1998 Lexus ES300 brake

DRIVING TIPS159
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE YOURVEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy ± just ta\
ke
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific
tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month. Underinflation causes tire wear
and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly,
begin driving ± but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days
this may take a little longer.
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traf fic,
it is better to turn off the engine and start again later. 
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are traveling.
 Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop±and±go driving
wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper
distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce
wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless wear,
overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the
greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down
on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.\
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only
lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

DRIVING TIPS
160

Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A dirty air cleaner,
improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not
adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and contribute to poor fuel
economy. For longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under severe
conditions, see that your vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the separate ºOwner's
Manual Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power
steering and brake booster will not function without the
engine running. Also, the emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is running.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
162
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off
the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf your vehicle will not startº\
.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work, so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the correct starting
procedure instructions in ºHow to start the engineº on page 136 and that you
have sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is equipped with the engine
immobiliser system, also check whether the other keys will start the engine.
If they work, your key may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexu\
s
dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly broken. Call your
Lexus dealer. See ºKeysº on page 7.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the ba\
ttery
is discharged. You may try jump starting. See º(c) Jump startingº for further
instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs adju\
stment or
repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ºForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
166
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you
experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise,
the engine has probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers.
Put the transmission in ºPº and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of steam or
coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged already. Call your
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check the
following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the acceptabl\
e range,
turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has cooled
to normal, continue driving your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your vehicle
overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your Lexus dealer.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY167
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move cautiously off
the road to a safe place ± well away from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the
center divider of a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the
possibility of personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.
 Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº. Block the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if
necessary.
 Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point. Raising
the vehicle with jack improperly positioned will damage
the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and
cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported
by the jack alone.
 Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.
 Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
 When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under
the jack.
 Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and change
the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distan\
ce
can damage a tire beyond repair.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY173
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BETOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Lexus
dealer or a commercial tow truck service. In consultation with them, have
your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Lexus dealer or
commercial tow truck service, tow your vehicle carefully in accordance
with the instructions given in º(d) Emergency towingº on page 17\
6.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while
being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of the
state/provincial and local laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although most
operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a mistake. To
avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following few precautions are
observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the state/provincial\
and
local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. If\
they are damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
 From front
40E018±2
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground clearance for
towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper
and/or underbody of the towed vehicle will be damaged during towing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
176
(d) Emergency towing
40E021
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your Lexus
dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet. Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hard±surfaced roads for a sh\
ort
distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and
brakes must all be in good condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid sudden
starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet and towing
cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing vehicles.\
Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in ºNº. The
ignition key must be in ºACCº (engine off) or ºONº (engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY177
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT AUTOMATICTRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
40E032
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº position to other \
positions
even though the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1 Turn the ignition key to ºLOCKº. Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
2Pry up the cover with a flat±bladed screwdriver or equivalent.
40E023
3Push down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of ºPº position only while pushing the button.
4
Shift into ºNº position.
Insert the cover. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal
depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possi\
ble.