2001 Lexus ES300 Page 31

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
64
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the
road to a safe place and stop the engine immediately.
Call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is
idling or it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There
is no cause for concern if it then goes out when the
engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely
low. It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the
oil level must be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on± even for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(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 ªChecking
the engine oil levelº on page 410.)
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 ªFuel gaugeº on page 54 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ªFuel tank capº on page 108 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 ªc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
86
14E061
 1Unlock 2Open 3Lock
To open the glove box door, pull the lever. To lock
the glove box door, insert the master key and turn it
clockwise.
With the tail lights on, the glove box light will come on
when the glove box door is open.
The trunk lid opener main switch is installed inside the
glove box. See page 106 for further information.
For the CD automatic changer, see page 256.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or
a sudden stop, always keep the glove box door closed
while driving.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
104
TRUNK LID
15E024
To unlock the trunk lid, insert the master key and
turn it clockwise.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press down on it. After
closing the trunk lid, try pulling it up to make sure it is
securely closed.
The trunk lid can be unlocked using the wireless remote
control key. For details, see page 19.
CAUTION
Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. This not only
keeps the luggage from being thrown out, but also
prevents exhaust gases from entering the vehicle.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
125


1Unlock 2Lock 3Open
Pull down the center armrest in the rear seat. Pull
the lever of the armrest door and open the armrest
door.
Access to the trunk can be prevented by locking the
armrest door with the master key.
See ªLuggage stowage precautionsº on page 99 for
precautions to observe in loading luggage.
CAUTION
Be sure to close the door when the trunk storage
extension is not in use. Luggage or cargo in the trunk
may be thrown into the passenger compartment in a
sudden stop or crash resulting in injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
130
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16E197
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the side of
your vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or distance of any
object seen in the outside rear view mirror on the
passenger's side. It is a convex mirror with a curved
surface. Any object seen in a convex mirror will look
smaller and farther away than if seen in a normal flat
mirror.
When the inside rear view mirror darkens in ªAUTOº
mode, the driver's side outside rear view mirror also
darken to reduce the reflection of the headlights of the
following vehicle. For details, see ªInside rear view
mirrorº on page 134. When you push the rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch, the heater panels in the outside
rear view mirrors will quickly clear the mirror surface.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
136
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in
the vehicle be properly restrained at all times with the
seat belts provided. Failure to do so could increase the
chance of injury and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the
child until the child becomes large enough to properly
wear the vehicle's seat belts. See ªChild restraintº on
page 175 for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child
should sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using
the vehicle's seat belt. According to accident statistics,
the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat than in the front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should
be worn properly. Do not let the child sit on your lap. It
does not provide sufficient restraint. If an accident
occurs and the seat belts are not worn properly, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag may cause death or
serious injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear
or front seats. An unrestrained child could suf fer serious
injury or death during emergency braking or a collision.
Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a
seat belt. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap
belt should be worn securely
and as low as possible over the hips and not on the waist.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
138
CAUTION
Persons should ride in their seats properly wearing
their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer serious
bodily injury or death in the event of sudden braking or
a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe the following:
Use the belt for only one person at a time. Do not use
a single belt for two or more people ± even children.
 Avoid reclining the seatbacks too much. The seat
belts provide maximum protection when the
seatbacks are in the upright position. (See
ªAdjusting seatback angleº on page 122.)
 Be careful not to damage the belt webbing or
hardware. Take care that they do not get caught or
pinched in the seat or doors.
 Inspect the belt system periodically. Check for cuts,
fraying, and loose parts. Damaged parts should be
replaced. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
 Keep the belts clean and dry. If they need cleaning,
use a mild soap solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive cleaners ± they may
severely weaken the belts. (See ªCleaning the
interiorº on page 482 for instructions.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
140
Fastening front and rear seat belts
16E014a
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and
well back in the seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out
of the retractor and insert the tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size
and the seat position.
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly.
A slow, easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you
can move around freely.When a passenger's shoulder belt is completely
extended and is then retracted even slightly, the belt is
locked in that position and cannot be extended. This
feature is used to hold the child restraint system
securely.
(For details, see ªChild restraintº on page 175.)
To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then pull
the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly
pull the belt and release it. You will then be able to
smoothly pull the belt out of the retractor.