2001 Lexus ES300 air conditioning

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228
(c) Operating tips
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot
sun, drive for the first few minutes with the windows
open. After the excess heat has blown away, close
the windows.
 Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield
are not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
 If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the
dashboard vents. (See ªSide ventsº.)
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the
windshield. The windshield could fog up because of
the difference in air temperature on the inside and
outside of the windshield.
 Keep the area under the front seats clear to allow air
to circulate throughout the vehicle.
 On cold days, push the fan speed selector to adjust
the fan speed high for a minute to help clear the intake
ducts of snow or moisture. This can reduce the
amount of fogging on the windows.
 When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If
dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the
vehicle after closing the windows, it is recommended
that the air intake control button be left to the
OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan speed control button
be pressed to anywhere except the ªOFFº button. 
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving
in windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that
the air intake control button be temporarily pressed in
to the RECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close
off the outside passage and prevent outside air and
dust from entering the vehicle interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± OFF
For manual operation ±

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229
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards
WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± FLOOR
Air conditioning ± OFF
 For quick heating, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a
few minutes. To keep the windows from fogging,
select OUTSIDE AIR after the vehicle interior has
been warmed.
 Push the ªA/Cº button on for dehumidified heating.
 Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat the vehicle
interior while defrosting or defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± ON
For manual operation ±Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
Air conditioning ± ON
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a
few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± Towards low temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± OFF

AIR CONDITIONING
230For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
Air conditioning ± OFF
Defogging and defrosting
± The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Temperature ± Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right) to heat;
COLD (to the left) to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
When pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button, the
air intake selects OUTSIDE AIR automatically. This is
to clean up the front view more quickly. If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When
the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield
± the difference between the outside and inside
temperatures could make the fogging worse.
± The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Temperature ± Towards high temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD

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231
For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
When pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button, the
air intake selects OUTSIDE AIR automatically. This is
to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, push the air intake control button once again.
Pushing the ª FRONT WINDSHIELDº button turns on the
defroster±linked air conditioning. At this time, the ªA/Cº
button indicator comes on regardless of whether or not
the ªA/Cº button is pushed in. This is to clean up the front
view more quickly.
To turn off the air conditioning alone, push the ªA/Cº
button once again.
When the ªA/Cº button is not pushed in, pushing another
air flow control button turns off the air conditioning.
Pushing the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
returns the air flow mode to the last one used.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the
windshield, choose floor/windshield air flow.

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232
Side vents
20E009
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the side
vents. The side vents may be opened or closed as
shown.(d) Checking and replacing the airconditioning filter
20E207

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233
On some models, the air conditioning filters are
behind the central instrument panel.
The air conditioning filter may clog after long use. The
filter may need to be replaced if the air flow of the air
conditioner
and heater experiences extreme reductions
in operating efficiency, or if the windows become to fog
up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency, inspect and
replace the air conditioning filter according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot heater radiator pipes.
20E208

AIR CONDITIONING
2341. Turn over the floor carpet carefully until the filter
cover appears. Pull open the cover while
compressing the cover clips.
20E209
2. Pull on the lower tab and remove the lower filter
from the filter outlet.
20E210

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235
3. Remove the
upper filter by pulling down on its tab
then pulling it out.
4. Inspect the filter on the surface facing the front of
the vehicle.
If it is the just moderately dusty, it may be cleaned by
blowing compressed air from the reverse surface. Do
not wash or oil the filter.
If it the dirty, it should be replaced.
CAUTION
Make sure the floor mat and carpet are properly placed
on its original place. If the floor mat and carpet
interferes with the movement of the pedals during
driving, it may cause an accident.