Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2003 Lexus ES 300FACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Shift Cable
- Inspect shift lever position using the following steps:
- When shifting from "P" to "R" position only with ignition switch ON and brake pedal depressed, make sure that the shifting lever moves smoothly and can be moderately operated.
- When starting engine, make sure that the vehicle moves forward when shifting from "N" to "D" position and moves rearward when shifting to "R" position.
- Adjust shift lever position using the following steps:
- Loosen nut on shift lever. See Fig 1.
- Push shift lever fully downward.
- Return shift lever 2 notches to "N" position. See Fig 2.
- Set shift lever to "N" position.
- While holding shift lever lightly toward the "R" position side, tighten the lever nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Start engine and make sure that vehicle moves forward when shifting lever from "N" to "D" position and moves rearward when shifting it to "R" position.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.