts (from ª5º) to ª4º\
,
ª3º and then ª2º.
When you push the switch located on the back of the steering
wheel, the transmission upshifts to ª3º, ª4º and then ª5º\
.
For the precautions on each position, see the description on
the next page.
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243
Warning tone sounds twice in any of the following cases:

You attempt to downshift the transmission when it is not
possible to downshift due to the high vehicle speed.
 You attempt to downshift from ª2º position.
 You attempt to upshift from ª5º position.
If the ªMº indicator flashes, there is a problem somewhere
in the system. In this case, it should be noted that you
cannot downshift or upshift the transmission using the
switches on the steering wheel. Consult with your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. The transmission works
exactly in the same way as when you put the selector lever
in the ªDº position.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle
to skid or spin.
(c) Using engine braking
SV31023
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the ªMº position, and you push the transmission
down shift switch. The transmission will downshift to
fourth gear and engine braking will be obtained. This is
effective only when you are driving in the ªDº position or
in fifth gear (ªMº position).
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. If you
need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 251.
2Shift into the ª3º position. The transmission will downshift
to third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and stronger engine braking
will be obtained.
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3Shift into the ª2º position. The transmission will downshift
to second gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes
lower than the speed listed below and stronger engine
braking than that of ª3º position will be obtained.
4Shift into the ªLº position. The transmission will downshift
to first gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower
than the speed listed below and maximum engine braking
will be enabled.
ª4º 177 km/h (110 mph)
ª3º 123 km/h (76 mph)
ª2º 81 km/h (51 mph)
ªLº 17 km/h (11 mph)
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle
to skid or spin.
(d) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong eng\
ine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª3º, ª2º or ªLº, you can start t\
he vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª3º or ª2º, the vehicle will star\
t in the
first gear and automatically shift to third or second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the engine. Watch the tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into thered zone. The approximate maximum allowablespeed for each position is given below for yourreference:
ª3º 124 km/h (78 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ª2º 81 km/h (51 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ªLº 52 km/h (33 mph)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the ª3º, ª2º or ªLº position. This may causesevere automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, ª4º positionshould be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
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(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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(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.
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MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SV31034
The shift pattern is the conventional pattern shown above.
CAUTION
The shift lever knob can become extremely hot after
parking under the sun.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while shifting, and then
release it slowly. Do not rest your foot on the pedal while
driving, because it will cause clutch trouble. Do not use the
clutch to hold the vehicle when stopped on an uphill grade ±
use the parking brake.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too late will cause lugging,
and possibly pinging. Regularly revving the engine to
maximum speed in each gear will cause excessive engine
wear and high fuel consumption.Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and upshifting or
downshifting is easy.
For the best compromise between fuel economy and vehicle
performance, you should upshift or downshift at the following
speeds:
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 or 5 to 4 72 (45)
Downshift to the appropriate gear if acceleration is needed
when you are cruising below the above downshifting speeds.
Upshifting too soon or downshifting too late will cause lugging,
and possibly pinging. Regularly revving the engine to
maximum speed in each gear will cause excessive engine
wear and high fuel consumption.
Maximum allowable speeds
To get on a highway or to pass slower traffic, maximum
acceleration may be necessary. Make sure you observe the
following maximum allowable speeds in each gear: gear km/h (mph)1 56 (35)
2 98 (61)
3 145 (91)
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