tow Lexus ES300 1998 Owner's Manuals (in English)

KEYS AND DOORS13
If the remote control features do not function correctly, or do not operate from
a normal distance, the battery may have been consumed. Contact your Lexu\
s
dealer.
For vehicles sold in U.S.A.
FCC ID: HYQ1512P MADE IN JAPAN
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
For vehicles sold in Canada
This device complies with RSS±210 of Industry and Science Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device
may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
DOORS
Locking with key
11L026

1 Lock 2Unlock
Turn the key towards the front of the vehicle to lock and towards the back
to unlock.
The doors lock and unlock simultaneously with either front door. In the
driver's door lock, turning the key once will unlock the driver's door and twice
in succession will unlock all doors simultaneously. In the passenger's door
lock, turning the key once will unlock all doors simultaneously.

SWITCHES
20
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHERSWITCH
12E006

1Interval adjuster 2Washer on
To turn the wipers on, move the lever down until you reach the desired
speed setting.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
There are 3 settings: ºINTº position: Intermittent operation
ºLOº position: Low speed operation
ºHIº position: High speed operation
Twist the interval adjuster upward to increase the wiping time interval
between sweeps, and downward to decrease it.
The wiper lever must be in the ºINTº position. To make the washer squirt, pull the lever toward you and release it.
Also, the wipers will automatically operate a couple of times after the washe\
r
squirts even with the lever in the ºOFFº position.
The low washer fluid warning light in the instrument cluster comes on when
the fluid level in the tank becomes nearly empty. For information on adding
washer fluid, see ºAdding washer fluidº on page 227.
In cold weather, warm the windshield with the defroster before using the
washer. This will help prevent icing, which could block your vision.
NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the windshield is dry. It may scratch the glass.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS29
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 traf\
fic.
 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 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 166.
TACHOMETER
13E003
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm (revolutions
per minute). Use it while driving to prevent engine overrevving.
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 INDICATORS31
(f) Add engine oil.
(g) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Add washer fluid.
(m) Low fuel level Fill up tank.
warning light
(n) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released. The\
light
should go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow down and p\
ull
off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Remember that stopping
distance and pedal effort may be increased. There may be a problem
somewhere in the brake system. Check the fluid level of the see±through
reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not caused the warning light to come on\
,
check to see that the parking brake is fully released.
If the brake fluid level is low ...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.
 If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive cautiously to your
nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
 If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for repairs. (\
For
towing information, see page 173.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the brake
fluid level is low.
or

SECTION 1 ± 4
36
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Interior equipment
Vanity mirrors37
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Interior light 38
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Personal light 38
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Ignition switch light 39
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
Clock 39
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette lighter and ashtray 40
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power outlet 41
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Glovebox 41
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . .
Cup holder 41
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
Overhead console box 43
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary box 46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Floor mat 47
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . .
Luggage stowage precautions 48
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
48
LUGGAGE STOWAGE PRECAUTIONS
When stowing luggage or cargo in the vehicle, observe the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when at all possible. Be sure all items are
secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far forward\
as
possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
CAUTION
Do not place anything on the filler panel behind the rear
seatback. Such items may be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.
 Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument
panel. They may interfere with the driver's field of view.
Or they may move during sharp vehicle acceleration or
turning, and impair the driver's control of the vehicle. In
an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle capacity weight specified on
the tire pressure label.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT53
15E007
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before removing it. The removed cap can be stored on
the back side of the fuel filler door.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is opened. When
installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
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.
CAUTION
 Make sure the cap is tightened securely to prevent fuel
spillage in case of an accident.
 Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for replacement. It
has a built±in check valve to reduce fuel tank vacuum.
In case the opener is not actuated
15E008±1
Pull the manual lever in the trunk toward the back.
This is used in case the fuel filler door cannot be opened due to a discharged
battery or other trouble.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
64
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
16E013

1Day 2Night
When driving at night, pull the lever toward you to reduce the glare from
the headlights of vehicles behind you.
Before adjusting the mirror to the position with most clarity, push the
day±night change lever forward (daylight driving position).
Remember that by reducing glare you also lose some rear view clarity.
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in the vehicle be properly
restrained at all times with the seat belts provided. Failure to do so could
increase the chance of injury and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child
becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belts. See ºChild
restraintº for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should sit in the rear
seat and must be restrained using the vehicle's seat belt. According to accident
statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the\
front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should be worn properl\
y. Do
not let the child sit on your lap. It does not provide sufficient restraint. If an
accident occurs and the seat belts are not worn properly, the force of the rapid
inflation of the airbag may cause severe injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear or front seats. An
unrestrained child could suffer serious injury during emergency braking or a
collision.

STARTING AND DRIVING139
31E007±1

1On 2Off
2. Set the overdrive switch to the ON position.
Always set the overdrive switch to the ON position to improve fuel economy
and quiet driving. (See º(b) Using engine brakingº and º(f)\
Good driving
practiceº for exceptions.)
31E008

1 Brake pedal 2ºDº (Drive) position
3. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the selector lever
to ºDº.
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting.
4. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the accelerator
pedal slowly for smooth starting.
The vehicle will start in the first gear and automatically shift to the mos\
t
suitable gear for the running conditions, such as the vehicle speed, hill
climbing, hard towing, etc. However, while the engine coolant temperature
is low and the vehicle is traveling at low speed, the transmission will no\
t shift
into the overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on.

STARTING AND DRIVING
140
In ºDº position, the automatic transmission system will select the most
suitable
gear for the running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.\
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, push the accelerator pe\
dal all
the way to the floor. The transmission will automatically downshift to the
third, second or first gear, according to the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill, see º(\
b) Using
engine brakingº.
(b) Using engine braking
31E009±2
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the transmission in the way
described below:
1 Turn off the overdrive switch. (This is effective only when you are
driving in the ºDº position.) The ºO/D OFFº indicator light in th\
e
instrument cluster will come on and the transmission will downshift to
the third gear and engine braking will be obtained.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the
transmission by t urning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will not
be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. If you need to
decrease the vehicle speed, see page 146.
2 Shift into the º2º position. The transmission will downshift to t\
he
second gear when the vehicle speed is lower than 122 km/h (76 mph) and
more powerful engine braking will be obtained.