1998 Lexus ES300 engine

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
32
If the brake fluid level is correct ...
Have the warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the reminder light and
buzzer come on if the driver's seat belt is not fastened. Unless the driver
fastens the belt, the light stays on and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8
seconds.
(c) SRS Warning Light
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.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning light system. Contact your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as described above.
 The light stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front passenger air\
bags fail.
If the light flashes, the side airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fa\
il.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the engine, and
check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive belt.
 If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the battery is
discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive
directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.

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.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
40
CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASHTRAY
14E007±1

Front cigarette lighter and ashtray
To use the cigarette lighter and ashtray, first push against the ashtray
cover. Then when the ashtray opens out, press in the cigarette lighter.
When it becomes heated, it automatically pops out ready for use.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed in.
If the engine is not running, the ignition key must be in the ºACCº\
position.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish it in the ashtr\
ay to
prevent other cigarette butts from catching fire. After using the ashtray, push
it back in completely.
To remove the ashtray, just pull it up.
Use a Lexus genuine cigarette lighter or equivalent for replacement.
14E008±4

Rear ashtray 1
Snuffer bridge
To use the ashtray, pull on the lid.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish it in the ashtray t\
o
prevent other cigarette butts from catching fire. After using the ashtray, close
the lid completely.
To remove the ashtray, pull it out while pressing on the snuffer bridge to
release the catch.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or sudden
stop while driving, always close the ashtray completely after
using.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT41
POWER OUTLET
14E016
The power outlet is designed for power supply for car accessories.
The ignition key must be in the ºACCº or ºONº position for the \
power outlet
to be used.
NOTICE
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not use the electricity over
the total vehicle capacity of 12V/120W.
 To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not use the power
outlet longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
Close the power outlet lid when the power outlet is not in use. Inserting
a foreign object other than the appropriate plug that fits the outlet, or\
allowing any liquid into the outlet may cause electrical failure or short
circuits.
GLOVEBOX
14E0039

1 Unlock 2Open 3Lock
To open the glovebox door, pull the lever. To lock the glovebox door, insert
the master key and turn it clockwise.
With the tail lights on, the glovebox light will come on when the glovebo\
x
door is open.
The trunk lid opener main switch is installed inside the glovebox. See \
page
52 for further information.
For the CD automatic changer, see page 122.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or a
sudden stop, always keep the glovebox door closed while
driving.
CUP HOLDER

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
52
15E005±2

1Main switch 2Operative 3Inoperative
If you do not want to activate the trunk lid opener system, turn off the\
main switch in the glovebox. To turn it on, push in the main switch.
To protect things put in the trunk, when you have your vehicle parked, tur\
n off
the trunk lid opener system and lock the glovebox.
FUEL TANK CAP
15E006
1. To open the fuel filler door, push the switch.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
 Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames when
refuelling. The fumes are flammable.
 When opening the cap, do not remove the cap quickly. In
hot weather, fuel under pressure could cause injury by
spraying out of the filler neck if the cap is suddenly
removed.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT63
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving. It may
cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident
may occur, resulting in personal injuries.
 Since the mirror surfaces can get hot, keep your hands off
them when the switch is on.
Power rear view mirror control
16E011
1
Control switch 2Master switch
To adjust the power rear view mirror, first place the master switch at ºLº
(left) or ºRº (right), and push the control switch on the desired side.
If the engine is not running, the key must be in the ºACCº positio\
n for
operation of the power rear view mirror.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control or scrape the
mirror face. Use a spray de±icer to free the mirror.
Folding rear view mirrors
16E012
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in restricted area\
s.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be extended
and properly adjusted before driving.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO103
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
20E001±3

The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains the set
temperature.
This air conditioning features automatic fan speed and air flow control
which automatically selects the most suitable fan speed and air flow to
control the temperature. The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the air
conditioning on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

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).