1998 Lexus ES300 tires

SECTION 3 ± 1
131
STARTING AND DRIVING
Three±way catalytic converter Warm up three±way catalytic converter132
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Engine exhaust caution 133
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Before starting the engine 134
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Ignition switch with steering lock 134
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Parking brake 135
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How to start the engine 136
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Automatic transmission 137
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Cruise control 144
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Electronic modulated suspension 146
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Traction control system 147
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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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STARTING AND DRIVING147
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control the spinning of
the front wheels which may occur when accelerating on slippery road
surfaces, thus assisting driver to control the driving power of the front
wheels.
31E013
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns on. Leave
the system on during ordinary driving so that it can operate when needed.
When traction control is applied, the slip indicator light blinks.
31E014±1
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing the ºTRAC OFFº
switch. The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing
the ºTRAC OFFº switch a second time turns the system back on
and extinguishes the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel vibration or nois\
e
of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the sy\
stem
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the traction control
system will help operate to prevent the wheels from spinning.
Traction control failure warning
If the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the traction control syste\
m.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of the
vehicle and power to the front wheels cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious pace.

STARTING AND DRIVING
150
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMIT INDICATORS
31E016
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes give a warning
noise when the brake pads are worn to the extent that replacement is
required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have the brake \
pads
checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Expensive
rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited to highway driving\
under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as snow tires,
summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow±covered or icy roads. For
driving on snow±covered or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If
installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to \
be
adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use all year
round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance
compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall
short in acceleration and handling performance compared with summer tires
in highway driving.
CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season tires on your vehicle as
this can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's designated
tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the sizes different
from the originals.

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.

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.

DRIVING TIPS
156
Brakes and safety chains
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any
applicable federal and state/provincial regulations.
 A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated. For correct
safety chain procedures, follow the hitch or trailer manufacturer's
recommendations.
CAUTION
 If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1000 lb.), trailer
brakes are required.
 Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system as it will
lower its braking effectiveness.
 Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely
attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage
occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is possible
danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane.
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated. Adjust the tire
pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the
trailer manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and local
regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for
the correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer. Check for correct
operation of the turn signals and stop lights e ach time you hitch up. Direct
splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule
 Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a
vehicle with any new power train component (engine, transmission,
differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. For this information, please refer to the
scheduled maintenance information in the ºOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pre±towing safety check
Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal nose±up or
nose±down condition, and check for improper tongue load, overload, worn
suspension or other possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial
or local regulation. If they do not, install required rear view mirrors\
appropriate for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS159
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE YOURVEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy ± just ta\
ke
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific
tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month. Underinflation causes tire wear
and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly,
begin driving ± but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days
this may take a little longer.
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traf fic,
it is better to turn off the engine and start again later. 
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are traveling.
 Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop±and±go driving
wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper
distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce
wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless wear,
overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the
greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down
on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.\
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only
lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
172
40E012
9. Lower the vehicle completely and tighten the wheel nuts.
Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.
Use only the wheel nut wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use other tools \
or
any additional leverage other than your hands, such as a hammer, pipe or your
foot. Make sure the wrench is securely engaged over the nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat the process unti\
l
all the nuts are tight.
CAUTION
 When lowering the vehicle, make sure all portions of your
body and all other persons around will not be injured as the
vehicle is lowered to the ground.
 As soon as possible after changing wheels, have the wheel
nuts tightened by torque wrench at 103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76
ft´lbf.).
10. After changing the wheel, check the air pressure of the replaced tire.
Stow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to the nearest service
station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and moisture could get into
the valve core and possible cause air leakage. If the cap is missing, put a new
one on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your tires.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are
securely in place in their storage location to reduce the
possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden
braking.