Lexus GS300 2003 Gauges, Meters And Service Reminder Indicators

SECTION 1 ± 3
37
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Gauges, meters and service reminder
indicators
Fuel gauge38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and trip meter40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel light control50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
38
FUEL GAUGE
13G001a
The gauge indicates the approximate quantity of fuel
remaining in the tank when the ignition switch is on.
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
If the fuel level approaches ºEº or the low fuel level warning light
comes on, fill the fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the fuel gauge needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on. Fill the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the
indicator lamp does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
See the inner back cover for fuel capacity and recommended
fuel selection.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13G009a

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 conditioning on in
stop±and±go traffic.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
39
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 ºIf your vehicle overheatsº on page 217.
TACHOMETER
13G006d
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to
prevent engine over±revving.
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.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
40
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
13G004
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the ºODO/TRIPº
button.
The 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 change the trip meter indication from one trip to the
other, push the ºODO/TRIPº button. To set the A trip meter
to zero, display the A meter reading, then push the
ºRESETº button. The same applies for the B trip meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power
source is disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON ...DO THIS.
(a)or
(Indicator and buzzer)If parking brake is off,
stop immediately and
contact Lexus dealer.
(b)
(Indicator and buzzer)
Fasten driver's seat
belt.
(c)Fasten front
passenger's seat belt.
(d)Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer immediately.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
41 IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON ...
DO THIS.
(e)Stop and check.
(f)Stop and check.
(g)Add engine oil.
(h)orTake vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(i)or
Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
If brake system
warning light is also
on, stop immediately
and contact Lexus
dealer.
IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON ...DO THIS.
(j)Close all doors.
(k)Replace bulb.
(l)Add washer fluid.
(m)Fill up tank.
(n)Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
42IF THIS INDICATOR OR
BUZZER COMES ON ...
DO THIS.
(o)andTake vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(p)Key reminder
buzzerRemove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light and Buzzer
This light comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the ªONº position.
When the parking brake is applied ...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the ªONº position even after the parking brake is
released.
If you drive your vehicle without releasing the parking brake,
the buzzer sounds.When the brake fluid level is low ...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
When the hydraulic brake booster fails ...
If the hydraulic booster causes a problem resulting in poor
braking performance, the warning light comes on and buzzer
sounds continuously.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in the
following cases:
The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied when the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position.
The light does not come on even if the ignition key is turned
on with the parking brake released.
A warning light turned on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
43
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
The warning buzzer comes on together with the
warning light.
In either case, this can indicate that the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping distance will become
longer. Depress the brake pedal firmly and bring the
vehicle to an immediate stop.
Any of the following conditions may occur, but do not
indicate the malfunction:
The light may stay on for about 60 seconds after the ignition
key is turned to the ªONº position. It is normal if it turns off
after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may turn on the
warning light and buzzer. It is normal if the light turns off and
the buzzer stops sounding after a few seconds.
You may hear a small sound in the engine compartment
after the engine is started or the brake pedal is depressed
repeatedly. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system, and it is not a malfunction.
(b) Driver's Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver's seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the
reminder light flashes and buzzer sounds if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light
stays flashing and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Front Passenger's Seat Belt Reminder
Light
This light reminds you to buckle up the front passenger's seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the
reminder light flashes if a passenger sits in the front passenger
seat and does not fasten the seat belt. Unless the front
passenger fastens the belt, the light stays flashing. However,
if a front passenger uses an additional seat cushion, the light
may not flash even when the seat belt is not buckled up.
If luggage or other load is placed on the front passenger seat,
depending on its weight and how it is placed on the seat,
built±in sensors in the seat cushion may detect the pressure,
causing the reminder light to come on.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
44
(d) SRS Warning Light
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS airbags and seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensors, occupant detection sensor, seat belt buckle switch,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, 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.
When the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position, the light
does not come on, remains on or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front
passenger airbags have a problem. If the light flashes, the side
and curtain shield airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners have
a problem.
(e) 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 check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive
belt.
If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.
If the belt is O.K., 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 conditioning, blower,
radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or
repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken
or loose.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
45
(f) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays 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.
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.
(g) 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 ºChecking the engine
oil levelº on page 260.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes
the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves, this light may
come on due to the movement of engine oil in the engine.
In normal conditions, due to engine oil consumption, this light
may come on earlier than the specified service interval of the
scheduled maintenance. This is because the engine oil is
consumed to the low level within the scheduled maintenance
interval and does not indicate a problem. (For detailed
information, see ªFacts about engine oil consumptionº on page
258.)
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will
damage the engine.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
46
(h) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
ªONº position and goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp comes on while
driving, first check the followings:
Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immediately.
Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions. The malfunction
indicator lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the lamp will not go off even after several trips, contact your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel tank cap is not
loose...
There is a problem somewhere in the engine, emission
control system, electronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warning light system itself.
Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.GS430
If this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not increase
with the accelerator pedal depressed, there may be a problem
somewhere in your electronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. However, if you depress the
accelerator pedal more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your Lexus checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to ªACCº or ªLOCKº position.
GS300
If this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not increase
with the accelerator pedal depressed down to about the middle
position, there may be a problem somewhere in your electronic
throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have
your Lexus checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to ªACCº or ªLOCKº position.