1998 Lexus ES300 radiator cap

DRIVING TIPS153
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 140.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
 Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has high±speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
high±speed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
 Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will r equire a longer stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake
will not hold the vehicle securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethylene±glycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 219 tells you how to
visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will
be pleased to check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 200 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your
vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure
about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer ± they will be pleased to h\
elp.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or obvious
damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from fre\
ezing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
166
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you
experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise,
the engine has probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers.
Put the transmission in ºPº and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of steam or
coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged already. Call your
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check the
following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the acceptabl\
e range,
turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has cooled
to normal, continue driving your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your vehicle
overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your Lexus dealer.

ENGINE201
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
62E004±3

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the see±through coolant
reservoir when the engine is cool. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the upper and lower lines on the tank. If the level is low, add
ethylene±glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine coolant temperatur\
e.
However, if the level is on or below the lower line, add coolant to bring the
level up to the upper line.
Use only ethylene±glycol type coolant. For information on ethylene±g\
lycol
coolant, see also ºEngine coolant selectionº described below.
If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there\
may be
a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses, radiator cap, drain
cock and water pump. If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap pressure and \
check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot.
Engine coolant selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol antifreeze. In addition to
preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or additives are neither
needed nor recommended.
Read
the antifreeze container for information on freeze protection. Follow t\
he
manufacturer 's directions for how much to mix with water. The total capacity
of the cooling system is given on page 193. We recommend 50% solution be
used for your Lexus, or a sufficient quantity to provide protection to about
±35 C (±31F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.