1992 Lexus ES300 warning light

STARTING AND DRIVING
98Remember to check that the warning lights function when
turning the ignition key to “ON”, and check the fuel gauge to
see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK
“START” − Starter motor on. The ignition key will return to
the “ON” position when released.
For starting tips, see page 99.
“ON” − Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE:
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position if the engine is
not running. The battery will discharge and the ignition
system could be damaged.
“ACC” − Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.If you leave the key in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position and open
the driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
“LOCK” − Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
You must push in the key to turn it from “ACC” to the “LOCK”
position. On vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
selector lever must be put in the “P” range before turning the
key to the “LOCK” position.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
“LOCK” position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all
the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is in motion, turn the key only to “ACC”

STARTING AND DRIVING
106
(f) Good driving practice

If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, turn off the overdrive switch. Be sure to turn the
switch on immediately after climbing the slope.

When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION:
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE:
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the
accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission to
overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.
Shift lock override button:
If you cannot shift the selector lever from the “P” range to the
other ranges with the brake pedal depressed, push the shift
lock override button. For your safety, keep the brake pedal
depressed during the operation.
Transmission failure warning
If the “O/D OFF” indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the
transmission system.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The shift pattern is the conventional pattern shown above.
Press the clutch pedal down fully while shifting, and then
release it slowly. Do not rest your foot on the pedal while
driving, because it will cause needless wear. And do not
slightly release the pedal to hold the vehicle when stopped on
an uphill grade − use the parking brake.
Recommended shifting speeds
The transmission is fully synchronized and upshifting or
downshifting is easy.

STARTING AND DRIVING
11 0
Cruise control failure warning
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
five times and then goes out when using the cruise control, it
means that there is trouble in the cruise control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub-systems. If either sub-system
should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will be
harder to press, and your stopping distance will be longer.
Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION:
Do not rely on a single brake system. Have your brakes
fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power-assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can
bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There
is enough reserve vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION:
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each
push on the pedal uses up your vacuum reserve.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard−much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will be longer.
Anti-lock brake system
The anti-lock brake system is designed to prevent lock-up
of the wheels during sudden braking or braking on
slippery surfaces. This helps the vehicle remain steerable
and stable under these circumstances.
The system functions with normal pedal operation. When the
anti-lock function is in action, a pulsation of the brake pedal
may result, together with a characteristic noise. This indicates
that the system is functioning properly.
When driving with the anti-lock brake system, keep the
following in mind and adjust your driving according to the road
and traffic conditions

Even with the anti lock brake system, your vehicle still
requires a sufficient stopping distance. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

Always slow down when cornering. The anti-lock brake
system cannot prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speeds.

On rough, gravel or snow-covered roads, etc., operation of
the anti-lock brake system may result in a longer stopping
distance than for vehicles not fitted with an anti-lock brake
system. Take this into account and reduce your speed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
111
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti-lock brake system
cannot eliminate the risk of aquaplaning.
Anti-lock brake system failure warning light
This warning light in the instrument cluster warns that there is
a problem somewhere in your anti-lock brake system.
Even if the anti-lock brake system should fail, the brake system
operates conventionally but without anti-lock function. Have
your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Drum-in-disc type parking brake system
The parking brake of your vehicle utilizes a drum-it-disc type
parking brake system. This type of brake system reeds
bedding-down of the brake shoes periodically or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding-down as follows:
1. Drive the vehicle at about 50 km/h (30 mph) on a safe, level
and dry road.
2. With the parking brake release button pushed in, pull on the
lever with 88 N (9 kgf, 20 lb) of force.
3. Drive the vehicle for about 400 m (1 /4 mile) in this condition.
4. Repeat this procedure 2 or 3 times.
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMIT
INDICATORS
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes
give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to
where replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have
the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible. Expensive rotor damage can result it the
pads are not replaced when necessary.