2001 Lexus ES300 air condition

MAINTENANCE
385
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEEDREPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds,
and visual tip±offs that indicate service is needed. Some
important clues are:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water
dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a
dangerous carbon monoxide leak. Drive with the
windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)

Flat±looking tires, excessive tire squeal when
cornering, uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a
level road

Strange noises related to suspension movement

Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake
pedal, pedal almost touches floors, vehicle pulls to
one side when braking

Engine coolant temperature continually higher than
normal If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs
adjustment or repair.

ENGINE
407
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and
cooling the inside of the engine, and plays a major role
in maintaining the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some
engine oil during normal engine operation. The
causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and
cylinders. A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall
when a piston moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when the vehicle
is decelerating sucks some of this oil into the
combustion chamber. This oil as well as some part of
the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by the
high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake
valves. Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion
chamber together with the intake air and is burned
along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases
also burn the oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way
the vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as
high speeds and frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons,
piston rings and cylinder walls have not become
conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep
in mind that the oil may have become diluted,
making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips
and consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may
not show any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000
km (600 miles) or more. This is because the oil is
gradually becoming diluted with fuel or moisture, making
it appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle
is then driven at high speeds, as on an expressway,
making it appear that oil is excessively consumed after
driving at high speeds.

CHASSIS
435
If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks
deep enough to expose the fabric, or bulges
indicating internal damage, the tire should be
replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due
to the size or location of a cut or other damage, it should
be replaced. If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer.
If an air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving
with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can
damage a tire beyond repair.
Any tires which are over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician even if damage is
not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or
seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires stored for
future use.
Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared in accordance
with regulations issued by the National Highway
Traffic
Safety Administration of the U.S. Department
of Transportation. It provides the purchasers and/or
prospective purchasers of Lexus vehicles with
information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Lexus dealer will help answer any questions
you may have as you read this information.
DOT quality grades ± All passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades. Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear ± The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half (1 ± 1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C ± The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B and C, and they represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
448
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 ABS60Anti±lock brake system
2 INJ20No circuit
3 DRL NO.25Daytime Running Light System
4H±LP15*1Left±hand headlight (low beam)4 HLPLH(LWR)10*2
5H±LP15*1Right±hand headlight (lowbeam)5 HLPRH(LWR)10*2beam)
6 ALT100Charging system
7 T±STK30No circuit
8 HTR50Air conditioning system, Seat
heater
9 MAIN40Headlight, Starting system
10 DOME7.5
Theft deterrent system, Clock,
Door courtesy light, Interior
light, Ignition switch light, Vanity
light, Wireless remote control
system
11 ECU±B10Air conditioning system,
Power seat system
12 RADIO
NO.120Audio system
13 HAZARD15Emergency flashers, Turn
signal lights

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
449
*1: Vehicles with discharge headlight*2: Vehicles without discharge headlightNo.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
14 AM230Starting system
15 TEL5Telephone
16 HEAD
LH(UPR)20Left±hand headlight (high
beam)
17 ALT±S5Charging system
18 HEAD
RH(UPR)20Right±hand headlight
(high beam)
19 EFI15Multiport fuel injection
20 HORN10Theft deterrent system
21 RDI30Electronic cooling fan
system
22 CDS30Air conditioning system
23 A/F HTR25Air fuel ratio sensor
24 A/C10No circuit
25 SEAT
±HEATER20Seat heater system
26 HEATER10Air conditioning system
27 GAUGE10
Gauges and meters,
Service reminder
indicators and warning
buzzers, Back±up light,
Door courtesy light, Seat
heater, Power window
system

BODY
478
PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLEFROM CORROSION
Proper care of your Lexus can help ensure long±term
corrosion prevention.
The most common causes of corrosion to your
vehicle are:

The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in
hard±to±reach areas under the vehicle.

Chipping of paint or undercoating caused by minor
accidents or by stones and gravel.
The following conditions will cause or accelerate
corrosion of your vehicle, so it is important to keep
your vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as
possible and to repair any damage to paint or
protective coatings as soon as possible.

The presence of road salt or dust control chemicals,
salt in the air near the sea coast, industrial air
pollution.

High humidity, especially at temperatures just above
freezing point.

Certain parts of your vehicle are wet or damp for an
extended period of time, even though other parts of
the vehicle are dry.

Components of the vehicle which are prevented from
quick±drying due to lack of proper ventilation are exposed to high temperature.

BODY
485
water or with lukewarm water.
Use a cloth or sponge. As you are cleaning, check the
belts for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
NOTICE

Use a good foam±type shampoo to clean the
carpets.

Do not use dye or bleach on the belts ± it mayweaken them.

Do not use the belts until they become dry.

The windows may be cleaned with anyhousehold window cleaner.

When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be
careful not to scratch or damage the heater
wires or connectors.
Air Conditioning Control Panel, Car
Audio, Instrument Panel, Console Panel,
and Switches
Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning.
Soak a clean soft cloth in water or lukewarm water then
lightly wipe off any dirt.
NOTICE

Do not use organic substances (solvents,kerosene, alcohol, gasoline, etc.) or alkaline oracidic solutions. These chemicals can causediscoloring, staining or peeling of the surface.

If you use cleaners or polishing agents, makesure their ingredients do not include thesubstances mentioned above.

If you use a liquid car freshener, do not spill theliquid onto the vehicle's interior surfaces. Itmay contain the ingredients mentioned above.Immediately clean any spill using the method
mentioned above.
If you have any questions about the cleaning of your
Lexus, your local Lexus dealer will be pleased to
answer them.