engine Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 (OM53439U) Owner's Guide

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
46
(a) Brake System Warning Light and Buzzer
This light comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the ºONº position.
 When the parking brake is applied ...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the ºONº position even after the parking brake is
released.
If you drive your vehicle without releasing the parking brake,
the buzzer sounds.
 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 ºONº 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 the 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 ºABSº warning light.
In this case, not only the anti±lock brake system will
fail but also the vehicle will become extremely
unstable during braking.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
48
(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.
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 ± evenfor one block. It may ruin the engine.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
49
(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 ºChecking the engine
oil levelº on page 315.)
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 ºFacts about engine oil consumptionº on page
313.)
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
ºONº 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.
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 this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not increase
with the accelerator pedal depressed down to about the middle
position, there may be a problem somewhere in your electronic
throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have
your Lexus 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 ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
52
How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.


or
or

or
The following service reminder indicators go off after a few
seconds.
or

The lights other than the slip indicator light may stay on for
about 60 seconds after the engine is started. It is normal if they
go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not
function as described above, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
61
Cigarette Lighter
To use the cigarette lighter, press it in. After it finishes
heating up, it automatically pops out ready for use.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed in.
If the engine is not running, the ignition key must be in the
ºACCº position to use the lighter.
Use a Lexus genuine cigarette lighter or equivalent for
replacement.
Ashtray
To use the ashtray, open the cover.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish it in
the ashtray to prevent other cigarette butts from catching fire.
After using the ashtray, close the ashtray cover completely.
To remove the ashtray, open the ashtray cover and pull it out.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or
sudden stop while driving, always completely close the
ashtray after use.
POWER OUTLET
SV14029a

In the console box
SV14010

In the luggage compartment (SportCross only)
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
62The power outlet is designed for power supply for car
accessories.
The ignition key must be in the ºACCº or ºONº position for t\
he
power outlet to be used.
NOTICE
In the console: To prevent the fuse from being blown,
do not use the electricity over the total vehiclecapacity of 12V 3.5A.
In the luggage compartment: To prevent the fusefrom being blown, do not use the electricity over thetotal vehicle capacity of 12V/120W.
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do notuse the power outlet longer than necessary when theengine is not running.
Close the power outlet lid when the power outlet isnot in use. Inserting a foreign object other than theappropriate plug that fits the outlet, or allowing anyliquid into the outlet may cause electrical failure or
short circuits.
GLOVE BOX
SS14012

1Unlock 2Open 3Lock
To open the glove box door, pull the lever. To lock the
glove box door, insert the master key and turn it
clockwise.
With the tail lights on, the glove box light will come on when the
glove box door is open.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or
a sudden stop, always keep the glove box door closed
while driving.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
85
Luggage security system
SS15013
After closing the trunk lid, insert the master key and turn
it counterclockwise to deactivate the lock release lever.
At this time, the trunk lid can be opened only by the
phosphorescent handle lever inside the trunk.
FUEL TANK CAP
SS15008
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the lever up.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
when refueling. The fumes are flammable.
 When opening the cap, do not remove the cap
quickly. In hot weather, fuel under pressure could
cause injury by spraying out of the filler neck if the
cap is suddenly removed.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

THEFT DETERRENT
176
THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
SV17003

Sedan
SV17004

SportCross
To deter theft of the vehicle, this system is designed to
sound an alarm if any of the doors, trunk or hood is
forcibly unlocked or the battery terminal is disconnected
and then reconnected while the vehicle is locked.*
NOTE: *The system operating condition can be changed.Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently and flashes the
headlights, tail lights and other exterior lights.
SV17002
Setting the system
1. Turn the ignition key to the ºLOCKº position and
remove it.
The engine immobiliser system causes the indicator light to
flash.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
180
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
SV21019

You can adjust the brightness of the display. SeeºInstrument panel light controlº on page 53 for details.
The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains
the set temperature.
In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioning selects
the most suitable fan speed, air flow, air intake and on±off of
the air conditioning according to the temperature.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do notleave the air conditioning on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
186However, once selecting ºRECIRCULATED AIRº of the air
intake manually will make this function inoperable. In order to
make this function operable again, first select ºOUTSIDE AIRº
of the air intake, turn off the ignition switch, and start the engine
again. Then this function return to be operable.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ºA/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 0C (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 ºA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of the
ºA/Cº button blinks even when the ºA/Cº button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
SV21016
To remove interior fog on the windshield ±
1. Turn the air flow control dial to ºWINDSHIELDº.
2. Set the ºOUTSIDE AIRº mode.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield ±
1. Turn the temperature control dial to the maximum
temperature.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to ºWINDSHIELDº.
3. Turn the fan speed control dial to ºHIº.
4. Leave the air conditioning on±off button off.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)