stop start Lexus ES300 1998 s (in English) User Guide

STARTING AND DRIVING149

Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a driver cannot
maintain full control on certain slippery road surfaces, when cornering at
high speeds, or in violent maneuvers.
 Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake system cannot
eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Compared
with vehicles not fitted with an anti±lock brake system, your vehicle\
may
require a longer stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has other differences
in surface height. ºABSº warning light
31E015
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº po\
sition.
After about a few seconds, the light will go off.
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.
Even if the anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake system will still
operate conventionally. But when the ºABSº warning light is on (and the
brake system warning light is off), anti±lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden brake or
braking on slippery road surfaces. Have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding±down of the brake shoes periodically or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.

DRIVING TIPS
152
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new Lexus. But follow\
ing
a few simple tips for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add to the fu\
ture
economy and long life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between 2000 and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid full±throttle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200 miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either fast or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel (unleaded and minimum
octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you much better
control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp±edged objects and other road hazards. Failure to do so can
lead to severe tire damage resulting in tire bursts.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking brake, and place the
transmission in ºPº. If necessary, block the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get the brakes
wet. To see whether they are wet, check that there is no traffic near you and
then press the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking force, the
brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still
do not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a Lexus dealer for
assistance.

DRIVING TIPS153
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 140.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
 Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has high±speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
high±speed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
 Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will r equire a longer stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake
will not hold the vehicle securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethylene±glycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 219 tells you how to
visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will
be pleased to check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 200 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure
about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer ± they will be pleased to h\
elp.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or obvious
damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from fre\
ezing.

DRIVING TIPS157
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently than when not
towing. The three main causes of vehicle±trailer accidents are driver
error, excessive speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind
when towing: 
Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all vehicle±trai\
ler
connections. After driving a short distance, stop and recheck the lights and
connections. Practice turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an
area away from traffic until you learn the feel.
 Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip the bottom of
the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to move the trailer to\
the
left. Move your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right. (This
procedure is generally opposite to that when backing without a trailer.)
Also, just turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing to reduce the
risk of an accident.
 Because stopping distance may be increased, vehicle±to±vehicle distance
should be increased when towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the
vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in
jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery
surfaces.
 Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
 Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit your vehicle in
a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid the need of sudde\
n
braking.
 Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for th\
is
by making a larger than normal turning radius with your vehicle.

DRIVING TIPS
158

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear from time to time to
prepare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the
steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never
increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer
straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or
brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
 Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer
and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
 In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive.
 Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 30C [85 F]) when going up a long or
steep gr ade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your
vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº\
on page 166 of this manual.
 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when
parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in ºPº.
Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so
only after performing the following: 1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in ºPº position, start the engine. Be sure to k\
eep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the º2º, ºLº or ºRº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION

Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed
limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of
a towing vehicle±trailer combination usually increases as
the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause
loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too fr equently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.

DRIVING TIPS159
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE YOURVEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy ± just ta\
ke
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific
tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month. Underinflation causes tire wear
and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly,
begin driving ± but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days
this may take a little longer.
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traf fic,
it is better to turn off the engine and start again later. 
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are traveling.
 Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop±and±go driving
wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper
distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce
wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless wear,
overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the
greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down
on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.\
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only
lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY163
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle o\
r cause
a collision when the engine starts. Also the three±way catalytic conv\
erter
/ warm up three±way catalytic converter may overheat and become a fir\
e
hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not start ±
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See º(b) Star\
ting
a flooded engineº for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
ºForewordº.)
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded because of
repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to ºSTARTº with the accelerator pedal held down.
Continue this operation for 30 seconds and then stop cranking. Then try
starting the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, release the key\
, wait
a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus
dealer. Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
ºForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the
starter and wiring systems.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY167
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off
the road to a safe place ± well away from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the
center divider of a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the
possibility of personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.
 Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº. Block the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if
necessary.
 Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point. Raising
the vehicle with jack improperly positioned will damage
the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and
cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported
by the jack alone.
 Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.
 Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
 When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under
the jack.
 Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and change
the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distan\
ce
can damage a tire beyond repair.

ENGINE
196
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl Tertiary±Butyl Ether) are
available in the market. If you use a gasoline mixed with MTBE, make
certain that it does not contain more than 15% of MTBE.
If the use of gasolines containing MTBE causes poor drivability and/or p\
oor
fuel economy, you should stop using them.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing additive called MMT
(methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that contain MMT. If fuels
containing MMT are used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument cluster may
come on. If this happens, contact your Lexus dealer for service.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use gasohol in your
Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an octane rating no lower than 87
and does not contain more than 10% ethanol. Lexus does not recommend
the use of gasolines containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline meeting the
requirements above and also containing less than 5% methanol with
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol.
NOTICE
 Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system
damage or vehicle performance problems.
 If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot starting, vaporizing,
engine knock, etc.), discontinue its use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp.gal.)
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL
CONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling the inside of th\
e
engine, and plays a major role in maintaining the engine in proper working
order.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
218
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
27 M/HTR10Outside rear view mirror defogger
28 ECU±IG15
Cruise control system, Anti±lock brake
system, Shift lock system, Power antenna,
Theft deterrent system, Electronic modulated
suspension, Wireless remote control
29 IGN5SRS, Multiport fuel injection
30 STOP15
Stop lights, High mounted stoplight, Cruise
control system, Electronic modulated
suspension, Anti±lock brake system, Shift
lock system, Power seat system, Multiport
fuel injection
31 TAIL10Tail light, Side marker lights, License plate
lights
32 PWR
OUTLET15Power outlet
33 OBD7.5On±board diagnosis system
34 FOG15Fog lights
35 ST5Starting system
36 DOOR25Door courtesy light, Theft deterrent system,
Power door lock system, Trunk lid opener,
Fuel filler door opener
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
37 PANEL7.5Instrument panel lights, Glovebox light
38 TURN7.5Emergency flashers, Turn signal lights
39 RAD NO.27.5Audio system
40 CIG15Cigarette lighter, Clock, SRS
41 DEF40Rear window defogger, Outside rear view
mirror defogger
42 PWR30Power window, Electronic moon roof, Power
seat system
43 AM140No circuit
SPARESpare fuse