2005 Lexus IS300 ignition

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
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
239
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Driving in M mode
(c) Using engine braking
(d) Using the ª3º, ª2º and ªLº positions
(e) Backing up
(f) Parking
(g) Good driving practice
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(i) If the ªECT PWRº indicator light flashes
(a) Normal driving
SV31021

1ªPº (Park) position 2ªNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow to start the
engineº on page 237.
The transmission must be in ªPº or ªNº. The engine will not sta\
rt
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
ªSTARTº.
CAUTION
The selector lever knob can become extremely hot after
parking under the sun.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
249
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a great
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION
 To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow±covered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.
Turning the system on
SV31029
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns
the system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster
shows that you can now set your desired cruising speed.
Another push on the switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push
the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
252
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(With vehicle stability control system)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of rear wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ªONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
Normal driving mode
SV31037

Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during the ordinary driving so that it
can operate when needed.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle begins to move. This means that
the traction control system is in the self±check mode, but does
not indicate a malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, the following
conditions occur:
 The system controls the spinning of the rear wheels. At this
time, the slip indicator light blinks.
 You may feel vibration or noise in your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is functioning properly.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
253
The slip indicator light comes on for a few seconds when the
ignition key is turned to ªONº. If the indicator light does not
come on when the ignition is turned on, contact your Lexus
dealer.
Traction control off mode
SV31033
If your wheels get stuck in a ditch when you are driving on
a severe off road and sand, turn off the traction control
system. This system that controls engine performance
interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.
To turn off: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on.
The vehicle stability control system is always activated, even
if the traction control system is turned off.
To turn on: Push ªTRAC OFFº switch once again.
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will go off.
ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light comes on for a few
seconds when the ign
ition key is turned to ªONº. It will come on
again when you push the ªTRAC OFFº switch to turn off the
system.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
254In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The light remains on after the ignition is turned on.
 The light comes on with the normal driving mode while
driving.
ªVSCº warning light
SV31042
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle stability control system or traction control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ªONº
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the light comes on while driving, the vehicle stability control
system and traction control system do not work. However, as
conventional braking operates when the brake is applied, there
is no problem to continue your driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer:
 The light does not come on after the ignition key is turned
to ªONº.
 The light remains on after the ignition key is turned to ªONº.
 The light comes on while driving.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
255
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will come on when the
ªVSCº warning light comes on even if the ªTRAC OFFº switch
is not pushed.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(Without vehicle stability control system)
The traction control system automatically helps prevent
the spinning of rear wheels when the vehicle is started or
accelerated on slippery road surfaces.
When the ignition key is turned to ªONº, the system
automatically turns on.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power against rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which may cause the
vehicle to lose traction control. In situations where the
road surface is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle
should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious speed for the
present road conditions.
04 06.30