1998 Lexus ES300 warning

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS33
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair shop
for assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or it may c\
ome
on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for concern if it then go\
es out
when the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It is not designed
to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be checked using the oil\
level
dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on ± even for one block\
.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil as soon as possible.
(For instructions, see ºChecking the engine oil levelº on page 19\
8.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes the vehicle to
substantially sway or on curves, this light may come on due to the movement
of engine oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº on page 28 for
instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ºFuel tank capº on page
52 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine or automatic transmission
electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case c., have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(h) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your anti±lock \
brake
system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle checked by \
your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº, and w\
ill go
off after about a few seconds.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
34
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system warning light is
off), the brake system operates conventionally but anti±lock brake system i\
s
not assisting brake performance so that the wheels could lock up during a
sudden brake or braking on slippery road surfaces.
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.
(j) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned on (at the f\
irst or
second
clickstop), it indicates that one or more of the tail lights are burned\
out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one or more stop light\
s are
burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
(k) ºTRAC OFFº Indicator/Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº, and will \
go off
after 3 seconds. This means that the system is operating properly.
If the light flashes, this indicates a malfunction in the traction control\
system.
Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.
(l) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank becomes nearly empt\
y.
Fill the tank as soon as possible.
(m) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank, the low fu\
el
level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
(n) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the driver's door
with the ignition key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS35
How to check all the service reminder indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It goes off when
you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It goes off after 6
seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.
or

or

The following service reminder indicators go off after a few seconds.
or

5. Turn the ignition key to ºSTARTº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.

If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not function, e\
ither
the bulb is burned out or circuit is in need of repair. Have it checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT CONTROL
13E005
To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights, turn the knob.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
70
16E125±1

Side airbags
Side airbags:
In response to a severe side impact, the side airbag for the driver or front
passenger works together with the seat belt to help preventing or
reducing injury by inflating, in order to decrease the impact mainly on the
driver or front passenger's chest.
The side airbag on the passenger seat is activated even with no passenge\
r in
the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.
CAUTION
SRS side airbags inflate with considerable force. To avoid
potential death or serious injury during inflation of a side
airbag, Lexus strongly recommends that the driver and front
passenger;
 Wear their seat belt.
 Remain properly seated with their back against the seat at
all times.
16E022
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº o\
r
ºONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This means the SRS is
operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assemblies,
inflators, seat belt pretensioners, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT73
16E136

Vehicle roll±over
The side airbags are not designed to inflate if the vehicle is rolled over.
If the impact on the body of the passenger compartment is not strong as
illustrated above, the relevant side airbag may not inflate.
16L137

1 Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Front passenger airbag module (airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensor assembly
4Seat belt pretensioner
5Steering wheel pad assembly (airbag and inflator)
6SRS warning light
7Driver and front passenger airbag sensor assembly
The SRS airbag sensor assemblies consist of a safing sensor and driver and
front passenger airbag sensor.
In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger airbag sensor d\
etects
deceleration and the system triggers the front airbag inflators and seat belt
pretensioners. In a severe side impact, the side airbag sensor triggers the side
airbag inflator. Then a chemical reaction in the inflators momentarily fills the
airbags with non±toxic gas to help restrain the forward or lateral motion of \
the
occupants. Then the inflators fill the airbags and the seat belts are quickly
drawn back in by the retractors to help restrain forward motion of the
occupants.
When the SRS operates, it produces a fairly loud noise and release some
smoke along with non±toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. Be sure to wash
off any residue as soon as possible to prevent minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happen in a fraction of a second, so the airbags
must inflate with considerable force. While the system is designed to reduc\
e

STARTING AND DRIVING
146
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº direction and hold \
it.
Release the lever when the desired speed is attained. While the lever is held
downward, the vehicle speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set speed is less
than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) e\
ach time
by pressing the control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº direction
quickly.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal and then press
the control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you turn off the overdrive switch with the cruise control on, engine
braking will not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. To
decrease the vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed with the cruise control lever\
or depress the brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise control \
is
cancelled.
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever or by depr\
essing
the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the ºRES/ACCº direction will\
restore
the speed set prior to cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed falls
below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will not be resumed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the ºCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes fi\
ve times and
then goes out when using the cruise control, it means that there is trouble in
the cruise control system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the damping effect on the
shock absorbers with the control switch. Select one of the 4 modes which
is suited to the driving conditions with the control switch to provide good
riding comfort and stability.
31E012±2
1 For sporty type driving such as on winding mountain roads and high
speed driving
2For moderate high speed driving
3For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
4For driving on a bumpy road

STARTING AND DRIVING147
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control the spinning of
the front wheels which may occur when accelerating on slippery road
surfaces, thus assisting driver to control the driving power of the front
wheels.
31E013
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns on. Leave
the system on during ordinary driving so that it can operate when needed.
When traction control is applied, the slip indicator light blinks.
31E014±1
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing the ºTRAC OFFº
switch. The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing
the ºTRAC OFFº switch a second time turns the system back on
and extinguishes the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel vibration or nois\
e
of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the sy\
stem
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the traction control
system will help operate to prevent the wheels from spinning.
Traction control failure warning
If the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the traction control syste\
m.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of the
vehicle and power to the front wheels cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious pace.

STARTING AND DRIVING
148
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic system with two
separate sub±systems. If either sub±system should fail, the other will still
work. However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance
will be longer. Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist the brakes. If the
engine should quit while you are driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop
with normal pedal pressure. There is enough reserve vacuum for one or t\
wo
stops but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each push
on the pedal uses up your vacuum reserve.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes will
still work. But you will have to push the pedal hard ± much
harder than normal. And your braking distance will be
longer.
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically help prevent
lock±up of the wheels during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces. This assists in providing directional stability and steering
performance of the vehicle under these circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the vehicle has
accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops
operating when the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately 5
km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few seconds when the
engine is started or just after the vehicle is started. This means that the
anti±lock brake system is in the self±check mode, and does not indicate a
malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the anti±lock brake
system function is in action, you may feel the brake pedal pulsating and hear
a noise. In this situation, to let the anti±lock brake system work f\
or you, just
hold the brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake. This will
result in reduced braking performance.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake system may indic\
ate
hazardous road surface conditions. Although the anti±lock brake system
assists in providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive with all due
care, because the anti±lock brake system cannot overcome the laws of physic\
s
that act on your vehicle:
 Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the road surface.