2005 Lexus IS300 steering wheel

STARTING AND DRIVING
234
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the trunk lid or back door
closed. Have the cause immediately located and
corrected.BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to ªONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
235
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERINGLOCK
SS31002
ªSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to the
ªONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 237.
ªONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ªONº position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and theelectronic ignition system could be damaged.
ªACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off. If you leave the key in the ªACCº or ªLOCKº position and open
the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.*
NOTE: *The volume or interval of beep sound can be
changed. Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
SS31003
ªLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
Manual transmission: To turn the key from ªACCº to the
ªLOCKº position, you must push in the key.
Automatic transmission: To turn the key from ªACCº to the
ªLOCKº position you must put the transmission selector lever
in the ªPº position and you must push in the key.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See ªEngine immobilizer systemº on page
12.
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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
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
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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STARTING AND DRIVING
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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STARTING AND DRIVING
258
VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as anti±lock
brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. This
system automatically controls the brakes and engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering on
a slippery road surface or operating steering wheel
abruptly.
This system activates when the vehicle speed is about more
than 15 km/h (9 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the system is in the self±check mode, but does not indicate a
malfunction.
CAUTION
 Do not rely excessively on the vehicle stability
control system. Even if the vehicle stability control
system is operating, you must always drive carefully
and attentively to avoid serious injury. Reckless
driving will result in an unexpected accident. If the
slip indicator light blinks, sounding an alarm, special
care should be taken while driving.
 Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacture, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle
stability control system may not function correctly.
When replacing the tires or wheels, contact your
Lexus dealer.
 In situations where the road surface is covered with
ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted with snow
tires or tire chains.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
261
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either sub±system
should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be
harder to press, and your stopping distance will increase. Also,
the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There
is enough reserved vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each
push on the pedal uses up your reserved vacuum.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will increase.
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lock±up of the wheels during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists
in providing directional stability and steering
performance of the vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site, joints
in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the anti±lock
brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that the
anti±lock brake system is in the self±check mode, and does not
indicate a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system:
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