Lexus ES300 1998 Owner's Manuals (in English)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY173
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BETOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Lexus
dealer or a commercial tow truck service. In consultation with them, have
your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Lexus dealer or
commercial tow truck service, tow your vehicle carefully in accordance
with the instructions given in º(d) Emergency towingº on page 17\
6.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while
being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of the
state/provincial and local laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although most
operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a mistake. To
avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following few precautions are
observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial\
and
local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. If\
they are damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
 From front
40E018±2
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground clearance for
towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper
and/or underbody of the towed vehicle will be damaged during towing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
174

From rear
40E019±1
Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the rear with
front wheels on the ground, as this may cause serious damage to the
transmission.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
40E013
Tie down points
40E014

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY175
40E015
If your Lexus is transported by a flat bed, it should be tied down at
locations A and B as shown above.
40E016

Rear emergency towing eyelets
NOTICE
Do not use the rear emergency towing eyelets.
 Tie down angle
40E017
If you use chains or wires to tie down your vehicle, the angles shaded black
must be at 45.
(c) Towing with a sling type truck
40E020±1
NOTICE
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front or rear. This may
cause body damage.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
176
(d) Emergency towing
40E021
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Lexus
dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet. Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hard±surfaced roads for a sh\
ort
distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid sudden
starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet and towing
cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing vehicles.\
Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in ºNº. The
ignition key must be in ºACCº (engine off) or ºONº (engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY177
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT AUTOMATICTRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
40E032
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº position to other \
positions
even though the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1 Turn the ignition key to ºLOCKº. Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
2Pry up the cover with a flat±bladed screwdriver or equivalent.
40E023
3Push down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of ºPº position only while pushing the button.
4
Shift into ºNº position.
Insert the cover. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal
depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possi\
ble.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
178
IF YOU LOSE YOUR KEYS OR LOCKYOURSELF OUT
Many Lexus dealers can make a new key if you can give them the key
number. Since your vehicle is equipped with the engine immobiliser
system, the dealer will also need your master key.
See the suggestion given in ºKeysº on page 7.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a duplicate, m\
any
Lexus dealers can still open the door for you, using their special tools. If you
must break a window to get in, we suggest breaking the smallest side window
because it is the least expensive to replace. Be extremely cautious to avoid
cuts from the glass.
Even if you lose only one key, contact your Lexus dealer to make a new key.
If you lose all your master keys, you cannot make new keys; the whole syst\
em
must be replaced.

SECTION 5
179
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance requirements180
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General maintenance 181
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Does your vehicle need repairing? 184
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For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the separate
ºOwner's Manual Supplement/ Maintenance Scheduleº.

MAINTENANCE
180
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Your Lexus vehicle has been designed to have fewer maintenance
requirements with longer service intervals to save both your time and money.
However, each regular maintenance as well as day±to±day care is more
important than ever before to ensure smooth, trouble±free, safe, and
economical driving.
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure the specified maintenance,
including general maintenance services, is performed. Note that both the new
vehicle and emission control system warranties specify that proper
maintenance and care must be performed. See the Owner's Guide, Owner's
Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those day±to±day care practices that are
important to your vehicle for proper operation. It is the owner's responsibility
to ensure that the general maintenance items are performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself or your Lexus
dealer.
Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the ºOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº are those required to be serviced at
regular intervals. For details of your maintenance schedule, read the separate ºOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.
It is recommended that any replacement parts used for maintenance or
for the repair of the emission control system be Lexus supplied.
The owner may elect to use non±Lexus supplied parts for replacement
purposes without invalidating the emission control system warranty.
However, use of replacement parts which are not of equivalent quality
may impair the effectiveness of the emission control systems.
You may also elect to have maintenance, replacement, or repair of the
emission
control devices and system performed by any automotive r epair
establishment or individual without invalidating this warranty. See
Owner's Guide, Owner's Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for
complete warranty information.
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are well±trained specialists and are kept up to date wit\
h the
latest service information through technical bulletins, service tips, and
in±dealership training programs. They are well informed about the operation
of all the systems on your vehicle.
You can be confident that your Lexus dealer's service department performs
the best job to meet the maintenance requirements of your vehicle.

MAINTENANCE181
Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required maintenance has bee\
n
performed
for warranty coverage. And if any problems should arise with your
vehicle while under warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it.
Again, be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service perfor\
med on
your Lexus.
What about do±it±yourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself, if you have a little
mechanical ability and a few basic automotive tools. Simple instructions for
how to perform them are presented in Section 6.
If you are a skilled do±it±yourself mechanic, the Lexus service manuals are
recommended. Please be aware that do±it±yourself maintenance can affect
your warranty coverage. See your Owner's Guide, Owner's Manual
Supplement or Warranty Booklet for the details.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed at
the intervals specified. It is recommended that any problem you notice be
brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service shop for their
advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can be
obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at least once a month and
adjust as shown on the tire pressure label. See page 207 for additional
information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear. See page 208
for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for looseness. Tighten\
them if necessary.

MAINTENANCE
182
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 208 for additional
information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after the vehicl\
e
has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, h\
ave
the cause found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check
that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly and all latches lo\
ck
securely. Make sure the engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when
the primary latch is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while performing
periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and o\
ther
lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers function
properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes in steering
condition, such as hard steering, excessive freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc.
operate smoothly. Check that the head restraints move up and down smoothly
and that the locks hold securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors and anchors operat\
e
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn
or damaged.