2000 Lexus ES300 warning

STARTING AND DRIVING
303
31E081
You can turn off the vehicle skid control system by
pushing the ªVSC OFFº switch. The ªVSC OFFº
indicator comes on. At this time, the traction control
system also turns off. You cannot turn off either one
of them. Pushing the ªVSC OFFº switch a second
time turns the system back on and extinguishes the
ªVSC OFFº indicator light.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always
turns on.Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
31E047

STARTING AND DRIVING
304These lights warn that there is a problem somewhere in
the vehicle skid control system, traction control system
or brake assist system.
The lights will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, and will go off after a few seconds.
If the ªVSCº warning light and ªVSC OFFº indicator light
come
on, the vehicle skid control system, traction control
system and brake assist system do not work. However,
as conventional braking operates when applied, there is
no problem to continue your driving.
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 ªVSCº warning light and/or ªVSC OFFº indicator
light do/does not come on after the ignition is turned
to on. 
The ªVSCº warning light and ªVSC OFFº indicator
light are left on after the ignition is turned to on.
 The ªVSCº warning light and ªVSC OFFº indicator
light comes on while driving without pushing ªVSC
OFFº switch.

STARTING AND DRIVING
306
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work.
However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system
warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist
the brakes. If the engine should quit while you are
driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved vacuum for
one or two stops but no more!

STARTING AND DRIVING
311
ªABSº warning light
31E068
The light comes on with the ignition key turned to ªONº.
If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light goes out after a few
seconds. Thereafter, if either of the systems
malfunctions, the light comes on.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system,
the brake assist system, the traction control system
and/or the vehicle skid control system do/does not
operate, but the brake system still operates
conventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system
does
not operate so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. If the following conditions occur, 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 with the ignition key
turned to ªONº, or remains on.
 The light comes on while driving.
If the light lit during driving goes out and does not come
on again, it is a normal operation.

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312
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.
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist
system judges as an emergency stop and provides
more powerful braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking
will be applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the
engine compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake
pedal. This does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist 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).
For an explanation of this system's warning light, see
ªABS warning lightº on page 65 and ªVehicle skid control
system warning lightsº on page 65.

STARTING AND DRIVING
313
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMITINDICATORS
31E016
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc
brakes give a warning noise when the brake pads
are worn to the extent that replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving,
have the brake pads checked and replaced by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Expensive rotor
damage can result if the pads are not replaced when
needed.TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally
equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited
to highway driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction
performance as snow tires, summer tires are
inadequate for driving on snow±covered or icy roads.
For driving on snow±covered or icy roads, we
recommend using snow tires. If installing snow tires, be
sure to replace all four tires.

MAINTENANCE
377
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g.
while performing periodic services, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn
signal lights, and other lights are working. Check
headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for
changes in steering condition, such as hard steering,
excessive freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the
head restraints move up and down smoothly and that the
locks hold securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles,
retractors and anchors operate properly and smoothly.
Make sure the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or
damaged. Accelerator pedal
Check
the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal
effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster
function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one
side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on
a safe incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the
parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ªParkº mechanism
Check the lock release button of the selector lever for
proper and smooth operation. On a safe incline, check
that your vehicle is held securely with the selector lever
in ªPº position and all brakes released.

CHASSIS
428controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C
± The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.