2001 Lexus ES300 battery

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
344
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be
flooded because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to ªSTARTº with the
accelerator pedal held down. Continue this operation for
30 seconds and then stop cranking. Then try starting the
engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking,
release the key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If 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 crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to
your vehicle which might result from battery
explosion, acid burns, electrical burns, or damaged
electronic components, these instructions must be
followed precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ªForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
345
CAUTION
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous
and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when
jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin,
clothing, or vehicle.
 If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in
your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and
flush the affected area with water immediately. Then
get immediate medical attention. If possible,
continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
en route to the medical office.
 The gas normally produced by a battery will explode
if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
346
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Donot jump start unless you are sure that thebooster battery is correct.
40E053

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
347


5Discharged battery 6Booster batteryJUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle,
make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all
unnecessary lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster
battery. (This helps reduce the explosion hazard,
personal injuries and burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance
interval battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent
plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is
not running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes.
During jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm
with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate po
sitive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order
(
1 2 3 4) shown in the illustration.
1 Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
2 Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive
(red) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
3 Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the
negative (±) terminal of the booster battery.
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative

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.

MAINTENANCE
384
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to
time, e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page
464 for additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the ªFULLº and
ªLOWº lines on the see±through reservoir when the
engine is cold. See page 415 for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not
have to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery,
however, see page 451 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 424
for additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off
and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 410 for
additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should
be in the ªHOTº or ªCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature. See page 426 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or
smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately.
(See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 3±1.)

61E020
INTRODUCTION
391
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1 Engine oilfiller cap
2 Brake fluidreservoir
3 Fuse box
4 Battery
5 Fuse box
6 Engine oilleveldipstick
7 Fuse box
8 Washer
fluid tank
9 Enginecoolantreservoir
10 Power
steeringfluid
reservoir

INTRODUCTION
393
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive
belt. (Removing rings, watches, and ties is
advisable.)
 Right after driving, the engine compartment ± the
engine, radiator, exhaust manifold and power
steering fluid reservoir, etc. ± will be hot. So be
careful not to touch them. Oil and other fluids may
also be hot.
 Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
around fuel or the battery. Their fumes are
flammable.
 Be extremely cautious when working on the battery.
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
 Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
 Use eye protection whenever you work on or under
your vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc.