1999 Lexus ES300 Indicator

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
158
16E022
This SRS has an indicator to inform the driver of
operating problems. If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction of the airbags and/or
seat belt pretensioners. Even if the seat belt
pretensioners should fail, the seat belts will operate
conventionally. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on as described above.
 The light stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front
passenger airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side
airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fail.

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.

THEFT DETERRENT
195
If you lock them with wireless remote control, the turn
signals flash once.
The flashing indicator light will change to stay on when
all the doors, trunk and hood are closed and locked.
3. After 30 seconds, the indicator starts flashing
and the system is set.
Cancelling the system
When
you unlock any door or trunk using an ignition
key or wireless remote control, the system is
cancelled.
If you unlock any door or trunk with wireless remote
control, the turn signals flash twice.
Activating the system
The alarm sounds for 60 seconds if any of the following
are operated:

Unlocking any door or trunk without using an ignition
key or wireless remote control.

Opening the hood forcibly.

Reconnecting the battery.
If any door is unlocked and the ignition key is not in the
ignition switch during the alarm sounding, its door is
automatically locked. To stop the alarm: Use either of the following methods.


Unlock the door or trunk using an ignition key or
wireless remote control.

Turn the ignition switch on.
Testing the system
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system as described above.
The front doors should be locked with the ignition key or
wireless remote control. Be sure to wait until the
indicator light starts flashing.
3. Unlock one of the doors from the inside.
The system should activate the alarm.
4. Unlock any of the doors with a key or the wireless
remote control to cancel the system.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors and
hood.
When testing the hood, also check that the system is
activated when the battery terminal is disconnected and
then reconnected.
If the system does not work properly, have it checked by
your Lexus dealer.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
204
(a) Climate control
SETTING OPERATION ± automatic control
20E003
1. Push the ºAUTOº button.
Air flow quantity, switching of the diffusers, on±off of the
air conditioning and switching of the air intake between
RECIRCULATED AIR and OUTSIDE AIR are
automatically adjusted. The operation status is shown
by each indicator.
When one of the manual control buttons is depressed
while operating in automatic mode, the operation
corresponding to the button depressed is set. Other
conditions continue to be adjusted automatically.
Push the ºOFFº button to turn the air conditioning system
off.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
209
The air intake control button is used to switch the air
intake between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and
RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the
OUTSIDE AIR mode indicator light will come on and the
system will take fresh outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air
intake control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control
button set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is
used
during heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If the engine coolant temperature becomes extremely
high, the RECIRCULATED AIR mode is automatically
selected. This is not a malfunction. When the engine
coolant temperature is lowered, the previous mode
resumes.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ºA/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and
push it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside
temperature is lowered down to around 0 C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry
weather or removing frost or exterior fog on the
windshield, turn the air conditioning off once it is no
longer required. This will improve fuel economy. The air
conditioning can be used for year±round automatic temperature
control including cooling and dehumidifying
operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the ºA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of
the ºA/Cº button blinks even when the ºA/Cº button is
pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.
Displaying the outside temperature ±
When you push the ºOUTSIDE TEMPº knob, the
temperature display shows the outside temperature. To
return to the display of the current set temperature, push
the knob again. The temperature display ranges from
±30 C (±22 F) up to 50C (122F).

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

STARTING AND DRIVING
255
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front
of the windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive
with the windows open and the trunk lid closed.
Have the cause immediately located and
corrected.BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint
height and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to ºONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.

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