1998 Lexus ES300 engine

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO113
Using your audio system: some basics
This section describes some of the basic features of the Lexus audio sys\
tem.
Some information may not pertain to your system.
Your audio system works when the ignition key is in the ºACCº or ºONº
position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the car audio
on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
(a) Turning the system on and off
20E012±1
Push this knob to turn the audio system on and off. Turn this knob to
adjust the volume.
The system turns on in the last mode used.
20E013±1
Push ºAMº, ºFM1/2º, ºTAPEº or ºCDº to turn on that mode. The
selected mode turns on directly.
Push these buttons if you want to switch from one mode to another.
If the tape or disc is not set, the cassette player or compact disc play\
er does
not turn on.
You can turn off the cassette player by ejecting the cassette tape. If the audio
system was previously off, then the entire audio system will be turned off
when you eject the cassette tape. If another function was previously playin\
g,
it will come on again.
20E014±1
In the ºTAPEº or ºCDº mode, the applicable functions are shown in the

SECTION 3 ± 1
131
STARTING AND DRIVING
Three±way catalytic converter Warm up three±way catalytic converter132
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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.

With the brake pedal depressed, shift while holding
the lock release button in. (The ignition switch must
be in the ºONº position)
Shift while holding the lock release button in.
STARTING AND DRIVING137
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to minimize the
possibility of incorrect operation. This means you can only shift out of
ºPº position when the brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition switch
in ºONº position and the lock release button pressed in). ( )
31E005
1
Lock release button
2Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or four±speed transmission.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the
transmission by t urning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will not
be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation\
to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 146.
3 Shift position indicator
The shift position is also displayed on the instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
2: Position for engine braking
L: Position for stronger engine braking than that in º2º position