2001 Lexus ES300 air conditioning

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
iii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
The contents of this manual are explained briefly on this
page to help you make the best use of the manual. Please
read this page and the rest of the Owner's Manual
carefully to make sure you fully understand the operation
of your vehicle.
This will help you enjoy safe and comfortable driving.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The table of contents and the pictorial index provide easy
reference to the appropriate pages.
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
Operation of basic equipment is briefly explained in an easily
understandable way for quick reference.
SECTION 1 ± INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The vehicle's equipment is divided into the 7 groups listed
below. Use of the equipment is explained, including any points
you should pay particular attention to.
1. Keys and doors
2. Switches
3. Gauges, meters and service reminder indicators
4. Interior equipment
5. Exterior equipment
6. Comfort adjustment
7. Theft deterrent
SECTION 2 ± AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
The features of the vehicle's air conditioning and audio are
explained in detail. Be sure to read this section so that you can
make full use of them.
SECTION 3 ± STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the engine, driving, stopping, operation of features
affecting vehicle handling, hints on vehicle safety and safe
driving techniques are all explained. Please read everything
in this section, and remember ± drive safely!
SECTION 4 ± IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
This section explains what to do in the event of an urgent
situation such as the engine not starting or getting a flat tire,
etc. If such a problem occurs, check the contents of this
Owner's Manual and follow the instructions given.
SECTION 5 ± MAINTENANCE
This section explains the importance of regular maintenance.
Regular and periodic inspection and maintenance of your
Lexus will help to keep your vehicle in its best condition.
SECTION 6 ± SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are provided
here for your reference should you wish to perform inspection
and maintenance yourself.

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
vi
Page
1 Door lock switch and power windowswitches 28, 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Power rear view mirror control switches 132 . . . . . .
3 Side vents 232
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Instrument panel light control 69
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Headlight, turn signal and fog light switch 31 . . . . .
6 Wiper and washer switch 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Ignition switch 279
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Emergency flasher switch 48
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Clock 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
10 Car audio 238
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Security indicator light 12, 211
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Automatic air conditioning controls 217
. . . . . . . . . .
13 Glove box/CD automatic changer 85/256
. . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Automatic transmission selector lever 284
. . . . . . . .
15 Ashtray 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
16 Electronic modulated suspension
control switch 301 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Seat heater switches 49
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Vehicle skid control system off switch
or Traction control system off switch 301, 305 . . . . .
19 Cruise control switch 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Trunk lid opener 105
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Fuel filler door opener 108
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Parking brake 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Hood lock release lever 102
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Auxiliary box 96
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
57
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating
conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop±and±go traffic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine
cooling system as this may cause the engine to
overheat. The thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant to keep thetemperature of the engine within the specifiedoperating range.
Do not continue driving with an overheatedengine. See ªIf your vehicle overheatsº onpage 348.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
63
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver's
seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ªONº or ªSTARTº, the
reminder light and buzzer come on if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt,
the light stays on and the buzzer stops after about 4 to
8 seconds.
(c) SRS Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off after
about 6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags and
seat belt pretensioners are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side airbag sensors,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
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.
 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.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the
engine drive belt.

If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge
the battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however,
until the battery is discharged. Turn off the air
conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the
nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.

SECTION 2 ± 1
216
AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
Air conditioning
Automatic air conditioning controls217
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AIR CONDITIONING
217
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS

The automatic air conditioning automatically
maintains the set temperature.
In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioning
selects the most suitable fan speed, air flow, air intake
and on±off the air conditioning according to the
temperature.
The ignition key must be in the ªONº position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the air conditioning on longer thannecessary when the engine is not running.
20E093

AIR CONDITIONING
218
1 Air intake control button
2 Temperature display (in degrees Fahrenheitor Centigrade)
3 Fan speed display
4 Air flow display
5 Front windshield button
6 Air conditioning on±off button
7 Air flow control button
8 Fan speed control button
9 OFF button
10 Automatic control button
11 Temperature control and outside temperatureknob

Air flow selection

AIR CONDITIONING
219
20E002±1