1998 Lexus ES300 oil pressure

4.
For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section.
PICTORIAL INDEX
4Page
1
Engine coolant temperature gauge 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 29
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
3 Turn signal indicator light 19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Automatic transmission indicator lights 137
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Overdrive off indicator light 139
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Odometer and trip meter 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 ODO/TRIP knob 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fuel gauge 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
9 Cruise control indicator light 144
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Rear light failure warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Seat belt reminder light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Brake system warning light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
13 Discharge warning light
32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Low oil pressure warning light 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Slip indicator light 147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Headlight indicator light 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Headlight high beam indicator light 18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Open door warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Low engine oil level warning light 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Malfunction indicator lamp 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Anti±lock brake system warning light 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 SRS warning light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Low washer fluid warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Low fuel level warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.
For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section.
PICTORIAL INDEX
6Page
1
Engine coolant temperature gauge 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 29
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
3 Turn signal indicator light 19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Automatic transmission indicator lights 137
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Overdrive off indicator light 139
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Odometer and trip meter 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 ODO/TRIP knob 30
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Fuel gauge 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
9 Cruise control indicator light 144
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Rear light failure warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Seat belt reminder light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Brake system warning light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
13 Discharge warning light
32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Low oil pressure warning light 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Slip indicator light 147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Tail light indicator light 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Headlight high beam indicator light 18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Open door warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Low engine oil level warning light 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Malfunction indicator lamp 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Anti±lock brake system warning light 33
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 SRS warning light 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Low washer fluid warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Low fuel level warning light 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS33
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair shop
for assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or it may c\
ome
on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for concern if it then go\
es out
when the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It is not designed
to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be checked using the oil\
level
dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on ± even for one block\
.
It may ruin the engine.
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil as soon as possible.
(For instructions, see ºChecking the engine oil levelº on page 19\
8.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes the vehicle to
substantially sway or on curves, this light may come on due to the movement
of engine oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº on page 28 for
instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ºFuel tank capº on page
52 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine or automatic transmission
electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case c., have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(h) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your anti±lock \
brake
system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle checked by \
your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº, and w\
ill go
off after about a few seconds.

ENGINE197
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are
as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders. A thin film of
oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston moves downwards in the
cylinder. High negative pressure generated when the vehicle is
decelerating sucks some of this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil
as well as some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned b\
y the
high temperature combustion gases during the combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves. Some of this\
oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber together with the intake air and i\
s
burned along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve stems. The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and
frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings and cyli\
nder
walls have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level
accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and consumes \
a
normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show any drop in the oil level at
all, even after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This is because the oil \
is
gradually becoming diluted with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the
oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear that oil is excessively
consumed after driving at high speeds.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle maintenance is to keep t\
he
engine oil at the optimum level so that oil function will not be impaired.
Therefore, it is essential that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus
recommends that the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine
trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see ºChecking the engine\
oil
levelº on page 198.