1999 Lexus ES300 ABS

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
62
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add
oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ºChecking
the engine oil levelº on page 378.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which
causes the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves,
this light may come on due to the movement of engine
oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oilwill damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº
on page 50 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See
ºFuel tank capº on page 100 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine or
automatic transmission electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ºc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
(h) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in
your anti±lock brake system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ºONº, and will go off after about a few seconds.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the brake system operates
conventionally but anti±lock brake system is not
assisting brake performance so that the wheels could
lock up during a sudden brake or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely
closed.
(j) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned
on (at the first or second clickstop), it indicates that one
or more of the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one
or more stop lights are burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
148Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a
second, so the airbags must inflate with considerable
force. While the system is designed to reduce serious
injuries, it may also cause minor burns or abrasions and
swellings.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub,
dashboard, front seats) may be hot for several minutes,
but the airbags themselves will not be hot. The airbags
are designed to inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the driver and front
passenger airbags may break the windshield as the
vehicle buckles. In vehicles with a front passenger
airbag, the windshield may also be damaged by
absorbing some of the force of the inflating airbag.

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

STARTING AND DRIVING
285
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the vehicle skid control
system. Even if the vehicle skid control system is
operating, it is not that your vehicle is absolutely
safe. Reckless driving will result in an unexpected
accident. Always keep safety driving in mind. If the
slip indicator light flashes, sounding an alarm,
special care should be taken while driving.
 Only use tires of specified size. The size,
manufacturer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires
should be the same. If you use the tires other than
specified, or different type or size, the vehicle skid
control system may not function correctly. When
replacing the tires or wheels, contact your Lexus
dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
288
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock±up of the wheels
during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces. This assists in providing directional
stability and steering performance of the vehicle
under these circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when
the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the anti±lock brake
system is in the self±check mode, and does not indicate
a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. Pumping the brake pedal makes the stopping
distance longer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
290ºABSº warning light
31E015

STARTING AND DRIVING
291
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ºONº position. After about a few seconds, the
light will go off.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as described above, or
remains on.
 The light comes on while driving.
Even if the anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake
system will still operate conventionally. But when the
ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system warning
light is off), anti±lock brake system is not assisting brake
performance so that the wheels could lock up during a
sudden brake or braking on slippery road surfaces.
Have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake
system. This type of brake system needs
bedding±down of the brake shoes periodically or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are
replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.

DRIVING TIPS
308parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be
avoided, do so only after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your
brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With
the transmission in ºPº position, start the engine.
Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the º2º, ºLº or ºRº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and
slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop
and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
 Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicle±trailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.