1998 Lexus ES300 engine overheat

SWITCHES25
EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH
12E014±1
To turn on the emergency flashers, push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. The emergency flashers will work with
the engine running or off and with or without the ignition key.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn other drivers if you must stop your
vehicle where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible.
The turn signal light switch will not work when the emergency flashers are in
operation.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the switch on
longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
12E015±2

1For driver's seat 2For front passenger's seat
To turn on the seat heater, push the switch.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat heater
because it may make them feel too hot or cause burns at low
temperatures (erythema, varicella). Use extra caution for;
 Baby, small child, elderly person, sick person or
handicapped person
 Persons who have delicate skin
 Persons who are exhausted
Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which induce sleep
(sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.)
To prevent the seat overheating, do not use the seat heater with a
blanket, cushion, or other insulating objects which cover the seat.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
132
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTERWARM UP THREE±WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
31E001±4

1Warm up three±way catalytic converter
2Three±way catalytic converter
Vehicles sold in California;
1 and 2
Vehicles sold outside California;
2 only
The three±way catalytic converter/warm up three±way catalytic
converter is an emission control device installed in the exhaust system.
It looks somewhat like a muffler, but its purpose is to reduce pollutants in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
 Keep people and combustible materials away from the
exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas
is very hot.
 Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything that
might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases flowing into the three±way catalytic\
converter/warm up three±way catalytic converter may cause it to
overheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this and other damage,
observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
 Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, creating an excessive load on the
three±way catalytic converter/warm up three±way catalytic converter.
 Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more than 20 minutes.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
 Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
136
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ºPº. If you need to restart the engine \
while the
vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ºNº. A starter safety devic\
e will
prevent the starter from operating if the selector lever is in any drive positi\
on.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until you are ready to \
drive
off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in ºBefore
crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection sys\
tem
in your engine automatically controls the proper air±fuel mixture for s\
tarting.
You can start a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by turning the
key to ºSTARTº. Release it when the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready to drive.If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a few minut\
es
before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal starting\
.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 162.
NOTICE

Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat
the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING141
3Shift into the ºLº position. The transmission will downshift to t\
he first
gear when the vehicle speed is lower than 55 km/h (34 mph) and
maximum engine braking will be applied.
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed could cause the vehicle to spin
or skid.
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº positions
The º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong engine braking\
as described
previously.
With the selector lever in º2º or ºLº, you can start the vehicle\
in motion as with
the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º2º, the vehicle will start in the first\
gear and
automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the transmission is engaged in the \
first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the tachometer to keep
engine rpm from going into the red zone. The approximate maximum
allowable speed for each position is given above for your reference.
º2º 128 km/h (80 mph) . . . .
ºLº 70 km/h (43 mph) . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long time in the º2º
or ºLº position. This may cause severe automatic transmission
damage from overheating. To prevent such damage, ºDº position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.

STARTING AND DRIVING143
(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.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then
you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward
and backward. Do not attempt this procedure if people or
objects are anywhere near the vehicle. During the rocking
operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward or back as
it becomes un±stuck, causing injury or damage to nearby
people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following precautions to prevent
damage to the transmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting the selector lever
or before the transmission is completely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as towing.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº
position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from ºPº position even though\
the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For instructions, se\
e ºIf
you cannot shift automatic transmission selector leverº on page 177.

DRIVING TIPS153
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 140.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
 Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has high±speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
high±speed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
 Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will r equire a longer stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake
will not hold the vehicle securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethylene±glycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 219 tells you how to
visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will
be pleased to check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 200 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure
about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer ± they will be pleased to h\
elp.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or obvious
damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from fre\
ezing.

DRIVING TIPS
158

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear from time to time to
prepare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the
steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never
increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer
straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or
brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
 Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer
and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
 In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive.
 Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 30C [85 F]) when going up a long or
steep gr ade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your
vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº\
on page 166 of this manual.
 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when
parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in ºPº.
Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so
only after performing the following: 1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in ºPº position, start the engine. Be sure to k\
eep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the º2º, ºLº or ºRº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION

Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed
limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of
a towing vehicle±trailer combination usually increases as
the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause
loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too fr equently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.