check engine Lexus ES300 1997 In Case Of An Emergency: In Case Of An Emergency

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
162
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILE
DRIVING
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 ªIf your vehicle won't start.º
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 ªHow to start
the engineº on page 135 and that you have sufficient fuel.
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 battery is discharged. You may try jump
starting. See ª(c) Jump startingº for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
ªForeword.º)
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may
damage the vehicle or cause a collision when the
engine starts. Also the three±way catalytic
converter may overheat and become a fire 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 ª(b) Starting a flooded engineº for further
instructions.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
165
CAUTION!
When making the connections, to avoid serious
injury, do not lean over the battery or accidentally let
he 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.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you
hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has
probably overheated. You should follow this
procedure...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ªPº and apply
the parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being
used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or
reservoir, stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides
before opening the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over
or steam, leave the engine running. and make sure the
engine cooling fan is operating. If it is not, turn the ignition off
.
CAUTION!
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed
until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant
is a sign of very high pressure.
3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses,
and under the vehicle. However, note that water draining
from the air conditioning is normal if it has been in use.
CAUTION!
When the engine is running, keep hands and
clothing away from the moving fan and engine drive
belts.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
1664. If the coolant is leaking, stop the engine immediately.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assisatnce or Customer
Service Assistance. (See ªForeword.º)
5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant
reservoir. If it is dry, add water to the reservoir while he
engine is running. Fill it about half full.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
6. After the engine coolant temperature has cooled to
normal, again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If
necessary, bring it up to half full again. Serious coolant loss
indicates a leak in the system. You should have it checked
as soon as possible by your Lexus dealer.
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
ªP.º4. 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.
Never get beneath the vehicle when supported by
a jack.
Stop the vehicle at a level place and chock the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being
changed. Otherwise, the vehicle the will move
and possibly cause unexpected accident.
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 injury to
the person.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
Use a 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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
177
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ªPº position
to other positions even though the brake pedal is
depressed, use the shift lock override button as
follows:

Turn the ignition key to ªLOCK.º Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
Pry up the cover with a flat±bladed screwdriver or
equivalent.
Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to push
down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of
ªPº position only while pushing the button.
Shift into ªNº 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 possible.