1998 Lexus ES300 cluster

3.
PICTORIAL INDEX3
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Vehicles sold in U. S. A.)
PE002±1

5.
PICTORIAL INDEX5
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (Vehicles sold in Canada)
PE003±1

BE003±4
Note: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmissio\
n by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will
not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operat\
ion to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 146.
Parking, engine starting and key
removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine braking
Position for stronger engine braking
than that in º2º position
With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while holding the lock release button
in. (The ignition switch must be in
ºONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button
Overdrive switch
ºOFFº position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)
ºO/D OFFº indicator
light on the instrument
cluster
For selecting either a three±speed or
four±speed transmission
ºONº position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible)
Lock release button (To prevent misshifting)
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
3
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

KEYS AND DOORS9
11L023-2
Do not bend the key grip.
 Do not cover the key grip with any material that cuts off
electromagnetic waves.
 Do not knock the key hard against other objects.
 Do not leave the key exposed to high temperatures for a long period,
such as on the dashboard and hood under the direct sunlight.
 Do not put the key in water or wash it in an ultrasonic washer.
 Do not use the key with electromagnetic materials.
ENGINE IMMOBILISER SYSTEM
11L024±2
The engine immobiliser system is a theft prevention system. When you
insert the key in the ignition switch, the transponder chip in the key's head
transmits an electronic code to the vehicle. The engine will start, only
when the electronic code in the chip corresponds to the r egistered ID code
for the vehicle.
The system is automatically set when the key is removed from the ignition
switch. At this time, the security indicator light at the bottom of the instrument
cluster flashes. When you insert the key in the ignition switch, the security
indicator light goes out and the system is canceled automatically, which
enables the engine to start.
For your Lexus dealer to make you a new key with built±in transponder ch\
ip,
your dealer will need your key number and master key. However, there is a
limit to the number of additional keys your Lexus dealer can make for yo\
u.

SWITCHES17
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
12E001±1
To turn the lights on, twist the knob on the end of the lever.
FIRST CLICKSTOP: Only the parking, tail, license plate, side marker and
instrument panel lights turn on.
SECOND CLICKSTOP: Headlights also turn on.
THIRD CLICKSTOP (ºAUTOº): The headlights and all other lights
automatically turn on depending on the darkness of the surroundings.
Vehicles sold in U.S.A.: When the headlights are on, the headlight indicator
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Vehicles sold in Canada: When the tail lights are on, the tail light indicator
lights up in the instrument cluster. Manually twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the headlights
if they are needed immediately when entering a dark tunnel, parking
structure, etc.
When the headlight switch is turned to the first or second clickstop, the
brightness of the instrument cluster will be reduced slightly unless the
instrument panel light control knob is turned fully on.
12E002
The automatic light control sensor is on top of the driver's side instrument
panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel, and/or do not affix anything
on the windshield to block this sensor.
The lights automatically turn off when the driver's door is opened with the
ignition
key turned to the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position. To turn them on again,
turn the ignition key to the ºONº position, or turn the headlight switc\
h off and
then twist the knob until the first or second clickstop. If you are going to park
for over one week, make sure the headlight switch is off.

SWITCHES
18
Daytime Running Light System (Canada only)
The headlights turn on when the parking brake is released with the engine
started,
even with the light switch in the ºOFFº position. They will not g\
o off
until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel lights, twist th\
e knob
to the first clickstop.
Under the daytime running light system, the headlights turn on at reduced
intensity. Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn to full intensity for
driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ºAUTOº), the headlights will
automatically adjust to full intensity and/or turn on the other lights depending
on the darkness of the surroundings. Likewise, as the surroundings become\
brighter, the headlights will turn to reduced intensity, ultimately turning off
the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the lights on
longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
HEADLIGHT DIMMER AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
12E003±1
For high beam, push the lever forward. Pull it back for low beam. For
the headlight flasher, pull it further back.
A blue light in the instrument cluster indicates high beam or headlight f\
lasher
is on.
The headlight flasher works even when the headlight switch is off.

SWITCHES19
12E004±1
For signaling turns, move the lever up or down in the conventional
manner.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
The turn signal is self±cancelling after a turn, but after a lane change\
, you may
have to cancel it by hand. You can also signal a lane change by moving the
turn signal lever partway and holding it there.
If the green light in the instrument cluster flashes faster than normal, it
indicates that the front or rear turn signal bulb has burned out. If this indicator
light does not come on, the fuse or the indicator light itself has probably failed.
FOG LIGHT SWITCH
12E005±1
To turn on the fog lights, turn the switch to the ºONº position. Th\
e fog
lights come on only when the headlights are on low beam.

SWITCHES
20
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHERSWITCH
12E006

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. 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 washe\
r
squirts even with the lever in the ºOFFº 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 ºAdding washer fluidº on page 227.
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.