ignition Lexus ES300 2003 s (in English) Owner's Guide

SWITCHES
37
When
the ignition switch is turned off with the wiper lever in the
“AUTO” position, and then the ignition switch is turned on
again, the automatic operation may not work even if raindrops
are on the windshield.
In this case, move the lever to another position and return it to
the “AUTO” position again.
CAUTION
Be careful not to get your fingers caught between the
wipers and windshield.
When the wiper lever is in the “AUTO” position with the
ignition switch on, the wipers could operate
automatically in the following cases:
 If you touch the upper center of the windshield
adjacent to the sensor.
 If you wipe the upper center of the windshield
(adjacent to which the sensor is located) with a towel.
 If the windshield vibrates.
 If you touch the sensor.
NOTICE
Do not apply detergent to or wet the automatic wiper
control sensor when cleaning the inside of the
windshield.
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 washer squirts even with the lever in the “OFF”
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 “Adding
washer fluid” on page 348.
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.
When waxing your vehicle, make sure that the washer nozzles
do not become blocked. If a nozzle becomes blocked, contact
your Lexus dealer to have the vehicle serviced.
NOTICE
If a nozzle becomes blocked, do not try to clear it with
a pin or other object. The nozzle will be damaged.

SWITCHES
39
RETURNING TO THE RETRACTED POSITION
Push the connection of the wiper arm and wiper blade
downward.
NOTICE
To prevent the wiper blades from being deformed, be
sure to hold the connection of the wiper arm and wiper
blade securely.
REAR WINDOW AND OUTSIDE
REAR VIEW MIRROR DEFOGGER SWITCH
To turn the electric rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger on, push the switch.
The ignition key must be in the “ON” position.
The thin heater wires on the inside of the rear window and the
heater panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear
the surface. An indicator light is on when the defogger is
operating.
The system will automatically shut off when the defogger has
operated about 15 minutes.

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40
CAUTION
Since the mirror surfaces can get hot, do not touch them
when the switch is on.
If further defrosting or defogging is desired, simply actuate the
switch again. When the surface has cleared, push the switch
once again to turn the defogger off. Continuous use may cause
the battery to discharge, especially during stop− and−go
driving. The defogger is not designed to dry rain water or to
melt snow.
If the outside rear view mirrors are heavily coated with ice, use
a spray de −icer before operating the switch.
NOTICE
 When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be
careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or
connectors.
 To prevent the battery from being discharged, turn
the switch off when the engine is not running.
POWER WINDOW SWITCHES
 1
For driver’s window
2For front passenger’s window
3For left rear window
4For right rear window
To raise or lower the windows, use the switch on each
door. The passengers’ windows can also be controlled by
the switches on the driver’s door.
The power windows work when the ignition key is in the “ON”
position.
Key off operation: Even if the ignition key is turned to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position with all the doors closed, the window
can be operated until a front door is opened (or for 43
seconds).

SWITCHES
42
Operating the windows from outside the
vehicle
The windows can be opened using an ignition key.*NOTE:
* This feature can be deactivated.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
Insert the ignition key into the key hole on the driver’s
door.
Turn the key in the unlocking direction and hold it.
After the doors are unlocked, the windows begin to open. To
stop in the middle, return the key.
The windows also can be opened using the wireless remote
control. For details, see page 19.
Jam protection function
During automatic raising operation or key off raising operation,
the window stops and is lowered if something gets caught
between the window and window frame.
If the window receives a strong impact, this function may work
even if nothing is caught.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you must do the
following.
 Before you close the power windows, always make
sure there is nobody around the power windows. You
must also make sure the heads, hands and other
parts of the bodies of all occupants are kept
completely inside the vehicle. If someone’s neck,
head or hands get caught in a closing window, it
could result in a serious injury. When anyone closes
the power windows, make sure he or she operates the
windows safely.
 When small children are in the vehicle, never let them
use the power window switches without supervision.
Use the window lock switch to prevent them from
making unexpected use of the switches.

SWITCHES
43
Never leave small children alone in the vehicle,
especially with the ignition key still inserted. They
could use the power window switches and get
trapped in a window. Unattended children can be
involved in serious accidents.
 Never try jamming any part of your body to make the
jam protection function work intentionally.
 The jam protection function may not work if
something gets caught just before the window fully
closed.EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH
To turn on the emergency flashers, push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. The emergency flashers will
work with the engine running or off and with or without the
ignition key.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn other drivers if you
must stop your vehicle where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible.
The turn signal light switch will not work when the emergency
flashers are in operation.

SWITCHES
44
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not
leave the switch on longer than necessary when the
engine is not running.
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
 1For driver’s seat 2For front passenger’s seat
To turn on the seat heater, push the switch. At this time,
the indicator lamp comes on.
The ignition switch must be in the “ON” position.
Each time you push the switch, the mode changes in order
from the “HI” (high heating temperature) mode to “LO” (lo\
w
heating temperature) mode to off.
The seat heater automatically changes to off mode when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position again,
the seat heater remains off until the switch is pushed.

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
48
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.

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
52
(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.

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
53
(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,
built−in 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.
 When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the
light does not come on, remains 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.

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GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
54
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 311.)
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.
In normal conditions, due to engine oil consumption, this light
may come on earlier than the specified service interval of the
scheduled maintenance. This is because the engine oil is
consumed to the low level within the scheduled maintenance
interval and does not indicate a problem. (For detailed
information, see “Facts about engine oil consumption” on page
309.)
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.