1998 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

SWITCHES25
EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH
12E014±1
To turn on the emergency flashers, push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. The emergency flashers will work with
the engine running or off and with or without the ignition key.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn other drivers if you must stop your
vehicle where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible.
The turn signal light switch will not work when the emergency flashers are in
operation.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the switch on
longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
12E015±2

1For driver's seat 2For front passenger's seat
To turn on the seat heater, push the switch.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat heater
because it may make them feel too hot or cause burns at low
temperatures (erythema, varicella). Use extra caution for;
 Baby, small child, elderly person, sick person or
handicapped person
 Persons who have delicate skin
 Persons who are exhausted
Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which induce sleep
(sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.)
To prevent the seat overheating, do not use the seat heater with a
blanket, cushion, or other insulating objects which cover the seat.

SWITCHES
26
NOTICE
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp
objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
 When cleaning the seats, do not use organic substances (paint thinner,
benzine, alcohol, gasoline, etc.). They may damage the heater and seat
surface.
 To prevent the battery from being discharging, turn the switches on
when the engine is running.

SECTION 1 ± 3
27
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Gauges, meters and service reminder
indicators
Fuel gauge28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 29
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . .
Odometer and trip meter 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel light control 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
28
FUEL GAUGE
13E001

Low fuel level warning light
The gauge is displayed when the ignition switch is on and indicates the
approximate quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
This fuel gauge has a non±return type needle which remains at the last
indicated position when the ignition switch is turned off.
If the fuel level approaches ºEº or the low fuel level warning light\
comes on,
fill the fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank, the fuel g\
auge
needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier
than usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Fill the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the indicator lamp
does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
See the inner back cover for fuel capacity and recommended fuel selectio\
n.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13E002±1

Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when the ignition
switch is on. The engine operating temperature will vary with changes in
weather and engine load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle and allow the
engine to cool.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS29
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in stop±and±go traf\
fic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling system as this may
cause the engine to overheat. The thermostat is designed to control the
flow of coolant to keep the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an overheated engine. See ºIf your
vehicle overheatsº on page 166.
TACHOMETER
13E003
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm (revolutions
per minute). Use it while driving to prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive engine wear and
poor fuel economy. Remember, in most cases the slower the engine speed, the
greater the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This may cause
severe engine damage.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
30
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
13E004

ºODO/TRIPº knob
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To change the
mode indication, push the ºODO/TRIPº knob briefly. Each time you
push the knob, the mode changes in order from the odometer to trip meter
A to trip meter B, then back to the odometer, etc.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has been driven. The
twin trip meter records two different distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel economy and the\
other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter reading, push the knob
and hold it. The same applies for the B trip meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power source is\
disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR
OR BUZZER COMES
ON ... DO THIS.
(a)
If parking brake is off, stop and
check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer
immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check.
or

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS31
(f) Add engine oil.
(g) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Add washer fluid.
(m) Low fuel level Fill up tank.
warning light
(n) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released. The\
light
should go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow down and p\
ull
off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Remember that stopping
distance and pedal effort may be increased. There may be a problem
somewhere in the brake system. Check the fluid level of the see±through
reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not caused the warning light to come on\
,
check to see that the parking brake is fully released.
If the brake fluid level is low ...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.
 If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive cautiously to your
nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
 If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for repairs. (\
For
towing information, see page 173.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the brake
fluid level is low.
or

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.