Lexus ES300 1999 Owner's Manuals (in English)

STARTING AND DRIVING
281
Traction control failure warning
If the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes,
contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There
may be trouble in the traction control system.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which will cause the vehicle
to lose traction. In situations where the road surface is
covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted
with snow tires or tire chains. Always drive at an
appropriate and cautious pace.

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282
VEHICLE SKID CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle skid control system helps provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as an
anti±lock brake system, traction control, engine
control, etc. This system automatically controls the
output of the brakes or engine to help prevent the
vehicle from skidding when cornering on a slippery
road surface or abrupt steering wheel operation
occurs.
31E013±1

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip
indicator light flashes and an alarm sounds
intermittently.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9 mph). You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the vehicle skid
control is in the self±check mode and does not indicate
a malfunction.

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283
31E046a
You can turn off the vehicle skid control system by
pushing the ºVSC OFFº switch. The ºVSC OFFº
indicator comes on. At this time, the traction control
system also turns off. You cannot turn off either one
of them. Pushing the ºVSC OFFº switch a second
time turns the system back on and extinguishes the
ºVSC OFFº indicator light.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always
turns on.

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284
Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
31E047
These lights warn that when there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle skid control system or traction
control system.
If the ºVSCº warning light and ºVSC OFFº indicator light
come on, have your vehicle checked by Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
The lights will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, and will go off after about a few seconds.
If the ºVSCº warning light and ºVSC OFFº indicator light
come on, the vehicle skid control system and traction
control system do not work. However, as conventional
braking operates when applied, there is no problem to
continue your driving.

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285
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the vehicle skid control
system. Even if the vehicle skid control system is
operating, it is not that your vehicle is absolutely
safe. Reckless driving will result in an unexpected
accident. Always keep safety driving in mind. If the
slip indicator light flashes, sounding an alarm,
special care should be taken while driving.
 Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle skid
control system may not function correctly. When
replacing the tires or wheels, contact your Lexus
dealer.

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286
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work.
However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system
warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist
the brakes. If the engine should quit while you are
driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserve vacuum for
one or two stops but no more!

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287
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your vacuum
reserve.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard ± much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will be longer.

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288
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock±up of the wheels
during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces. This assists in providing directional
stability and steering performance of the vehicle
under these circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when
the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the anti±lock brake
system is in the self±check mode, and does not indicate
a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. Pumping the brake pedal makes the stopping
distance longer.

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The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake
system may indicate hazardous road surface
conditions. Although the anti±lock brake system assists
in providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care, because the anti±lock brake system
cannot overcome the laws of physics that act on your
vehicle:

Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the
road surface. 
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
290ºABSº warning light
31E015