2005 Lexus IS300 ESP

AUDIO
226FM
Fading and drifting stations
± Generally, the effective range
of FM is about 40 km (25 miles). Once outside this range, you
may notice fading and drifting, which increase with the
distance from the radio transmitter. They are often
accompanied by distortion.
Multi±path ± FM signals are reflective, making it possible for
two signals to reach your antenna at the same time. If this
happens, the signals will cancel each other out, causing a
momentary flutter or loss of reception.
Static and fluttering ± These occur when signals are blocked
by buildings, trees, or other large objects. Increasing the bass
level may reduce static and fluttering.
Station swapping ± If the FM signal you are listening to is
interrupted or weakened, and there is another strong station
nearby on the FM band, your radio may tune in the second
station until the original signal can be picked up again. AM
Fading
± AM broadcasts are reflected by the upper
atmosphere ± especially at night. These reflected signals can
interfere with those received directly from the radio station,
causing the radio station to sound alternately strong and weak.
Station interference ± When a reflected signal and a signal
received directly from a radio station are very nearly the same
frequency, they can interfere with each other, making it dif ficult
to hear the broadcast.
Static ± AM is easily affected by external sources of electrical
noise, such as high tension power lines, lightening, or electrical
motors. This results in static.
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AUDIO
227
Caring for your cassette player and tapes
For the best performance for your cassette player and tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regularly.

A dirty tape head or tape path can decrease sound quality
and tangle your cassette tapes. The easiest way to clean
them is by using a cleaning tape. (A wet type is recommended.)
Use high±quality cassettes:
 Low±quality cassette tapes can cause many problems,
including poor sound, inconsistent playing speed, and
constant auto±reversing. They can also get stuck or tangled
in the cassette player.
 Do not use a cassette if it has been damaged or tangled or
if its label is peeling off.
 Do not leave a cassette in the player if you are not listening
to it, especially if it is hot outside.
 Store cassettes in their cases and out of direct sunlight.
 Avoid using cassettes with a total playing time longer than
100 minutes (50 minutes per side). The tape used in these
cassettes is thin and could get stuck or tangled in the cassette player. Caring for your CD player and CDs

Your CD player is intended for use with 12 cm (4.7 in.) CDs
only.
 Extremely high temperature can keep your CD player from
working. On hot days, use air conditioning to cool the vehicle interior before you listen to a CD.
 Bumpy roads or other vibrations may make your CD player
skip.
 If moisture gets into your CD player, you may not hear any
sound even though your CD player appears to be working.
Eject all CDs from the player and wait until the player dries.
CAUTION
CD players use an invisible laser beam which could
cause hazardous radiation exposure if directed outside
the unit. Be sure to operate the player correctly.
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AUDIO
230
20L038

Correct
Wrong
Handle CDs carefully, especially when you set them into the
player. Hold them on the edge and do not bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints on them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scratches, warping, pin holes, or other CD damage
could cause the player to skip or to repeat a section of a
track. (To see a pin hole, hold the CD up to the light.)
20L039
To clean a CD: Wipe it with a soft, lint±free cloth that has been
dampened with water. Wipe in a straight line from the center
to the edge of the CD (not in a circle). Do not use a conventional
record cleaner or anti±static device.
04 06.30

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
244
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.
04 06.30

STARTING AND DRIVING
248
NOTICE
Do not downshift if you are going faster than the maxi-mum allowable speed for the next lower gear.
Good driving practice
 If it is difficult to shift into reverse, put the transmission in
neutral, release the clutch pedal momentarily, and then try again.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain engine braking
efficiency, do not use fifth gear.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
Abrupt shifting could cause the vehicle to skid or spin.
NOTICE
Make sure the vehicle is completely stopped before
shifting into reverse.
ELECTRONIC CONTROLLED TRANSMISSION
(Vehicle with automatic transmission only)
SV31039

1Power position 2Normal position
The electronic controlled system has 2 modes: Normal
and Power modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving.
In the power mode, 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 normal
mode.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
262
You may hear the anti±lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is stopped.
 At the end of the anti±lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little forward.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti±lock brake system:
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the anti±lock
brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the anti±lock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.
Anti±lock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at a moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles without an anti±lock brake
system, your vehicle may require a longer stopping
distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at appropriate
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed resulting
in a longer stopping distance.
04 06.30

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 ªIf 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 ENGINE SPEED
If engine speed does not increase when the accelerator
pedal is depressed, there may be a problem somewhere
in the electronic throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive your 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 ªACCº or ªLOCKº position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
04 06.30