1998 Lexus ES300 warning

STARTING AND DRIVING149

Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a driver cannot
maintain full control on certain slippery road surfaces, when cornering at
high speeds, or in violent maneuvers.
 Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake system cannot
eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Compared
with vehicles not fitted with an anti±lock brake system, your vehicle\
may
require a longer stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has other differences
in surface height. ºABSº warning light
31E015
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº po\
sition.
After about a few seconds, the light will go off.
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, or remains on.
 The light comes on while driving.
Even if the anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake system will still
operate conventionally. But when the ºABSº warning light is on (and the
brake system warning light is off), anti±lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels could lock up during a sudden brake or
braking on slippery road surfaces. Have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding±down of the brake shoes periodically or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.

STARTING AND DRIVING
150
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMIT INDICATORS
31E016
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes give a warning
noise when the brake pads are worn to the extent that replacement is
required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have the brake \
pads
checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Expensive
rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited to highway driving\
under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as snow tires,
summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow±covered or icy roads. For
driving on snow±covered or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to \
be
adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use all year
round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance
compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall
short in acceleration and handling performance compared with summer tires
in highway driving.
CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season tires on your vehicle as
this can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's designated
tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the sizes different
from the originals.

MAINTENANCE
182
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 208 for additional
information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after the vehicl\
e
has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, h\
ave
the cause found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check
that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly and all latches lo\
ck
securely. Make sure the engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when
the primary latch is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while performing
periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and o\
ther
lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers function
properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes in steering
condition, such as hard steering, excessive freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc.
operate smoothly. Check that the head restraints move up and down smoothly
and that the locks hold securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors and anchors operat\
e
properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn
or damaged.

CHASSIS
210
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straigh\
t
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C
± The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can \
lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performan\
ce
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade of this tire established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use only the same size and construction as
originally installed and with the same or greater load capacity.
Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect handling, ride,
speedometer/odometer calibration, ground clearance, and clearance between
the body and tires or snow chains.
Do not mix radial, belted, or conventional tires on your vehicle.
Do not use tires or wheels other than the manufacturer's recommended
size.
It can cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of co\
ntrol.
If you need to change from conventional tires to radial tires or vice ve\
rsa,
replace them as a set.
INSTALLING SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
When to use snow tires or chains
Snow tires or chains are recommended when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional or radial tires provide better traction \
than
snow or studded tires.
Snow tire selection
If you need snow tires, select the same size, construction and load capacity
as the original tires on your Lexus.
Do not use tires other than stated above. Since your vehicle has radial t\
ires
as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial
construction. Do not install studded tires without first checking local
regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front wheels only can lead to an excessive
difference in road grip capability between the front and rear tires which could
cause loss of vehicle control.

CHASSIS
212
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the
wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, a tire may slip off a wheel or they may
cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they may have been
subjected to rough treatment or high mileage and could fail without warning.
Also, bent wheels which have been straightened may have hidden structural
damage and therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a leaking
wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are
equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width, and
offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect handling, wheel and
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping
ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or
snow chain clearance to the body and chassis.
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
 After driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check that the
wheel nuts are tight.
 If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires, check that the whe\
el
nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
 When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels.
 Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.
 When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus balance weights or
equivalent and a plastic or rubber hammer.
 As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum wheels for damage.
If damaged, replace immediately.
SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis with lift kits, spacers,
springs, etc. It can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS217
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 ABS60Anti±lock brake system
2 DRL NO.25Vehicles sold in Canada
Daytime Running Light System
3 H±LP
LH (LO)10Vehicles sold in Canada
Left±hand headlight (low beam)
4
H±LP
RH(LO)10Vehicles sold in Canada
Right±hand headlight (low beam)
4
A/F HTR25Vehicles sold in California
Air fuel ratio sensor
5 ALT100Charging system
6 CDS NO.230No circuit
7 HTR50Air conditioning system, Seat
heater
8 MAIN40Headlight, Starting system
9 DOME7.5
Theft deterrent system, Clock,
Door courtesy light, Interior light,
Ignition switch light, Vanity light,
Wireless remote control system
10 ECU±B10Cruise control system, Air
conditioning system, Power seat
system
11 RAD NO.120Audio system
12 HAZ10Emergency flashers, Turn signal
lights
13 AM230Starting system
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
14 TEL5Telephone
15
H±LP LH15Vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
Left±hand headlight (high beam)
15 H±LP
LH HI15Vehicles sold in Canada
Left±hand headlight (high beam)
16 ALT±S5Charging system
17
H±LP RH15Vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
Right±hand headlight (high beam)
17 H±LP RH HI15Vehicles sold in Canada
Right±hand headlight (high beam)
18 EFI15Multiport fuel injection
19 HORN10Theft deterrent system
20 RDI FAN30Electronic cooling fan system
21 CDS30Air conditioning system
22 A/C10No circuit
23 S±HTR20Seat heater system
24 HTR10Air conditioning system
25 GAUGE10
Gauges and meters, service reminder
indicators and warning buzzers, Back±up
light, Door courtesy light, Seat heater, Power
window system
26 WIP20Windshield wipers and washer