1998 Lexus ES300 cooling

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS29
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in stop±and±go traf\
fic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling system as this may
cause the engine to overheat. The thermostat is designed to control the
flow of coolant to keep the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an overheated engine. See ºIf your
vehicle overheatsº on page 166.
TACHOMETER
13E003
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm (revolutions
per minute). Use it while driving to prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive engine wear and
poor fuel economy. Remember, in most cases the slower the engine speed, the
greater the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO107
SETTING OPERATION ± manual control
If manual air flow selection is desired ±
20E005±1
The outlets from which air is delivered can be selected manually by pushing\
the button. The function of each mode is as follows:
1
Panel ± Air flows mainly from the instrument panel vents.
2
Bi±level ± Air flows from both the floor vents and the instrument panel
vents.
3 Floor ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents.
4
Floor/Windshield ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents and
windshield vents. If quick heating or cooling is desired ±
Turn the ºTEMPº knob until ºMAX. HOTº or ºMAX. COLDº appea\
rs on the
display.
When the ºMAX. COLDº is selected, the air intake is automatically set \
to
ºRECIRCULATED AIRº mode.
To cancel the automatic control of the ºRECIRCULATED AIRº mode; turn
the ignition switch off and then turn it on while pushing the ºAUTOº and the
fan speed control button on the left side. To return to the previous mode of
automatic control; turn the ignition switch off and then turn it on while
pushing the ºOFFº and ºFRONT WINDSHIELDº buttons.
If manual fan speed control is desired ±
20E006±2

1
Fan speed at low 2Fan speed at high
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by pushing the appropriate s\
ide
of fan speed control button. The higher the fan speed is, the more air \
is
delivered. Pushing the ºOFFº button turns off the fan.
To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speed setting.
If manual switching of air intake is desired ±

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
108
20E007±1
The air intake control button is used to switch the air intake between the
OUTSIDE AIR mode and RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the OUTSIDE AIR mode
indicator light will come on and the system will take fresh outside air into the
vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake control\
button
for RECIRCULATED AIR. The RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light
will come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button set to OUT\
SIDE
AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during heating, the windows will \
fog up
more easily.If the engine coolant temperature becomes extremely high, the
RECIRCULATED AIR mode is automatically selected. This is not a
malfunction. When the engine coolant temperature is lowered, the previous
mode resumes.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ºA/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and push it agai\
n to turn
the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature is lowered do\
wn
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 wh\
en the
ºA/Cº button is pushed again, have the compressor checked by your \
nearest
Lexus dealer.
Displaying the outside temperature ±
When you push the ºOUTSIDE TEMPº knob, the temperature display shows
the outside temperature. To return to the display of the current set
temperature, push the knob again. The temperature display ranges from
±30 C (±22F) up to 50C (122F).

STARTING AND DRIVING133

Keep your engine in good running order. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electronic ignition system/distributor ignition
system or fuel system could cause an extremely high three±way
catalytic converter/warm up three±way catalytic converter
temperature.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, take your
vehicle in for a check±up as soon as possible. Remember, your Lexus
dealer knows your vehicle and its three±way catalytic converter/warm
up three±way catalytic converter system best.
 To ensure that the three±way catalytic converter /warm up three±way
catalytic converter and the entire emission control system operate
properly, your vehicle must receive the periodic inspections required
by the Lexus Maintenance Schedule. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the separate ºOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.
ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas. It can
cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from time to
time. If you hit something, or notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust, have the system checked immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area except
for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or out. The
exhaust gases cannot escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with the
engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do so only in
an unconfined area and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the vehicle.
 Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be drawn
into the vehicle. If you must drive with the trunk lid open
to accommodate a large object, close the windows, open all
the dashboard vents and have the heating or cooling system
deliver fresh air into the vehicle by turning the fan to high
speed with the air intake control button in the OUTSIDE
AIR mode.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
166
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you
experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise,
the engine has probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers.
Put the transmission in ºPº and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of steam or
coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged already. Call your
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check the
following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the acceptabl\
e range,
turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has cooled
to normal, continue driving your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your vehicle
overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your Lexus dealer.

62L005±1
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
ENGINE193
SPECIFICATIONS
± GENERALModel
Type
Bore and stroke
Displacement
Valve clearance (engine cold) Intake
Exhaust
Drive belt tension (with Borroughs drive belt tension gauge No.
BT±33±73F)
1MZ ± FE
6 cylinder V type, 4 cycle, gasoline
87.5 X 83 mm (3.44 X 3.27 in.)
2995 cm
3 (182.7 cu.in.)
0.15 ± 0.25 mm (0.006 ± 0.010 in.)
0.25 ± 0.35 mm (0.010 ± 0.014 in.)
115
20 lb.
± LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Oil capacity Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
Oil grade
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
4.7 L (5.0 qt., 4.1 lmp.qt.)
4.5 L (4.8 qt., 4.0 lmp.qt.)
API SH, ºEnergy±Conserving IIº or SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade
engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
± COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE
196
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl Tertiary±Butyl Ether) are
available in the market. If you use a gasoline mixed with MTBE, make
certain that it does not contain more than 15% of MTBE.
If the use of gasolines containing MTBE causes poor drivability and/or p\
oor
fuel economy, you should stop using them.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing additive called MMT
(methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that contain MMT. If fuels
containing MMT are used, your emission control system may be adversely
affected. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument cluster may
come on. If this happens, contact your Lexus dealer for service.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use gasohol in your
Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an octane rating no lower than 87
and does not contain more than 10% ethanol. Lexus does not recommend
the use of gasolines containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline meeting the
requirements above and also containing less than 5% methanol with
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol.
NOTICE
 Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system
damage or vehicle performance problems.
 If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot starting, vaporizing,
engine knock, etc.), discontinue its use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp.gal.)
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL
CONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling the inside of th\
e
engine, and plays a major role in maintaining the engine in proper working
order.

ENGINE201
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
62E004±3

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the see±through coolant
reservoir when the engine is cool. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the upper and lower lines on the tank. If the level is low, add
ethylene±glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine coolant temperatur\
e.
However, if the level is on or below the lower line, add coolant to bring the
level up to the upper line.
Use only ethylene±glycol type coolant. For information on ethylene±g\
lycol
coolant, see also ºEngine coolant selectionº described below.
If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there\
may be
a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses, radiator cap, drain
cock and water pump. If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap pressure and \
check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot.
Engine coolant selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol antifreeze. In addition to
preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or additives are neither
needed nor recommended.
Read
the antifreeze container for information on freeze protection. Follow t\
he
manufacturer 's directions for how much to mix with water. The total capacity
of the cooling system is given on page 193. We recommend 50% solution be
used for your Lexus, or a sufficient quantity to provide protection to about
±35 C (±31F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.