2001 Lexus ES300 Engine

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.

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
82
14E060
Front cigarette lighter and ashtray
To use the cigarette lighter and ashtray, first push
against the ashtray cover. Then when the ashtray
opens out, press in the cigarette lighter. When it
becomes heated, it automatically pops out ready for
use.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed in.
If the engine is not running, the ignition key must be in
the ªACCº position.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish
it in the ashtray to prevent other cigarette butts from
catching fire. After using the ashtray, push it back in
completely.
To remove the ashtray, just pull it up.
Use a Lexus genuine cigarette lighter or equivalent for
replacement.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
85
The power outlet is designed for power supply for
car accessories.
The ignition key must be in the ªACCº or ªONº position
for the power outlet to be used.
NOTICE
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not
use the electricity over the total vehiclecapacity of 12V/120W.
To prevent the battery from being discharged,do not use the power outlet longer thannecessary when the engine is not running.
Close the power outlet lid when the poweroutlet is not in use. Inserting a foreign objectother than the appropriate plug that fits theoutlet, or allowing any liquid into the outlet maycause electrical failure or short circuits.
GLOVE BOX

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
109
15E006
1. To open the fuel filler door, push the switch.
When refueling, turn off the engine.

THEFT DETERRENT
211
THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
To deter theft of the vehicle, this system is designed
to give an alarm if any of the doors, trunk or hood is
forcibly unlocked or the battery terminal is
disconnected and then reconnected while the
vehicle is locked.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently and flashes the
headlights, tail lights and other exterior lights.
17E003
Setting the system
1. Turn the ignition key to the ªLOCKº position and
remove it.
The indicator light flashes by means of the engine
immobiliser system.
2. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and hood
using an ignition key or wireless remote control.

AIR CONDITIONING
217
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS

The automatic air conditioning automatically
maintains the set temperature.
In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioning
selects the most suitable fan speed, air flow, air intake
and on±off the air conditioning according to the
temperature.
The ignition key must be in the ªONº position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the air conditioning on longer thannecessary when the engine is not running.
20E093

AIR CONDITIONING
225
The air intake control button is used to switch the air
intake between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and
RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the
OUTSIDE AIR mode indicator light will come on and the
system will take fresh outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air
intake control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control
button set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is
used
during heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
When the air conditioning is ON, if the engine coolant
temperature becomes extremely high, the
RECIRCULATED AIR mode is automatically selected.
This is not a malfunction. When the engine coolant
temperature is lowered, the previous mode resumes.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ªA/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and
push it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside
temperature is lowered down to around 0 C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry
weather or removing frost or exterior fog on the
windshield, turn the air conditioning off once it is no
longer required. This will improve fuel economy. The air
conditioning can be used for year±round automatic temperature
control including cooling and dehumidifying
operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the ªA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of
the ªA/Cº button blinks even when the ªA/Cº button is
pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.
Displaying the outside temperature ±
When you push the ªOUTSIDE TEMPº knob, the
temperature display shows the outside temperature. To
return to the display of the current set temperature, push
the knob again. The temperature display ranges from
±30 C (±22 F) up to 50C (122F).