Lexus ES300 2001 Owner's Manuals (in English)

AIR CONDITIONING
224
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AIR CONDITIONING
225
The 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 will 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).

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(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
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AIR CONDITIONING
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To remove interior fog on the windshield ±
Push the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield ±
1. Turn the ªTEMPº knob at the maximum temperature.
2. Push the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to
obtain a maximum air flow.
4. Leave the air conditioning on±off button off.
When the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button is pushed, air
flows mainly from the windshield vents and the
OUTSIDE AIR mode is automatically set. This setting
clears the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ª
FRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
CAUTION
Do not use the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button during
cooled air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air
and that of the windshield could cause the outer surface
of the windshield to fog up blocking your vision.

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(c) Operating tips
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot
sun, drive for the first few minutes with the windows
open. After the excess heat has blown away, close
the windows.
 Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield
are not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
 If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the
dashboard vents. (See ªSide ventsº.)
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the
windshield. The windshield could fog up because of
the difference in air temperature on the inside and
outside of the windshield.
 Keep the area under the front seats clear to allow air
to circulate throughout the vehicle.
 On cold days, push the fan speed selector to adjust
the fan speed high for a minute to help clear the intake
ducts of snow or moisture. This can reduce the
amount of fogging on the windows.
 When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If
dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the
vehicle after closing the windows, it is recommended
that the air intake control button be left to the
OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan speed control button
be pressed to anywhere except the ªOFFº button. 
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving
in windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that
the air intake control button be temporarily pressed in
to the RECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close
off the outside passage and prevent outside air and
dust from entering the vehicle interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± OFF
For manual operation ±

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Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards
WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± FLOOR
Air conditioning ± OFF
 For quick heating, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a
few minutes. To keep the windows from fogging,
select OUTSIDE AIR after the vehicle interior has
been warmed.
 Push the ªA/Cº button on for dehumidified heating.
 Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat the vehicle
interior while defrosting or defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± ON
For manual operation ±Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
Air conditioning ± ON
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a
few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± Towards low temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± OFF

AIR CONDITIONING
230For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
Air conditioning ± OFF
Defogging and defrosting
± The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Temperature ± Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right) to heat;
COLD (to the left) to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
When pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button, the
air intake selects OUTSIDE AIR automatically. This is
to clean up the front view more quickly. If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When
the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield
± the difference between the outside and inside
temperatures could make the fogging worse.
± The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Temperature ± Towards high temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD

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For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
When pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button, the
air intake selects OUTSIDE AIR automatically. This is
to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ª FRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the
windshield, choose floor/windshield air flow.

AIR CONDITIONING
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Side vents
20E009
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the side
vents. The side vents may be opened or closed as
shown.(d) Checking and replacing the airconditioning filter
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AIR CONDITIONING
233
On some models, the air conditioning filters are
behind the central instrument panel.
The air conditioning filter may clog after long use. The
filter may need to be replaced if the air flow of the air
conditioner
and heater experiences extreme reductions
in operating efficiency, or if the windows become to fog
up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency, inspect and
replace the air conditioning filter according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot heater radiator pipes.
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