check engine light Lexus ES300 1998 s (in English) User Guide

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
162
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off
the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf your vehicle will not startº\
.
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.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the correct starting
procedure instructions in ºHow to start the engineº on page 136 and that you
have sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is equipped with the engine
immobiliser system, also check whether the other keys will start the engine.
If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexu\
s
dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly broken. Call your
Lexus dealer. See ºKeysº on page 7.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the ba\
ttery
is discharged. You may try jump starting. See º(c) Jump startingº for further
instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs adju\
stment or
repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ºForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY165
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make sure the vehi\
cles
are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster battery. Lay a cloth
over the open vents on the booster battery. (This helps reduce the explosion
hazard, personal injuries and burns.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running, st\
art it
and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump starting, run the engine a\
t about
2000 rpm with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate
positive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each battery. Connect the
jumper cables in the exact order (
1
2 3 4) shown in the illustration.
1
Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the positive (+) terminal
of the discharged battery.
2Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
3Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative (±) terminal of
the booster battery.
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black) cable to a
solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point (e.g. cylinder head) away
from the battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that moves when
the engine is cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury, do not
lean over the battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm
for several minutes with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed. 6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative
cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may now contain
sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example, lights left
on), you should have it checked.

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.

ENGINE
194
Capacity
Coolant type
9.2 L (9.7 qt., 8.2 lmp.qt.)
Ethylene ± glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
± FUEL
Fuel type
Octane Rating
Only UNLEADED
87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
PK20TR11
BKR6EKPB11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Maintenance type battery Specific gravity reading at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge Slow charge
± Non±maintenance battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE199


1
Add oil 2O.K. 3Too full
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end. If it is between
the full line (
5 ) and the low line ( 4 ), it is O.K.
62E003±1
If the oil level is below or only slightly above the low line, add engin\
e oil
of the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine oil a little at a time, checking the
dipstick. The approximate quantity of oil needed to fill between the low line
and the full line on the dipstick is indicated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct range, return the filler cap and t\
urn
the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
Oil quantity. L (qt., lmp. qt.) 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged. Check the oil level on
the dipstick once again after adding the oil.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
226
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGE TYPEFUSES
64E011±1
64E015±1

Engine compartment
64E014

Driver's side instrument panel
If the headlights or other electrical components do not work and the blade\
type fu ses are O.K., check the cartridge type fuses. If any of the cartridge
type fuses are blown, they must be replaced.