2001 Lexus ES300 parking brake

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
vi
Page
1 Door lock switch and power windowswitches 28, 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Power rear view mirror control switches 132 . . . . . .
3 Side vents 232
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Instrument panel light control 69
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Headlight, turn signal and fog light switch 31 . . . . .
6 Wiper and washer switch 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Ignition switch 279
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Emergency flasher switch 48
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Clock 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
10 Car audio 238
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Security indicator light 12, 211
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Automatic air conditioning controls 217
. . . . . . . . . .
13 Glove box/CD automatic changer 85/256
. . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Automatic transmission selector lever 284
. . . . . . . .
15 Ashtray 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
16 Electronic modulated suspension
control switch 301 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Seat heater switches 49
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Vehicle skid control system off switch
or Traction control system off switch 301, 305 . . . . .
19 Cruise control switch 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Trunk lid opener 105
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Fuel filler door opener 108
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Parking brake 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Hood lock release lever 102
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Auxiliary box 96
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BE028
Note: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift the transmi\
ssion by turning off the overdrive switch, engine
braking will not be applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For th\
e operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
300.
Parking, engine starting and key
removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving (with overdrive on)
position
Position for stronger engine braking
Position for maximum engine
braking
With the brake pedal depressed,
shift while holding the lock release
button in. (The ignition switch must
be in ªONº position.)
Shift while holding the lock release
button in.
Shift normally.
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three±speed or
four±speed transmission
Lock release button (To prevent misshifting)
ªO/D OFFº indicator
light on the instrument
cluster
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
3
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

BE004
BE004
Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights turn on at full
intensity.
Automatic light control
Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
BE005
BE006
High beam
Headlight flasher
Right or left turn
Lane change
(Right or left)
BASIC OPERATION ± QUICK REFERENCE
4
4. HEADLIGHT AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH
With the ignition OFF
With the engine started and parking
brake released

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

SWITCHES
33
The automatic light control sensor is on top of the
driver's side instrument panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel, and/or do
not affix anything on the windshield to block this sensor.
When the headlights come on, the lights automatically
turn off about 30 seconds after any of the doors is
opened and closed with the ignition key turned to the
ªACCº or ªLOCKº position. To turn them on again, turn
the ignition key to the ªONº position, or turn the headlight
switch off
and then twist the knob until the first or second
clickstop. If you are going to park for over one week,
make sure the headlight switch is off. Daytime Running Light System
The headlights turn on at reduced intensity when the
parking brake is released with the engine started, even
with the light switch in the ªOFFº position. They will not
go off until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel
lights, twist the knob to the first clickstop.
Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the
headlights to full intensity for driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ªAUTOº),
the headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity
and/or turn on the other lights depending on the
darkness of the surroundings. Likewise, as the
surroundings
become brighter, the headlights will turn to
reduced intensity, ultimately turning off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the lights on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
61
(a) If parking brake
is off, stop
immediately and
contact Lexus
dealer.
(b) Fasten seat belt.
(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer
immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check. (f) Add engine oil.
(g) Take vehicle to
Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(m) Add washer fluid.
or
or
and
w069

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
62(n) Low fuel level Fill up tank.
warning light
(o) Automatic headlight Take vehicle to leveling system Lexus dealer.
warning light
(p) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases when the
ignition key is in the ªONº position.
 When the parking brake is applied...
 When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the
brake fluid level is low.
Have your vehicle checked at your Lexus dealer in
the following cases.
The light does not come on even if the parking brake
is applied when the ignition key is in the ªONº position.
CAUTION
If the light does not turn off even after the parking brake
is released while the engine is running, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer. In this case, the brakes may not work properly
and your stopping distance will become longer.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and bring the vehicle to
an immediate stop.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
67
(m) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank
becomes nearly empty. F ill the tank as soon as possible.
(n) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank
becomes nearly empty. F ill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the
tank, the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier
than usual.
(o) Automatic Headlight Leveling System Warning Light (Vehicles with
discharge headlight only)
This light warns that when there is a problem
somewhere in the automatic headlight leveling
system.
If it comes on, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer.
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you
open the driver's door with the ignition key in the ªACCº
or ªLOCKº position.
How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light and low
washer fluid warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come
on. It goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ªACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come
on. It goes off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ªONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come
on.
or

or

SECTION 3 ± 1
273
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter273
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 276
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 278
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 279
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 283
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 284
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic modulated suspension 301
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 301
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 308
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit indicators 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER