2001 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
56
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13E018

Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature
when the ignition switch is on. The engine operating
temperature will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your
vehicle and allow the engine to cool.

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
58
TACHOMETER
13E019
The tachometer indicates engine speed in
thousands of rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it
while driving to prevent engine over±revving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes
excessive engine wear and poor fuel economy.
Remember, in most cases the slower the engine speed,
the greater the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red
zone. This may cause severe engine damage.
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
59
13E021

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
60

ªODO/TRIPº knob
This meter displays the odometer and two trip
meters. To change the mode indication, push the
ªODO/TRIPº knob briefly. Each time you push the
knob,
the mode changes in order from the odometer
to trip meter A to trip meter B, then back to the
odometer.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle
has been driven. The twin trip meter records two
different distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel
economy and the other to measure the distance on each
trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter
reading, push the knob and hold it. The same
applies for the B trip meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical
power source is disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR
OR BUZZER COMES
ON ... DO THIS.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
61
(a) If parking brake
is off, stop
immediately and
contact Lexus
dealer.
(b) Fasten seat belt.
(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer
immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check. (f) Add engine oil.
(g) Take vehicle to
Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(m) Add washer fluid.
or
or
and
w069

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
62(n) Low fuel level Fill up tank.
warning light
(o) Automatic headlight Take vehicle to leveling system Lexus dealer.
warning light
(p) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases when the
ignition key is in the ªONº position.
 When the parking brake is applied...
 When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in
the following cases.
The light does not come on even if the parking brake
is applied when the ignition key is in the ªONº position.
CAUTION
If the light does not turn off even after the parking brake
is released while the engine is running, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer. In this case, the brakes may not work properly
and your stopping distance will become longer.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to
an immediate stop.

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.