2006 Lexus ES330 automatic transmission

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
clxxviVehicles with driving position memory system —
When
the automatic transmission selector lever is shifted
into the “R” position with the master switch in the “L” or
“R” position, the rear view mirrors automatically down to
help backing up.
The mirrors return to the previous position in the following
operations.
 Shift the transmission lever out of the “R” position.
 Place the master switch in the neutral position.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control
or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray deicer to free the
mirror.
Folding rear view mirrors
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
compact areas.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be
extended and properly adjusted before driving.

SECTION 3 – 1
cclvi
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three−way catalytic convertercclvii
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Engine exhaust caution cclviii
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Before starting the engine cclix
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Ignition switch cclx
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Parking brake cclxi
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How to start the engine cclxii
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Automatic transmission cclxiii
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Cruise control cclxix
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Electronic modulated suspension cclxxii
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Traction control system cclxxiii
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Vehicle stability control system cclxxvi
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Brake system cclxxviii
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Brake pad wear limit indicators cclxxxii
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STARTING AND DRIVING
cclx
IGNITION SWITCH
“START” — Starter motor on. The key will return to the
“ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page cclxii.
“ON” — Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position if the engine
is not running. The battery will discharge and the
electronic ignition system could be damaged.
“ACC” — Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
“LOCK” —
Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the ignition switch from “ACC” to the “LOCK” position,\
you must put the transmission selector lever in the “P” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobilizer system is
automatically set. See “Engine immobilizer system” on page
xv.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
“LOCK” 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 “ACC”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxiii
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 “P” position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in “ON”
position. (
)
31E158
31E158
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)
4: Position for engine braking (shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
cclxxi.
3, 2: Position for more powerful engine braking
L: Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxivCorrect
use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(a) Normal driving
1“P” (Park) position2“N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page cclxii.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N”. The engine will not st\
art
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
“START”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxv
1Brake pedal 2“D” (Drive) position
2. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
Always use the “D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only 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 “D” position. (See “(b) Using engine braking” and\
“(f)
Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in 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 the “4” 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 “(b) Using engine braking”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
cclxvii
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear or third gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given above for your
reference.
“3” 133 km/h (82 mph). . . . . . . .
“2” 85 km/h (53 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
“L” 47 km/h (29 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
1Brake pedal2“R” (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 “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
Vehicles with driving position memory system —
When the selector lever is shifted into the “R” position, the
outside rear view mirrors automatically down to help backing
up. For details, see page clxxv.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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(e) Parking
1Brake pedal2Parking brake pedal
3“P” (Park) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake fully to securely apply the
parking brake.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into “P” under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
(f) Good driving practice
 If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
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 cause
the transmission to overheat.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page cccxxvii.