Lexus ES300 1992 Gauges, Meters And Warning Lights

SECTION 1 – 3
23
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Gauges, meters and warning lights
Fuel gauge24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine temperature gauge24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer
25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and trip meter
25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning lights and buzzers26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel light control30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
24
FUEL GAUGE
Low fuel level warning light
The gauge is displayed when the ignition switch is on and
indicates the approximate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
This fuel gauge has a non-return type needle. Therefore, the
needle will remain at the indicated fuel level position
regardless of the position of the ignition switch.
If the fuel level approaches “E” or the low fuel level warning light
comes on, the fuel tank should be filled as soon as possible.
Otherwise it may cause engine misfire and damage to the
catalytic converter.
See the inside back cover for fuel capacity and recommended
fuel selection.
ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE
Overheating
Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when
the ignition switch is on. The engine operating
temperature will vary with changes in weather and engine
load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle
and allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions,
such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.

Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.

Idling for a long period with the air conditioner on in
stop-and-go traffic.

Towing a trailer.

Lugging the engine by driving slowly in a high gear.

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
25
NOTICE:

Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling
system as this may cause the engine to overheat. The
thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant
to keep the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.

Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” on page 126.
TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to select
correct shift points and to prevent engine overrevving.Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most
cases the slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE:
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This
may cause severe engine damage.
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
Odometer and trip meter
“ODO / TRIP” buttonResetting button
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the “ODO/TRIP”
button. Each time you push the button, the mode changes
in order from the odometer to trip meter A to trip meter B,
then back to the odometer, etc.

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
or
26The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The twin trip meter records two different
distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel
economy and the other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter reading,
then push the “RESET” button. The same applies for the
B trip meter.
The data of the trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical
power source is disconnected
WARNING LIGHTS AND
BUZZERS
IF THIS LIGHT OR
BUZZER COMES ON...DO THIS
(a) If parking brake is off,
stop and check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
(Light and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check.
(f) Add engine oil.

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
27
DO THISIF THIS LIGHT OR
BUZZER COMES ON...
(g) Take vehicle to Lexus
healer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Low fuel level warning light Fill up tank.
(l) Key reminder buzzer Remove ignition key.
(m) Moon roof Close moon roof.
reminder buzzer
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released.
The light should then go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow
down and pull off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully.
Remember that stopping distance and pedal effort may be
increased There may be a problem somewhere in the brake
system. Check the fluid level of the see-through reservoir.
To make sure that the parking brake has not caused the
warning light to come on, confirm that the parking brake is fully
released.
If the brake fluid level is low...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.

If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive
cautiously to your nearest dealer or stop for repairs.

If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for
repairs. (For towing information, see page 132.)
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
28If the brake fluid level is correct...
Have tie warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Warning Light and Buzzer
As a reminder to you and your passengers, this light will come
on for about 4 to 8 seconds each time the ignition key is placed
at “ON” or “START”. The buzzer will operate only if the driver’s
seat belt is not fastened.
(c) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ACC” or “ON” position. After about 6 seconds, the
light will go off. This means the airbag system is operating
properly.
The warning light system monitors the front airbag sensors,
center airbag sensor assembly, inflator, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning
light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible
to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as described above, or remains
on.

The light comes on while driving.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and chock for the cause. Look first at the engine drive
belt (alternator belt).

If it is loose or broken, the alternator will not charge the
battery properly.

If the belt is OK, there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioner, blower, radio,
etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or repair
shop.
NOTICE:
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt
(alternator belt) is broken or loose.
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or slays on while you are driving, pull off the road
to a safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus
dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or
it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for
concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated
slightly.

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
29 The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It is
not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be
checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE:
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on − even
for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil as
soon as possible. (For instructions, see “Checking the engine
oil Ievel” on page 168.)
NOTICE:
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will
damage the engine.
(g) Engine System Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your
engine electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(h) Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your
anti-lock brake system. When the anti-lock brake system
warning light is on (and the brake system warning light is off),
the brake system operates conventionally but without anti-lock
function.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.
(j) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned on (at
the first or second clickstop), it indicates that one or more of the
tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one or more
stop lights are burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
(k) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
The light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes,
nearly empty. FilI up the tank as soon as possible.
(l) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver’s door with the ignition key in the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position.
(m) Moon Roof Reminder Buzzer
If you turn the ignition key to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position with
the moon roof still tilted up, this buzzer sounds as a reminder
when a front door is opened or about sixty seconds after the
ignition key is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.

GAUGES, METERS AND WARNING LIGHTS
30
How to check all the warning lights
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the doors
The open door warning light should come on.
3. Close the door.
The open door warning light should go off.
4. Turn the ignition key to “ON”, but do not start the engine.
All the warning lights except the open door warning light, low
fuel level warning light and rear light failure warning light should
come on. The anti-lock brake system warning light goes off
after 3 seconds. The SRS airbag warning light goes off after 6
seconds.
5. Turn the key to “START”.
The rear light failure warning light should come on.
If any warning light or buzzer does not function, either the bulb
is burned out or the circuit is in need of repair. Have it checked
by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT
CONTROL
To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
turn the knob with the headlight switch turned to the first
or second clickstop.