2001 Lexus ES300 warning light

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
149
16E229

1Front seat belt pretensioner assemblies
2SRS warning light
3Airbag sensor assembly
4Front airbag sensors
The front seat belt pretensioner system mainly consists
of the above components, and their locations are shown
in the illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the
airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly
consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are activated, an
operating noise may be heard and a small amount of
smoke±like gas may be released. This gas is harmless
and does not indicate that a fire is occurring.
Once the front seat belt pretensioners have been
activated, the seat belt retractors remain locked.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
156
CAUTION
SRS side airbags inflate with considerable force. To
avoid potential death or serious injury when they inflate,
the driver and front passenger must:
 Wear their seat belts properly.
 Remain properly seated with their back upright and
against the seat at all times.
16E179
The indicator 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
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.
(For details, see ªService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 60 for instructions.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
162
16E232

1Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger (airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensors
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5SRS warning light
6Airbag sensor assembly
7Front airbag sensors
The SRS airbag system consists mainly of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor
and airbag sensor.

STARTING AND DRIVING
301
Cruise control failure warning
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster
flashes five times and then goes out when using the
cruise control, it means that there is trouble in the cruise
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC MODULATED SUSPENSION
This electronic modulated suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers with the
control switch. Select one of the 4 modes which is
suited to the driving conditions with the control
switch to provide good riding comfort and stability.
31E088
1For sporty type driving such as on winding
mountain roads and high speed driving
2For moderate high speed driving
3For ordinary driving such as in the city traffic
4For driving on a bumpy road
5Soft
6Hard
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps
control the spinning of the front wheels which may
occur when accelerating on slippery road surfaces,
thus assisting driver to control the driving power of
the front wheels.

STARTING AND DRIVING
303
You can turn off the traction control system by
pushing the ªTRAC OFFº switch. The ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing
the ªTRAC OFFº switch a second time turns the
system back on and extinguishes the ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light.
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a
few seconds when the engine is started or just after the
vehicle is started. This means that the traction control
system is in the self
±check mode, and does not indicate
malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, you may
feel vibration or noise of your vehicle, caused by
operation of the brakes. This indicates the system is
functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc.
the traction control system will help operate to prevent
the wheels from spinning.
Traction control failure warning
The ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light warns that
when there is a problem somewhere in the traction
control system.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, and will go off after a few seconds.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
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 after the ignition is turned to
on.
 The light is left on after the ignition is turned to on.
 The light comes on while driving without pushing
ªTRAC OFFº switch.
 The light flashes.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the front wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which will cause the vehicle
to lose traction. In situations where the road surface is
covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted
with snow tires or tire chains. Always drive at an
appropriate and cautious pace.

STARTING AND DRIVING
305
31E081
You can turn off the vehicle skid control system by
pushing the ªVSC OFFº switch. The ªVSC OFFº
indicator comes on. At this time, the traction control
system also turns off. You cannot turn off either one
of them. Pushing the ªVSC OFFº switch a second
time turns the system back on and extinguishes the
ªVSC OFFº indicator light.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always
turns on.Vehicle skid control system failure
warning
31E047

STARTING AND DRIVING
306These lights warn that there is a problem somewhere in
the vehicle skid control system, traction control system
or brake assist system.
The lights will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ªONº, and will go off after a few seconds.
If the ªVSCº warning light and ªVSC OFFº indicator light
come
on, the vehicle skid control system, traction control
system and brake assist system do not work. However,
as conventional braking operates when applied, there is
no problem to continue your driving.
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 ªVSCº warning light and/or ªVSC OFFº indicator
light do/does not come on after the ignition is turned
to on. 
The ªVSCº warning light and ªVSC OFFº indicator
light are left on after the ignition is turned to on.
 The ªVSCº warning light and ªVSC OFFº indicator
light come on while driving without pushing ªVSC
OFFº switch.

STARTING AND DRIVING
308
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work.
However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system
warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist
the brakes. If the engine should quit while you are
driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved vacuum for
one or two stops but no more!