1999 Lexus ES300 Lights

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
76
CLOCK
14E006
The digital clock indicates the time with the ignition
key at the ºACCº or ºONº position. To reset the
hour, press the ºHº button. To reset the minutes,
press the ºMº button. To adjust the time to the
nearest hour, press the º:00º button.
For example, if the º:00º button is pressed when the time
is between 9:30 ± 9:59 or between 10:01 ± 10:29, the
time will change to 10:00.
With the tail lights on, the brightness of the time
indication will be reduced.
If the electrical power source has been disconnected
from the clock, the time display will automatically be set
to 1:00 (one o'clock).CIGARETTE LIGHTER ANDASHTRAY

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
81
GLOVEBOX
14E0039

1Unlock 2Open 3Lock
To open the glovebox door, pull the lever. To lock the
glovebox door, insert the master key and turn it
clockwise.
With the tail lights on, the glovebox light will come on
when the glovebox door is open.
The trunk lid opener main switch is installed inside the
glovebox. See page 100 for further information.
For the CD automatic changer, see page 232.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or
a sudden stop, always keep the glovebox door closed
while driving.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
123
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
16E157

1Day 2Night
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the rear of
your vehicle in the mirror.
When driving at night, pull the lever toward you to
reduce the glare from the headlights of vehicles
behind you.
Before adjusting the mirror to the position with most
clarity, push the day±night change lever forward
(daylight driving position).
Remember that by reducing glare you also lose some
rear view clarity.

THEFT DETERRENT
194
THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
To deter theft of the vehicle, this system is designed
to give an alarm if any of the doors, trunk or hood is
forcibly unlocked or the battery terminal is
disconnected and then reconnected while the
vehicle is locked.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently and flashes the
headlights, tail lights and other exterior lights.
17E001±1
Setting the system
1. Turn the ignition key to the ºLOCKº position and
remove it.
The indicator light flashes by means of the engine
immobiliser system.
2. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and hood
using an ignition key or wireless remote control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
260
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ºPº. If you need to restart the
engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever
in ºNº. A starter safety device will prevent the starter
from operating if the selector lever is in any drive
position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until
you are ready to drive off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the
instructions in ºBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system in your engine automatically
controls the proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can
start a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the
engine by turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when
the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are
ready to drive. If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up
for a few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle
while the engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in
normal starting.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 314.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a
time. This may overheat the starter and wiringsystems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checkedimmediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
284
Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
31E047
These lights warn that when there is a problem
somewhere in the vehicle skid control system or traction
control system.
If the ºVSCº warning light and ºVSC OFFº indicator light
come on, have your vehicle checked by Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
The lights will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, and will go off after about a few seconds.
If the ºVSCº warning light and ºVSC OFFº indicator light
come on, the vehicle skid control system and traction
control system do not work. However, as conventional
braking operates when applied, there is no problem to
continue your driving.

DRIVING TIPS
305
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 each 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 TIPS
306
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle
differently than when not towing. The three main
causes of vehicle±trailer accidents are driver error,
excessive speed and improper trailer loading. Keep
these in mind when towing: 
Before starting out, check the operation of the lights
and all vehicle±trailer connections. After driving a
short distance, stop and recheck the lights and
connections. Practice turning, stopping and backing
with a trailer in an area away from traffic until you learn
the feel.
 Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your
hand to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move
your hand to the right to move the trailer to the right.
(This procedure is generally opposite to that when
backing without a trailer.) Also, just turn the steering
wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged
turning. Have someone guide you when backing to
reduce the risk of an accident.
 Because stopping distance may be increased,
vehicle±to±vehicle distance should be increased
when towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length
between you and the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden
braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
 Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
 Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could
hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before
making a turn to avoid the need of sudden braking.
 Remember that when making a turn, the trailer