1998 Lexus ES300 charging

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.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING143
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts between the third\
and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, turn off the overdrive
switch. Be sure to turn the switch on immediately after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine braking and
electrical charging performance, do not use overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with
the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the accelerator pedal. This
can cause the transmission to overheat. Always use the brake pedal or
parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then
you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward
and backward. Do not attempt this procedure if people or
objects are anywhere near the vehicle. During the rocking
operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward or back as
it becomes un±stuck, causing injury or damage to nearby
people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following precautions to prevent
damage to the transmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting the selector lever
or before the transmission is completely shifted to forward or reverse
gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle several times,
consider other ways such as towing.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº
position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from ºPº position even though\
the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For instructions, se\
e ºIf
you cannot shift automatic transmission selector leverº on page 177.

DRIVING TIPS
158

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear from time to time to
prepare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the
steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never
increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer
straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or
brakes, your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
 Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer
and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
 In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive.
 Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 30C [85 F]) when going up a long or
steep gr ade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull your
vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº\
on page 166 of this manual.
 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when
parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in ºPº.
Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so
only after performing the following: 1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in ºPº position, start the engine. Be sure to k\
eep the
brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the º2º, ºLº or ºRº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull or back away
from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION

Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed
limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of
a towing vehicle±trailer combination usually increases as
the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause
loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too fr equently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY165
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make sure the vehi\
cles
are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster battery. Lay a cloth
over the open vents on the booster battery. (This helps reduce the explosion
hazard, personal injuries and burns.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running, st\
art it
and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump starting, run the engine a\
t about
2000 rpm with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate
positive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each battery. Connect the
jumper cables in the exact order (
1
2 3 4) shown in the illustration.
1
Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the positive (+) terminal
of the discharged battery.
2Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
3Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative (±) terminal of
the booster battery.
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black) cable to a
solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point (e.g. cylinder head) away
from the battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that moves when
the engine is cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury, do not
lean over the battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm
for several minutes with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed. 6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the negative
cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may now contain
sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example, lights left
on), you should have it checked.

ENGINE
194
Capacity
Coolant type
9.2 L (9.7 qt., 8.2 lmp.qt.)
Ethylene ± glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
± FUEL
Fuel type
Octane Rating
Only UNLEADED
87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
PK20TR11
BKR6EKPB11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Maintenance type battery Specific gravity reading at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge Slow charge
± Non±maintenance battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off]
5A max.

SECTION 6 ± 4
213
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical components
Specifications214
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking battery condition 219
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. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery recharging precautions 223
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses 224
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the cartridge type fuses 226
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. . . . . . . .
Adding washer fluid 227
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the headlight aim 228
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing light bulbs 229
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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