1998 Lexus ES300 air suspension

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section.
2.
PICTORIAL INDEX
2Page
1
Door lock switch and power window
switches 14, 23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
2 Headlight, turn signal and fog light switch 17
. . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Power rear view mirror control switch 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Instrument panel light control 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Trunk lid opener 51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Fuel filler door opener 52
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Hood lock release lever 50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Parking brake 135
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Windshield wiper and washer switch 20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Cruise control switch 144
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
11 Traction control system off switch
34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Emergency flasher switch 25
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Clock 39
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. . . . . .
14 Car audio 111
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
15 Automatic air conditioning controls 103
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Ashtray 40
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. . . .
17 Automatic transmission selector lever 137
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Seat heater switches 25
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Electronic modulated suspension
control switch 146 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Glovebox/CD automatic changer 41/122
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
78
16E127
Do not attach a cup holder or any other device on or around the door.
When the side airbag inflates, the cup holder or any other device will
be thrown with great force, or the side airbag may not activate
correctly, resulting in death or serious injury. Likewise, the driver
and front passenger should not hold things in their arms or on their
knees.
 Do not use accessories for the seats which cover the parts where the
side airbags should inflate. Such accessories may prevent the side
airbags from activating correctly, causing death or serious injury.
 Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify, remove, strike
or open any components, such as the steering wheel column cover,
front passenger airbag cover, front seats, airbag sensor assembly or
seat belt assemblies. Doing any of these may cause sudden SRS
operation or disable the system, which could result in death or
serious injury.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or surface of the front seats with
side airbags. Such changes may disable the system or cause the side
airbags to inflate, resulting in death or serious injury. Consult your
Lexus dealer.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious
injuries.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting your
Lexus dealer. Such changes can interfere with proper operation of the
SRS in some cases.
 Installation of electronic items such as a mobile two±way radio,
cassette tape player or compact disc player.
 Modification of the suspension system.
 Modification of the front end structure and side structure of the
passenger compartment.
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow plow,
winches or any other equipment to the front end.
 Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end structure,
console, steering column, steering wheel, dashboard near the front
passenger airbag, front seats or seat belt assembly.

MAINTENANCE
184
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in the ºHOTº or
ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature. See page 206 for
additional information.
Exhaust system
Look for cracks, holes and loose supports. If you notice any change in the
sound of the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in Section 3±1.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED
REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip±o\
ffs that
indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air
conditioning after use is normal.)

Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)

Flat±looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level road

Strange noises related to suspension movement

Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches floors, vehicle pulls to one side when braking

Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer a\
s soon
as possible. It probably needs adjustment or repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It could
result in serious vehicle damage and possibly personal injury.

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.