2001 Lexus ES300 heating

SWITCHES
50

1For driver's seat 2For front passenger's
seat
3High heating temperature
4Low heating temperature
To turn on the seat heater, push the switch to ªHIº
(high temperature) or ªLOº (low temperature).
Pushing lightly on the opposite side will turn it off.
The ignition key must be in the ªONº position.

SWITCHES
51
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat
heater because they may experience minor burns even
at low temperatures. Use extra caution for;
Babies, small children, elderly persons, sick persons
or handicapped persons
 Persons who have delicate skin
 Persons who are exhausted
 Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which
induce sleep (sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.).
To prevent the seat from overheating, do not use the
seat heater with a blanket, cushion, or other insulating
objects which cover the seat.

AIR CONDITIONING
222
20E096
The outlets from which air is delivered can be selected
manually by pushing the button. The function of each
mode is as follows:
1Panel ± Air flows mainly from the instrument panel
vents.
2 Bi±level ± Air flows from both the floor vents and
the instrument panel vents.
3 Floor ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents.
4Floor/Windshield ± Air flows mainly from the floor
vents and windshield vents. If quick heating or cooling is desired ±
Turn the ªTEMPº knob until ªMAX. HOTº or ªMAX.
COLDº appears on the display.
When the ªMAX. COLDº is selected, the air intake is
automatically set to RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
If manual fan speed control is desired ±

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).

AIR CONDITIONING
228
(c) Operating tips
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot
sun, drive for the first few minutes with the windows
open. After the excess heat has blown away, close
the windows.
 Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield
are not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
 If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the
dashboard vents. (See ªSide ventsº.)
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the
windshield. The windshield could fog up because of
the difference in air temperature on the inside and
outside of the windshield.
 Keep the area under the front seats clear to allow air
to circulate throughout the vehicle.
 On cold days, push the fan speed selector to adjust
the fan speed high for a minute to help clear the intake
ducts of snow or moisture. This can reduce the
amount of fogging on the windows.
 When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If
dust thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the
vehicle after closing the windows, it is recommended
that the air intake control button be left to the
OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan speed control button
be pressed to anywhere except the ªOFFº button. 
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving
in windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that
the air intake control button be temporarily pressed in
to the RECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close
off the outside passage and prevent outside air and
dust from entering the vehicle interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± OFF
For manual operation ±

AIR CONDITIONING
229
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards
WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± FLOOR
Air conditioning ± OFF
 For quick heating, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a
few minutes. To keep the windows from fogging,
select OUTSIDE AIR after the vehicle interior has
been warmed.
 Push the ªA/Cº button on for dehumidified heating.
 Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat the vehicle
interior while defrosting or defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± ON
For manual operation ±Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
Air conditioning ± ON
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a
few minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Push in the ªAUTOº button.
Temperature ± Towards low temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ± OFF

STARTING AND DRIVING
277
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains
carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or
out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this
a particularly dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do
so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating
or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.
 Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle.

STARTING AND DRIVING
292
(d) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you can start the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle will start in first
gear and automatically shift to second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is
engaged in first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to over±rev the engine. Watchthe tachometer to keep engine rpm from goinginto the red zone. The approximate maximumallowable speed for each position is givenabove for your reference.
ª2º 128 km/h (80 mph) . . .
ªLº 71 km/h (44 mph) . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the ª2º or ªLº position. This maycause severe automatic transmission damagefrom overheating. To prevent such damage,
ªDº position should be used in hill climbing orhard towing.