cooling system Lexus ES300 1999 Owner's Manuals (in English)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
53
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 conditioning on in
stop±and±go traffic.
 Towing a trailer.
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 thetemperature of the engine within the specifiedoperating range.
Do not continue driving with an overheatedengine. See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº onpage 319.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
209
The air intake control button is used to switch the air
intake between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and
RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the
OUTSIDE AIR mode indicator light will come on and the
system will take fresh outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air
intake control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control
button set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is
used
during heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If the engine coolant temperature becomes extremely
high, the RECIRCULATED AIR mode is automatically
selected. This is not a malfunction. When the engine
coolant temperature is lowered, the previous mode
resumes.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ºA/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and
push it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside
temperature is lowered down to around 0 C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry
weather or removing frost or exterior fog on the
windshield, turn the air conditioning off once it is no
longer required. This will improve fuel economy. The air
conditioning can be used for year±round automatic temperature
control including cooling and dehumidifying
operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the ºA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of
the ºA/Cº button blinks even when the ºA/Cº button is
pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.
Displaying the outside temperature ±
When you push the ºOUTSIDE TEMPº knob, the
temperature display shows the outside temperature. To
return to the display of the current set temperature, push
the knob again. The temperature display ranges from
±30 C (±22 F) up to 50C (122F).

STARTING AND DRIVING
254
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains
carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or
out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this
a particularly dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do
so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating
or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.
 Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle.

62L005±1
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
ENGINE
371
Oil capacity
Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
Oil grade
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
4.7 L (5.0 qt., 4.1 lmp.qt.)
4.5 L (4.8 qt., 4.0 lmp.qt.)
API SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil
± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
8.8 L (9.3 qt., 7.7 lmp.qt.)
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water
alone.
± FUELFuel type
Octane Rating
Only UNLEADED
87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher

ENGINE
375
Gasolines quality
In a very few cases, you may experience driveability
problems caused by the particular gasoline that you are
using. If you continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If that does not rectify
your problem, then consult your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system damage or vehicleperformance problems.
If drivability problems are encountered (poorhot 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 the engine, and plays a major role
in maintaining the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some
engine oil during normal engine operation. The
causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and
cylinders. A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall
when a piston moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when the vehicle
is decelerating sucks some of this oil into the
combustion chamber. This oil as well as some part of
the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by the
high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake
valves. Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion
chamber together with the intake air and is burned
along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases
also burn the oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.

ENGINE
384
62E006a

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Look at the see±through coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it
is between theºFULLº and ºLOWº lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethylene±glycol
type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of
aluminum components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the
ºLOWº line, add coolant. Bring the level up to the ºFULLº
line.
Always use ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components. See
information in the next column. If the coolant level drops within a short time after
replenishing,
there may be a leak in the system. V isually
check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap,
radiator cap and drain cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the
cap pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.

ENGINE
386
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage your engine
cooling system. Your coolant must contain
ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of your engine that contains aluminum
components. Use ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and subsequent
damage to the engine, this type of coolant will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or
additives are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the coolant container for information on freeze
protection. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with plain water (preferably demineralized
water or distilled water). The total capacity of the cooling
system is given on page 371.
We recommend to use 50% solution for your Lexus, to
provide protection down to about ±35C (±31F). When
it is extremely cold, to provide protection down to about
±50 C (±58F), 60% solution is recommended. Do not
use more than 70% solution for better coolant
performance.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
413
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
13 AM230Starting system
14 TEL5Telephone
15 HEAD
LH (UPR)15Left±hand headlight (high
beam)
16 ALT±S5Charging system
17 HEAD RH (UPR)15Right±hand headlight
(high beam)
18 EFI15Multiport fuel injection
19 HORN10Theft deterrent system
20 RDI30Electronic cooling fan
system
21 CDS30Air conditioning system
22 A/F HTR25Air fuel ration sensor
23 A/C10No circuit
24 SEAT±
HEATER20Seat heater system
25 HEATER10Air conditioning system
26 GAUGE10
Gauges and meters,
service reminder
indicators and warning
buzzers, Back±up light,
Door courtesy light, Seat
heater, Power window
system
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
27 WIPER25Windshield wipers and
washer
28 MIRROR± HTR10Outside rear view mirror
defogger
29 ECU±IG15
Cruise control system,
Anti±lock brake system,
Shift lock system, Theft
deterrent system,
Electronic modulated
suspension, Wireless
remote control
30 IGN5SRS, Multiport fuel
injection
31 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
32 TAIL10Tail light, Side marker
lights, License plate lights
33 POWER±OUTLET15Power outlet
34 OBD7.5On±board diagnosis
system
35 FOG15Fog lights