Lexus ES-300 2001 Manual page 309

STARTING AND DRIVING
(d) Using the "2" and "L" positions
The "2" and "L" positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in "2" or "L", you can start the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in "D".
With the selector lever in "2", the vehicle will start in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in "L", the transmission is
engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
D Be careful not to over–rev 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.
"2" . . . 128 km/h (80 mph)
"L" . . . 71 km/h (44 mph)
D Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the "2" or "L" position. This may
cause severe automatic transmission damage
from overheating. To prevent such damage,
"D" position should be used in hill climbing or
hard towing.
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