1998 Lexus ES300 ignition

BE003±4
Note: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmissio\
n by turning off the overdrive switch, engine braking will
not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operat\
ion to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 146.
Parking, engine starting and key
removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine braking
Position for stronger engine braking
than that in º2º position
With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while holding the lock release button
in. (The ignition switch must be in
ºONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button
Overdrive switch
ºOFFº position
(Shifting into
overdrive not
possible)
ºO/D OFFº indicator
light on the instrument
cluster
For selecting either a three±speed or
four±speed transmission
ºONº position
(Shifting into
overdrive possible)
Lock release button (To prevent misshifting)
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
3
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BE004
BE005
Parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel
lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
High beam
Headlight flasher
BE004
BE004
Parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel
lights turn on.
Headlights turn of at full
intensity.
Automatic light control
Parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel
lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
4
4. HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR U.S.A.)

HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR CANADA)
With the ignition OFF
With the engine started and parking brake released

KEYS AND DOORS9
11L023-2
Do not bend the key grip.
 Do not cover the key grip with any material that cuts off
electromagnetic waves.
 Do not knock the key hard against other objects.
 Do not leave the key exposed to high temperatures for a long period,
such as on the dashboard and hood under the direct sunlight.
 Do not put the key in water or wash it in an ultrasonic washer.
 Do not use the key with electromagnetic materials.
ENGINE IMMOBILISER SYSTEM
11L024±2
The engine immobiliser system is a theft prevention system. When you
insert the key in the ignition switch, the transponder chip in the key's head
transmits an electronic code to the vehicle. The engine will start, only
when the electronic code in the chip corresponds to the r egistered ID code
for the vehicle.
The system is automatically set when the key is removed from the ignition
switch. At this time, the security indicator light at the bottom of the instrument
cluster flashes. When you insert the key in the ignition switch, the security
indicator light goes out and the system is canceled automatically, which
enables the engine to start.
For your Lexus dealer to make you a new key with built±in transponder ch\
ip,
your dealer will need your key number and master key. However, there is a
limit to the number of additional keys your Lexus dealer can make for yo\
u.

KEYS AND DOORS11
You can use up to 4 wireless remote control transmitters for the same vehic\
le.
Contact your Lexus dealer for detailed information.
The wireless remote control transmitter is an electronic component.
Observe the following instructions in order not to cause damage on the
transmitter.

Do not leave the transmitter on the places where the temperature becomes
high such as on the dashboard.
 Do not disassemble it.
 Avoid knocking it hard against other objects or dropping it.
 Avoid putting it in water.
Locking/Unlocking the doors
When you push the ºLOCKº button on the transmitter, all the doors can
be locked from outside the vehicle.
At this time, the parking, tail, side marker and license plate lights flas\
h 1 time
sounding 1 beep. However, when you push the ºLOCKº button with any door
not closed securely, the buzzer sounds for 10 seconds or until all the doors are
closed securely. If the key is in the ignition switch or any of the doors are open,
locking cannot be done.
Make sure all the doors are locked when you leave the vehicle.
When you push the ºUNLOCKº button, the driver's door is unlocked.
Pushing that button once again within 3 seconds from the first push, all
other doors also unlock. At this time, 2 beeps sound. Together with the activation of unlocking, the
parking, tail, side marker and license plate lights flash 2 times. If the key i\
s
in the ignition switch, unlocking cannot be done.
You have 30 seconds to open a door after using the wireless remote unlock
feature. If a door is not opened by then, all the doors will be automat\
ically
locked again.
If the ºLOCKº or ºUNLOCKº switch is kept pressed in, the loc\
king or
unlocking operation is not repeated. Release the button and then push again.11E001±2

1
Off 2Louder
When you push the remote control switch, the vehicle sounds one beep when
the doors are locked by remote control, and two beeps when the doors are
unlocked.
You can adjust the beep loudness with the knob under the instrument panel.
Turning the knob clockwise increases the volume and turning it
counterclockwise until it stops turns the buzzer off.

KEYS AND DOORS
12
Unlocking the trunk lid
11E002±1
When you keep the button pushed for about 1 second, you can unlock the
trunk lid. One beep sounds.
If the key is in the ignition switch, the trunk lid cannot be unlocked w\
ith the
transmitter.
Sounding an alarm
11E003±1
When you push the ºPANICº button, an alarm sounds to deter any
person trying to break into or damage your vehicle.
This feature works when the key is removed from the ignition switch.
If you want to stop the alarm, push the ºPANICº or ºUNLOCKº button.

KEYS AND DOORS
14
Locking with inside lock button
11E004

1Lock 2Unlock
Push in the lock button to lock and unlock the door.
When locked, the door cannot be opened with either the outside or inside door\
handle.
Closing the door with the lock button pushed in will also lock the door. Be
careful not to lock your keys in the vehicle. The door will not lock if the ke\
y
is left in the ignition switch when closing the front doors.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the doors are closed and locked,
especially when small children are in the vehicle. Along with
the proper use of seat belts, locking the doors helps prevent the
driver and passengers from being thrown out from the vehicle
during an accident. It also helps prevent the doors from being
opened unintentionally.
Locking with power door lock switch
11E005±1

1 Lock 2Unlock
To lock all the doors simultaneously, push the power door lock switch on
the front side. Pushing on the rear side will unlock them.
The same switch is also equipped on the front passenger's side.

SWITCHES17
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
12E001±1
To turn the lights on, twist the knob on the end of the lever.
FIRST CLICKSTOP: Only the parking, tail, license plate, side marker and
instrument panel lights turn on.
SECOND CLICKSTOP: Headlights also turn on.
THIRD CLICKSTOP (ºAUTOº): The headlights and all other lights
automatically turn on depending on the darkness of the surroundings.
Vehicles sold in U.S.A.: When the headlights are on, the headlight indicator
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Vehicles sold in Canada: When the tail lights are on, the tail light indicator
lights up in the instrument cluster. Manually twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the headlights
if they are needed immediately when entering a dark tunnel, parking
structure, etc.
When the headlight switch is turned to the first or second clickstop, the
brightness of the instrument cluster will be reduced slightly unless the
instrument panel light control knob is turned fully on.
12E002
The automatic light control sensor is on top of the driver's side instrument
panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel, and/or do not affix anything
on the windshield to block this sensor.
The lights automatically turn off when the driver's door is opened with the
ignition
key turned to the ºACCº or ºLOCKº position. To turn them on again,
turn the ignition key to the ºONº position, or turn the headlight switc\
h off and
then twist the knob until the first or second clickstop. If you are going to park
for over one week, make sure the headlight switch is off.

SWITCHES
18
Daytime Running Light System (Canada only)
The headlights turn on when the parking brake is released with the engine
started,
even with the light switch in the ºOFFº position. They will not g\
o off
until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel lights, twist th\
e knob
to the first clickstop.
Under the daytime running light system, the headlights turn on at reduced
intensity. Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn to full intensity for
driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ºAUTOº), the headlights will
automatically adjust to full intensity and/or turn on the other lights depending
on the darkness of the surroundings. Likewise, as the surroundings become\
brighter, the headlights will turn to reduced intensity, ultimately turning off
the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the lights on
longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
HEADLIGHT DIMMER AND TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
12E003±1
For high beam, push the lever forward. Pull it back for low beam. For
the headlight flasher, pull it further back.
A blue light in the instrument cluster indicates high beam or headlight f\
lasher
is on.
The headlight flasher works even when the headlight switch is off.