1998 Lexus ES300 luggage

SECTION 1 ± 4
36
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Interior equipment
Vanity mirrors37
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Interior light 38
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Personal light 38
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Ignition switch light 39
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Clock 39
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Cigarette lighter and ashtray 40
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Power outlet 41
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Glovebox 41
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Cup holder 41
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Overhead console box 43
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Auxiliary box 46
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Floor mat 47
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Luggage stowage precautions 48
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INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
48
LUGGAGE STOWAGE PRECAUTIONS
When stowing luggage or cargo in the vehicle, observe the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when at all possible. Be sure all items are
secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far forward\
as
possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
CAUTION
Do not place anything on the filler panel behind the rear
seatback. Such items may be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.
 Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument
panel. They may interfere with the driver's field of view.
Or they may move during sharp vehicle acceleration or
turning, and impair the driver's control of the vehicle. In
an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle capacity weight specified on
the tire pressure label.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT51
TRUNK LID
15E015
To unlock the trunk lid, insert the master key and turn it clockwise.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press down on it. After closing the \
trunk
lid, try pulling it up to make sure it is securely closed.
The trunk lid can be unlocked using the wireless remote control transmit\
ter.
For details, see page 12.
CAUTION
Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. This not only keeps
the luggage from being thrown out, but also prevents exhaust
gases from entering the vehicle.
Trunk lid opener
15E004
To open the trunk lid while sitting in the driver's seat, push the switch with
the main switch on.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT57
FRONT SEATS
Front seat precautions
CAUTION
The SRS side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
Do not lean over the front door when the vehicle is in use.
The side airbag inflates with considerable speed and force;
you may be killed or severely injured.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or the surface of the 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.
 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.
Seat adjustment precautions
Adjust the driver's seat so that the foot pedals, steering wheel and instrument
panel controls are within easy reach of the driver.
CAUTION
 Do not adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving as the seat
may unexpectedly move and cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
 Be careful not to hit the seat against a passenger, luggage or
the rear seat.
NOTICE
Do not operate the control switch in more than one dimension at a time.
It may cause electrical overload.

Tongue load
Total trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%
DRIVING TIPS
155


Certification label
CAUTION
 The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load)
must not exceed 907 kg (2000 lb.). Exceeding this weight is
dangerous.
 The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross V ehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification
Label. The gross vehicle weight is the sum weight of the
unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and
trailer tongue load. It also includes the weight of any
special equipment installed on your vehicle.
 The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from
distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must
not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on
the Certification Label.
32L002

Total trailer weight
Tongue load
 The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer weight, not exceeding the maximum
of 90 kg (200 lb.).
 Never l oad the trailer with more weight in the back than in the fr ont.
About 60 % of the trailer load should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40 % in the rear.
Hitches
 If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be consul\
ted.
 Use only a hitch which is recommended by the hitch manufacturer and
conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
 Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer. Lubricate the
hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
 Lexus recommends removing the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing
a trailer to reduce the possibility of additional damage caused by the hi\
tch
if your vehicle is struck from behind. After removing the hitch, seal a\
ny
mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of pollutants such as
exhaust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
 Install the trailer hitch using only the position recommended by your
Lexus dealer. Do not install the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may
cause body damage.
 Do not use axle±mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.

CHASSIS207
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be damaged.
CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE
63E004±1
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the vehicle capacity
weight are given on the label.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at least once a mon\
th.
And don't forget the spare! The air pressure for the spare tire should be 220
kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi). Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire life and
make your vehicle less safe to drive. Low tire pressure results in excessive wear, poor handling, reduced fuel
economy,
and the possibility of blowouts from overheated tires. Also, low tire
pressure can cause poor sealing of the tire bead. If the tire pressure is
excessively low, there is the possibility of wheel deformation and/or tire
separation. So keep your tire pressures at the proper level. If a tire needs
frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride, handling problems, excessive wear
at the center of the tire tread, and a greater possibility of tire damage \
from road
hazards.
The following instructions for checking tire pressure should be observed:
 The pressure should be checked only when the tires are cold. If your
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you will get an accurate cold tire pressure
reading.
 Always use a tire pressure gauge. The appearance of the tire can be
misleading. Besides, tire pressures that are even just a few pounds off can
degrade handling and ride.
 Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is normal for the
tire pressure to be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The passengers and luggage
weight should be located so that the vehicle is balanced.
 Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps. Without the valve caps, dirt or
moisture could get into the valve core and cause air leakage. If the ca\
ps
have been lost, have new ones put on as soon as possible.

BODY233
SPECIFICATIONS
± DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTOverall length
Overall width
Overall height
Wheelbase
Tread ± Front ± Rear
Vehicle capacity weight (occupants + luggage)
4830 mm (190.2 in.)
1790 mm (70.5 in.)
1395 mm (54.9 in.)*
2670 mm (105.1 in.)
1545 mm (60.8 in.)
1520 mm (59.8 in.)
410 kg (900 lb.)
*: Unladen vehicle
± FUEL TANK
Capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp.gal.)