service indicator Lexus ES300 2002 Owner's Manuals (in English)

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
iii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
The contents of this manual are explained briefly on this
page to help you make the best use of the manual. Please
read this page and the rest of the Owner’s Manual
carefully to make sure you fully understand the operation
of your vehicle.
This will help you enjoy safe and comfortable driving.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The table of contents and the pictorial index provide easy
reference to the appropriate pages.
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
Operation of basic equipment is briefly explained in an easily
understandable way for quick reference.
SECTION 1 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The vehicle’s equipment is divided into the 7 groups listed
below. Use of the equipment is explained, including any points
you should pay particular attention to.
1. Keys and doors
2. Switches
3. Gauges, meters and service reminder indicators
4. Interior equipment
5. Exterior equipment
6. Comfort adjustment
7. Theft deterrent
SECTION 2 AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
The features of the vehicle’s air conditioning and audio are
explained in detail. Be sure to read this section so that you can
make full use of them.
SECTION 3 STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the engine, driving, stopping, operation of features
affecting vehicle handling, hints on vehicle safety and safe
driving techniques are all explained. Please read everything
in this section, and remember drive safely!
SECTION 4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
This section explains what to do in the event of an urgent
situation such as the engine not starting or getting a flat tire,
etc. If such a problem occu rs, check the contents of this
Owner’s Manual and follow the instructions given.
SECTION 5 MAINTENANCE
This section explains the importance of regular maintenance.
Regular and periodic inspection and maintenance of your
Lexus will help to keep your vehicle in its best condition.
SECTION 6 SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are provided
here for your reference should you wish to perform inspection
and maintenance yourself.

SECTION 1 – 3
45
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Gauges, meters and service reminder
indicators
Fuel gauge46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 47
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and trip meter 48
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers 48
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Multiinformation display 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel light control 59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
46
FUEL GAUGE
Low fuel level warning light
The gauge is displayed when the ignition switch is on and
indicates the approximate quantity of fuel remaining in the
tank.
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
If the fuel level approaches “E” or the low fuel level warning light\
comes on, fill the fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the fuel gauge needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on. Fill the fuel tank immediately.
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. See the inner back cover for fuel capacity and recommended
fuel selection.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
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
47
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
stopandgo 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 the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” on page 263.
TACHOMETER
13E064
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 INDICATORS
48
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
Trip meter reset knob
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the trip meter reset
knob briefly. Each time you push the knob, the mode
changes in order from the odometer to trip meter A to trip
meter B, then back to the odometer.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The twin trip meter records two different
distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel
economy and the other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter reading,
push the knob and hold it. The same applies for the B trip
meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power
source is disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR
OR BUZZER COMES
ON ... DO THIS.
(a)
If parking brake is off,
stop immediately and
contact Lexus dealer.
(b) Fasten seat belt.

(indicator and buzzer)
(c) Fasten front
passenger’s seat belt.
(on the center console)
(d) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer immediately.
or
13E050

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
49
(e) Stop and check.
(f) Stop and check.
(g) Add engine oil.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(i) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(j) Close all doors.
(k) Replace bulb.
(l) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(m) Add washer fluid. (n) Take vehicle to
Lexus dealer.
(o) Low fuel level Fill up tank. warning light
(p) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
or
w59

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
50
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the “ON” position.
 When the parking brake is applied...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the “ON” position even after the parking brake is
released.
 When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in the
following cases.
The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied when the ignition key is in the “ON” position.
 The light does not come on even if the ignition key is turned
on with the parking brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
 The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not work properly and
your stopping distance will become longer. Depress
the brake pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to an
immediate stop.
 The brake system warning light remains on together
with the “ABS” warning light.
In this case, not only the antilock brake system will
fail but also the vehicle will become extremely
unstable during braking.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver’s seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to “ON” or “START”, the
reminder light and buzzer come on if the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light stays on
and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
51
(c) Front Passenger’s Seat Belt ReminderLight
This light reminds you to buckle up the front passenger’s seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is tur ned to the “ON” position, the
reminder light flashes if a front passenger sits in the front
passenger seat and does not fasten the seat belt. Unless the
front passenger fastens the belt, the light keeps flashing.
If luggage load is placed on the front passenger seat,
depending on its weight and how it is placed on the seat,
builtin sensors in the seat cushion may detect the pressure,
causing the reminder light to come on.
(d) SRS Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS airbags and seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning
light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible
to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on as described above.
 The light stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front
passenger airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side and curtain
shield airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fail.
(e) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive
belt.
 If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower,
radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or
repair shop.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
52
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken
or loose.
(f) Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road
to a safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus
dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or
it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for
concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated
slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It
is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must
be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on even
for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(g) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil as
soon as possible. (For instructions, see “Checking the engine
oil level” on page 302.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes
the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves, this light may
come on due to the movement of engine oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will
damage the engine.
(h) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position and goes off after the engine starts. This
means that the warning light system is operating properly.
If the lamp remains on, or the lamp comes on while
driving, first check the followings.
 Empty fuel tank
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel immediately.
 Loose fuel tank cap
If the fuel tank cap is loose, securely tighten it.
These cases are temporary malfunctions. The malfunction
indicator lamp will go off after taking several driving trips.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
53
If the lamp will not go off even after the several trips, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
If the fuel tank is not empty or the fuel tank cap is not
loose...

There is a problem somewhere in the engine, emission
control system, electronic throttle control system, automatic
transmission electrical system or warning light system itself.
Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.
If the engine speed does not increase with the accelerator
pedal depressed down, there may be a problem somewhere
in your electronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. However, if you depress the
accelerator pedal more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs
Your vehicle may not pass a state emission inspection if the
malfunction indicator lamp remains on. Contact your Lexus
dealer to check your vehicle’s emission control system and
OBD (OnBoard Diagnostics) system before taking your
vehicle for the inspection.
For details, see “Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M)
programs” on page 285.
(i) “ABS” Warning Light
Vehicles without vehicle skid control system—
The light comes on with the ignition key turned to the “ON”
position. If the antilock brake system works properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the system
malfunctions, the light comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the antilock brake system does not
operate, but the brake system still operates conventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the antilock brake system does not
operate so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces.