1998 Lexus ES300 parking brake

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
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . .
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
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
30
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
13E004

ºODO/TRIPº knob
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To change the
mode indication, push the ºODO/TRIPº knob briefly. Each time you
push the knob, the mode changes in order from the odometer to trip meter
A to trip meter B, then back to the odometer, etc.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has been driven. The
twin trip meter records two different distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel economy and the\
other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter reading, push the knob
and hold it. The same applies for the B trip meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power source is\
disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR
OR BUZZER COMES
ON ... DO THIS.
(a)
If parking brake is off, stop and
check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer
immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check.
or

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS31
(f) Add engine oil.
(g) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Add washer fluid.
(m) Low fuel level Fill up tank.
warning light
(n) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released. The\
light
should go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow down and p\
ull
off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Remember that stopping
distance and pedal effort may be increased. There may be a problem
somewhere in the brake system. Check the fluid level of the see±through
reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not caused the warning light to come on\
,
check to see that the parking brake is fully released.
If the brake fluid level is low ...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.
 If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive cautiously to your
nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
 If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for repairs. (\
For
towing information, see page 173.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the brake
fluid level is low.
or

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS35
How to check all the service reminder indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It goes off when
you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It goes off after 6
seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.
or

or

The following service reminder indicators go off after a few seconds.
or

5. Turn the ignition key to ºSTARTº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.

If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not function, e\
ither
the bulb is burned out or circuit is in need of repair. Have it checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT CONTROL
13E005
To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights, turn the knob.

SECTION 3 ± 1
131
STARTING AND DRIVING
Three±way catalytic converter Warm up three±way catalytic converter132
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 133
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 134
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 134
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
Parking brake 135
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 136
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 137
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 144
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension 146
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . .
Traction control system 147
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 148
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Brake pad wear limit indicators 150
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Types of tires 150
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