1999 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
245

Use only compact discs labeled as shown. The
player is intended for use with 12 cm (4.7 in.) discs
only.
 Extremely high temperature can keep your compact
disc player from working. On hot days, use air
conditioning to cool the vehicle interior before you
listen to a disc.
 Bumpy roads or other vibrations may make your
compact disc player skip.
 If moisture gets into your compact disc player, you
may not hear any sound even though your compact
disc player appears to be working. Remove the
magazine from the player and wait until it dries.
20E081
Your automatic changer cannot play special shaped
compact discs as shown. Do not use them as the
changer could be damaged.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
246
20L038

Correct
Wrong
Handle compact discs carefully, especially when you
set them into the magazine. Hold them on the edge
and do not bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints on
them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or other disc
damage could cause the player to skip or to repeat a
section of a track. (To see a pin hole, hold the disc up
to the light.)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
247
20L039
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a soft, lint±free
cloth that has been dampened with water. Wipe in a
straight line from the center to the edge of the disc (not
in a circle). Do not use a conventional record cleaner or
anti±static device.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
248
20L040
A new disc may have rough edges on its inner and
outer perimeter. Remove the rough edges by
pressing the side of a ball±point pen or pencil
against the inner and outer edges of the disc as
shown.
If you continue to play a disc with rough edges, flakes will
fall on to the signal side of the disc and cause sound
skipping or other problems.
CAUTION
Compact disc players use invisible laser beams which
could cause hazardous radiation exposure if directed
outside the unit. Be sure to operate the player correctly
as instructed.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
249
Side vents
20E009
The side vents may be opened or closed as shown.

SECTION 3 ± 1
250
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter250
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 253
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 255
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 256
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 259
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 260
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 261
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 274
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 282
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 292
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 292
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER

STARTING AND DRIVING
251
31E001a
The three±way catalytic converters are emission
control devices installed in the exhaust system.
It looks somewhat like a muffler, but its purpose is to
reduce pollutants in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible materials away from
the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
 Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything
that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.

STARTING AND DRIVING
252
NOTICEA large amount of unburned gases flowing intothe three±way catalytic converter may cause it tooverheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this
and other damage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;running out of fuel could cause the engine tomisfire, creating an excessive load on thethree±way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed formore than 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle ismoving.
Keep your engine in good running order.Malfunctions in the engine electrical system,electronic ignition system/distributor ignitionsystem or fuel system could cause anextremely high three±way catalytic converter
temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, take your vehicle in for a check±upas soon as possible. Remember, your Lexusdealer knows your vehicle and its three±waycatalytic converter system best.