1998 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

BASIC OPERATION
1
QUICK REFERENCE
Driver's seat2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
Steering wheel 2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . .
Automatic transmission 3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight and turn signal switch 4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper switch 5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .

BE0018
Seat positionSeat cushion angle
Seat cushion height
Seatback agnle
Lumbar support
Head restraint height
Head restraint angle
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
2
1. DRIVER'S SEAT 2. STEERING WHEEL

TILT STEERING WHEEL
BE002±1
To tilt the steering wheel up or down to the desired angle:
1. Pull the lever up while holding the steering wheel.
2. Push or pull the steering wheel to the desired angle.
3. Release the lever.

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

BE004
BE005
Parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel
lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
High beam
Headlight flasher
BE004
BE004
Parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel
lights turn on.
Headlights turn of at full
intensity.
Automatic light control
Parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel
lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
4
4. HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR U.S.A.)

HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR CANADA)
With the ignition OFF
With the engine started and parking brake released

BE005
BE006
High beam
Headlight flasher
Right or left turn
Lane change
(Right or left)BE007
Washer on
Intermittent operation
Low speed operation
High speed operation
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE5

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
5. WIPER SWITCH

SECTION 1 ± 1
6
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Keys and doors
Keys7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine immobiliser system 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wireless remote control transmitter 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Doors 13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . .

KEYS AND DOORS7
KEYS
11L025-2
1Master key (black) ± The master key works in every lock. For your
Lexus dealer to make you a new key with built±in transponder chip,
your dealer will need it.
2 Subkey (gray) ± The subkey will not open the trunk, trunk main
switch and the glovebox.
3Key number plate ± Keep the plate in a safe place such as your
wallet, not in the vehicle.
The master key and subkey each have a transponder chip in their key head
which is very i mportant for the immobiliser system function, so be careful not
to lose these keys. If you make your own duplicate key, you will not be able
to cancel the system or start the engine.
To protect things locked in the trunk or glovebox when you have your vehic\
le
parked, leave the subkey with the attendant. Since the doors and trunk lid can be locked without a key, you should always
carry a spare master key in case you accidentally lock your keys inside the
vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you need additional keys, duplicates ca\
n be
made by a Lexus dealer using the key number.
You should also put a copy of the key number with your important papers.
11L003
Since a transponder chip is not built in this flat key, you cannot start the
engine with this key. Use this key to release the lock in case you
accidentally lock your keys and wireless transmitter inside the vehicle or
trunk.
Insert your flat key in its key case as shown. We recommend that you always
carry this with you for emergency use. Do not leave it in your vehicle.

KEYS AND DOORS
8
NOTICE
Do not let the key case become bent as the key may fall out or become
bent also.
 The flat key is designed for emergency use only.
11L021-1
NOTICE
When using a key containing a transponder chip, observe the following
precautions:
When starting the engine, do not use the key with a key ring resting on
the key grip and do not press the key ring against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start, or may stop soon after it starts.
11L022-1
When starting the engine, do not use the key in contact with another
transponder key (including keys of other vehicles) and do not press
another key plate against the key grip. Otherwise the engine may not
start, or may stop soon after it starts.