2001 Lexus ES300 check engine

DRIVING TIPS
333
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect
to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations. See your local
recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the
correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer.
Check for correct operation of the turn signals and
stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule
 Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with
a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train
component (engine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of
driving.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more
frequent maintenance due to the additional load. For
this information, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/ Maintenance Scheduleº.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket
after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer
driving.
Pre±towing safety check
 Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded
or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the
vehicle has an abnormal nose±up or nose±down
condition, and check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that
it cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any
federal, state/provincial or local regulations. If they
do not, install required rear view mirrors appropriate
for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
338
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND
MAKE YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel
is easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle
last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to
save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure.
Check the pressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes
fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle.
Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine,
causing greater fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently.
Remember, however, that on cold winter days this
may take a little longer.
 Keep the automatic transmission overdrive
turned on when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel
economy. (For details, see ªAutomatic transmissionº
on page 284.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit
starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the
engine and start again later.
 Avoid engine over±revving . Use a gear position
suitable for the road on which you are traveling.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
343
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOTSTART
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have
followed the correct starting procedure instructions in
ªHow to start the engineº on page 283 and that you have
sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is equipped with the
engine immobiliser system, also check whether the
other keys will start the engine. If they work, your key
may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexus
dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly
broken. Call your Lexus dealer. See ªKeysº on page 7.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior
light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is
cranked, the battery is discharged. You may try jump
starting. See ª(c) Jump startingº for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it
needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer,
Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance.
(See ªForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle or cause a collision when theengine starts. Also the three±way catalyticconverter / warm up three±way catalytic convertermay overheat and become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will
not start ±
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See ª(b) Starting a flooded engineº for further
instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or
repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or
Customer Service Assistance. (See ªForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
348(black) cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted
metallic point (e.g. cylinder head) away from the
battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that
moves when the engine is cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury,
do not lean over the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch anything except the
correct battery terminals or the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting,
run it at about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the
accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse
order: the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which
may now contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent
(for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked.IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if
you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
349
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ªPº and
apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there
is no sign of steam or coolant. Your engine could have
been seriously damaged already. Call your Lexus
dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of
very high pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air
conditioning. Check the following.
 Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
350
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in
the acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your
Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or
your vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon
as possible by your Lexus dealer.IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place ± well away
from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of
a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the pa rking brake and put the transmission
in ªPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away
from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
376
40E023a
3Push down the shift lock override button. You can
shift out of ªPº position only while pushing the
button.
4Shift into ªNº position.
Insert the cover. Start the engine. For your safety,
keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible.

MAINTENANCE
382
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that
should be performed at the intervals specified. It is
recommended that any problem you notice be brought
to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to
time, unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
pressure label. See page 431 for a dditional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 433 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation
Rotate
the tires according to the maintenance schedule.
(For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the ªOwner's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº.) See page 432 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other
fluid after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you
smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the
engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when the
primary latch is released.