coolant temperature Lexus ES300 2000 Owner's Manuals (in English)

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
x
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 56. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 282 .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ODO/TRIP knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65 . . . . . Page
14 Vehicle skid control system off
indicator light 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64 . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35 . . . . . .
19 Headlight indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 299, 302
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 295
. . . . . . . . . . .
27 Vehicle skid control system warning light 65 .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xii
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 56. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 282 .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ODO/TRIP knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65 . . . . . Page
14 Vehicle skid control system off
indicator light 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64 . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35 . . . . . .
19 Tail light indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 299, 302
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 295
. . . . . . . . . . .
27 Vehicle skid control system warning light 65 .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xiv
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 56. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 282 .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ODO/TRIP knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65 . . . . . Page
14 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64 . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35 . . . . . .
19 Headlight indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 299, 302
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 295
. . . . . . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xvi
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 56. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 282 .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ODO/TRIP knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65 . . . . . Page
14 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64 . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35 . . . . . .
19 Tail light indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 299, 302
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 295
. . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 1 ± 3
54
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Gauges, meters and service reminder
indicators
Fuel gauge54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers 60 . . .
Instrument panel light control 69
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FUEL GAUGE
13E020

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
56
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13E018

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.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
57
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 ªIf your vehicle overheatsº onpage 342.

AIR CONDITIONING
222The 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 w
ill 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.
When the air conditioning is ON, 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 ªA/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 ªA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of
the ªA/Cº button blinks even when the ªA/Cº button is
pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.
Displaying the outside temperature ±
When you push the ªOUTSIDE 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
287
3. 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 most 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 not shift into the overdrive gear even
with the overdrive on.
When the lever is in the ªDº 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 pedal 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 ª(c) Using engine brakingº.

DRIVING TIPS
319
Do not continue normal driving when the
brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will
require a longer stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are applied.
Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of
engine coolant.
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components. Use ªTOYOTA Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent. See ªChecking the engine coolant levelº on
page 407 for instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60%
solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to
about ±50 C (±58 F). Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so
it must be in top shape to provide enough power for
winter starting. Page 443 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service
stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the
cold weather.