1999 Lexus ES300 cluster

SWITCHES
32
12E004±1
For signaling turns, move the lever up or down in the
conventional manner.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
The turn signal is self±cancelling after a turn, but after a
lane change, you may have to cancel it by hand. You can
also signal a lane change by moving the turn signal lever
partway and holding it there.
If the green light in the instrument cluster flashes faster
than normal, it indicates that the front or rear turn signal
bulb has burned out. If this indicator light does not come
on, the fuse or the indicator light itself has probably
failed.

SWITCHES
34

1Interval adjuster 2Washer on
To turn the wipers on, move the lever down until you
reach the desired speed setting.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
There are 3 settings:
ºINTº position: Intermittent operation
ºLOº position: Low speed operation
ºHIº position: High speed operation
Twist the interval adjuster upward to increase the
wiping time interval between sweeps, and
downward to decrease it.
The wiper lever must be in the ºINTº position.
To make the washer squirt, pull the lever toward you
and release it.
Also, the wipers will automatically operate a couple of
times after the washer squirts even with the lever in the
ºOFFº position.
The low washer fluid warning light in the instrument
cluster comes on when the fluid level in the tank
becomes nearly empty. For information on adding
washer fluid, see ºAdding washer fluidº on page 432.
In cold weather, warm the windshield with the defroster
before using the washer. This will help prevent icing,
which could block your vision.NOTICE
Do not operate the wipers if the windshield is dry.
It may scratch the glass.

STARTING AND DRIVING
262
2Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or four±speed
transmission.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off the
overdrive switch, engine braking will not be applied
because the cruise control is not cancelled. For the
operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
277.
3 Shift position indicator
The shift position is also displayed on the
instrument cluster.
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal
position
R: Reverse position
N: Neutral position
D: Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
2: Position for engine braking
L: Position for stronger engine braking than that in
º2º position Correct use of the automatic transmission is
explained in the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº
position

STARTING AND DRIVING
267
(b) Using engine braking
31E009±2
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Turn off the overdrive switch. (This is effective only
when you are driving in the ºDº position.) The ºO/D
OFFº indicator light in the instrument cluster will
come on and the transmission will downshift to the
third gear and engine braking will be obtained.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift the transmission by turning off the
overdrive switch, engine braking will not be applied
because the cruise control is not cancelled. If you
need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 277.
2 Shift into the º2º position. The transmission will
downshift to the second gear when the vehicle
speed is lower than 122 km/h (76 mph) and more
powerful engine braking will be obtained.
3Shift into the ºLº position. The transmission will
downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed
is lower than 55 km/h (34 mph) and maximum
engine braking will be applied.

STARTING AND DRIVING
275
Turning on the system
31L013
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This
turns the system on. The indicator light in the instrument
cluster shows that you can now set your desired cruising
speed. Another push on the switch will turn the system
completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is
also automatically turned off. To use the cruise control
again, push the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep
the main switch off when not using the cruise control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
278
Cruise control failure warning
If the ºCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster
flashes five times and then goes out when using the
cruise control, it means that there is trouble in the cruise
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers with the
control switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is
suited to the driving conditions with the control
switch to provide good riding comfort and stability.
31E044
1For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
2For moderate high speed driving
3For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
4For driving on a bumpy road
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±1

ENGINE
374AAMA specification, if available, for improved drivability
and emission control system.
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines
that contain MTBE (Methyl T ertiary±Butyl
Ether) are available in the market. If you use a
gasoline mixed with MTBE, make certain that it does
not contain more than 15% of MTBE.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing
additive called MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that
contain MMT. If fuels containing MMT are used, your
emission control system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument
cluster may come on. If this happens, contact your
Lexus dealer for service.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you
use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it is
unleaded, has an octane rating no lower than 87 and
does not contain more than 10% ethanol. Lexus
does not recommend the use of gasolines
containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only
gasoline meeting the requirements above and also
containing less than 5% methanol with cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors for methanol.