1998 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO129
Caring for your compact disc player and discs
20L037

Use only compact discs labeled as shown. The player is intended for use
with 12 cm (4.7 in.) discs only.
 Extremely high temperature can keep your compact disc player from
working. On hot days, use air conditioning to cool the vehicle interior
before you listen to a disc.
 Bumpy roads or other vibrations may make your compact disc player skip.
 If moisture gets into your compact disc player, you may not hear any sound
even though your compact disc player appears to be working. Rem ove the
magazine from the player and wait until it dries.
20L038

Correct
Wrong
 Handle compact discs carefully, especially when you set them into the
magazine. Hold them on the edge and do not bend them. Avoid getting
fingerprints on them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or other disc damage could cause the
player to skip or to repeat a section of a track. (To see a pin hole, hold the
disc up to the light.)
20L039
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a soft, lint±free cloth that has been
dampened with water. Wipe in a straight line from the center to the edge of
the disc (not in a circle). Do not use a conventional record cleaner or
anti±static device.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
130
20L040
A new disc may have rough edges on its inner and outer perimeter.
Remove the rough edges by pr essing the side of a ball±point pen or pencil
against the inner and outer edges of the disc as shown.
If you continue to play a disc with rough edges, flakes will fall on to th\
e signal
side of the disc and cause sound skipping or other problems.
CAUTION
Compact disc players use invisible laser beams which could
cause hazardous radiation exposure if directed outside the
unit. Be sure to operate the player correctly as instructed.

SECTION 3 ± 1
131
STARTING AND DRIVING
Three±way catalytic converter Warm up three±way catalytic converter132
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 133
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Before starting the engine 134
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Ignition switch with steering lock 134
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Parking brake 135
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How to start the engine 136
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Automatic transmission 137
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Cruise control 144
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Electronic modulated suspension 146
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Traction control system 147
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Brake system 148
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 150
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Types of tires 150
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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 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
134
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the windshield clear of snow, leaves, or
other obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the trunk lid closed. Have the cause immediately located
and corrected.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height and steering
wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators function when
turning the key to ºONº, and check the fuel gauge to see that you \
have
sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERING
LOCK
31E036
ºSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to the ºONº position
when released.
For starting tips, see page 136.
ºONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ºONº position if the engine is not runni\
ng.
The battery will discharge and the electronic ignition system/distributo\
r
ignition system could be damaged.
ºACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but the engine i\
s off.

STARTING AND DRIVING135
If you leave the key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position and open \
the driver's
door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
31E037
ºLOCKº ± 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 ºACCº to the ºLOCKº po\
sition. The
selector lever must be put in the ºPº position before turning the key to t\
he
ºLOCKº position.
Once
you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is automatically set.
See ºEngine immobiliser systemº on page 9.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the ºLOCKº positio\
n.
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 moving,
turn the key only to ºACCº.
PARKING BRAKE
31E004
To set: Hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot. Push
down the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
To release: Hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot and
push the parking brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your le\
ft
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the released position.
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.

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.