tow Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

1.
FOREWORD
i
Congratulations on your selection of this Lexus. In Lexus vehicles we ha\
ve invested all our engineering and design resources; a
ll
the know± how we have gained in over 60 years of making automobiles; the\
highest motivation of our most talented employees; and
our tradition of incessant striving toward ever greater quality.
This Owner's Manual explains the features of your new Lexus. Please read it and fol\
low the instructions carefully so that you can
enjoy many years of safe motoring.
When it comes to service, remember that your Lexus dealer knows your vehicle bes\
t and is interested in your complete satisfaction.
Your Lexus dealer will provide quality maintenance and any other assistan\
ce you may require.
If there is not a Lexus dealer near you, or you need emergency assistanc\
e for any reason, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS

When traveling in the U.S. mainland or Canada:
Lexus Roadside Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)

HAWAII:
Lexus Customer Service Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)
CANADIAN OWNERS
When traveling in Canada or the U.S. mainland:
Lexus Roadside Assistance/Customer Service 1±800±26±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±265±3987)
Please leave this Owner's Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will nee\
d this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time o\
f printing. However, because of the Lexus policy
of continual product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes a\
t any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equi\
pment, including options. Therefore, you may find
some explanations for equipment not installed on your vehicle.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

KEYS AND DOORS
20
DOORS
Locking with key
SS11007a

1Lock 2Unlock
Turn the key towards the front of the vehicle to lock and
towards the back to unlock.
Locking (or unlocking) the driver's door will lock (or unlock) all
the other doors simultaneously. In the driver's door lock,
turning the key once will unlock the driver's door and twice in
succession will unlock all doors simultaneously.*
Together with the activation of unlocking, the interior light will
turn on for 15 seconds if the interior light switch is in the
ºDOORº position.** However, this function does not work
when the ignition key is in the ºONº position. For further
information, see ºInterior lightº on page 57.
NOTE: *The 2±step unlocking function can be changed.**The interior light can be set not to come on or the duration
of lighting can be changed. Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
Locking with inside lock button
SV11004

1Lock 2Unlock
Push in the lock button to lock and unlock the door.
When locked, the door cannot be opened with either the
outside or inside door handle.
Closing the door with the lock button pushed in will also lock
the door. Be careful not to lock your keys in the vehicle. The
door will not lock if the key is left in the ignition switch when
closing the front doors.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

KEYS AND DOORS
23
To open the back door from the outside, open it during
pressing the back door opener.
If the back door will not open even pressing the back door
opener, press it again.
When
opening the back door, make sure that the back door will
not come down by itself.
The back door can be opened when the vehicle is stopped.
The back door can be locked or unlocked in the following ways.
 Operate the power door lock switch. (See ºDoorsº on page
20.)
 Operate the wireless remote control. (See ºWireless
remote controlº on page 13.)
 Locking (or unlocking) the driver's door will lock (or unlock)
all the other doors simultaneously. In the driver's door lock,
turning the key once will unlock the driver's door and twice
in succession will unlock all doors simultaneously.
If the battery terminal is disconnected and reconnected, the
back door will be automatically locked. Be careful not to lock
your keys in the vehicle.
See ºLuggage stowage precautionsº on page 80 for
precautions in loading luggage.
SV11023
When closing the back door, use the inside handle for
easier reach to the back door.
To close the back door, lower it and press down on it. After
closing the back door, try pulling it up to make sure it is securely
closed.
When closing the back door, make sure it is securely closed.
See ºLuggage stowage precautionsº on page 80 for
precautions in loading luggage.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

SWITCHES
32
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHERSWITCH
SS12013b

1Interval adjuster 2Washer on
To turn the wipers on, move the lever down until you reach
the desired speed setting.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
There are 3 settings:
ºINTº position: Intermittent operation
ºLOº position: Low speed operation
ºHIº position: High speed operation
Twist the interval adjuster upward to increase the wiping
time interval between sweeps, and downward to decrease
it.
The wiper lever must be in the ºINTº position. For mist wiper operations (a single wipe), pull the lever
toward you and release it.
To make the washer squirt, push the button on the end of
the lever.
For information on adding washer fluid, see ºAdding washer
fluidº on page 354.
Some m
odels: If you push the windshield washer switch with
the headlights on, the headlight cleaner operates once
automatically.
In cold weather, warm the windshield with the defroster before
using the washer. This will help prevent icing, which could
block your vision.
The rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger
automatically turns on when you operate the wipers.
NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the windshield is dry. It may scratch the glass.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

SECTION 1 ± 4
55
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Interior equipment
Vanity mirrors56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
Interior lights 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .
Personal lights 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Ignition switch light 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
Luggage compartment light 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock 59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside temperature display 59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette lighter and ashtray 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power outlet 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .
Glove box 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . .
Garage door opener 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. .
Cup holders 66
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary boxes 69
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Warning reflector holder 70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tie±down hooks 71
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Luggage cover 72
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
In order to expand the luggage space 75
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor mat 78
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . .
First±aid kit holder 79
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
Luggage stowage precautions 80
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
71
TIE±DOWN HOOKS
SV14003

Sedan
SV14024

SportCross
To secure your luggage, use the tie±down hooks as
shown above.See ºLuggage stowage precautionsº on page 80 for
precautions to observe for loading luggage.
CAUTION
To avoid personal injury, keep the tie±down hooks
stored under the carpet when not in use.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
80
LUGGAGE STOWAGEPRECAUTIONS
When stowing luggage or cargo in the vehicle, observe
the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as
far forward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
CAUTION
To prevent luggage or packages from sliding forward
during braking, do not stack anything in the enlarged
trunk or the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep luggage or packages low, as close
to the floor as possible.
 Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk or
the luggage compartment. It is not designed for pas-
sengers. They could be injured in sudden braking or
a collision.
 Do not place anything on the package tray behind the
rear seatback or luggage cover. Such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure people in the
vehicle during sudden braking or in an accident.
Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument
panel. They may interfere with the driver's field of
view. Or they may move during sharp vehicle
acceleration or turning, and impair the driver's
control of the vehicle. In an accident they may injure
the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle capacity
weight specified on the tire pressure label.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
90
FRONT SEATS
(POWER TYPE)
Front seat precautions
(on vehicles with SRS front airbags)
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (ªNHTSAº) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50Ð75
mm (2Ð3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
 Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
 Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it
hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non±slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
 If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward.
This points the airbag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by
NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Front passenger seat
CAUTION
The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with
considerable force, and can cause death or serious
injury especially if the front passenger is very close to
the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far
from the airbag as possible with the seatback adjusted,
so the front passenger sits upright.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
95
FRONT SEATS
(MANUAL TYPE)
Front seat precautions
(on vehicles with SRS front airbags)
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (ªNHTSAº) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50Ð75
mm (2Ð3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
 Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
 Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it
hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non±slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
 If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward.
This points the airbag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by
NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Front passenger seat
CAUTION
The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with
considerable force, and can cause death or serious
injury especially if the front passenger is very close to
the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far
from the airbag as possible with the seatback adjusted,
so the front passenger sits upright.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
100
CAUTION
To avoid serious injury:
Do not set up the seatback table while the vehicle is
moving.
 Do not sit on the folded seatback.
 Make sure the front passenger's seat is securely
locked in sliding position when you set the front pas-
senger's seat as a temporary table.
NOTICE
To prevent the seat from damaging, avoid putting heavy
loads on the temporary table.
FOLD±DOWN REAR SEATS
Before folding down rear seats
SV16105
1To stow the rear center seatbelt, line the concave end tab
upon the round end tab.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)