2001 Lexus IS300 dashboard

KEYS AND DOORS
10
11L023-3
Do not bend the key grip.
Do not cover the key grip with any material that cutsoff electromagnetic waves.
Do not knock the key hard against other objects.
Do not leave the key exposed to high temperatures
for a long period, such as on the dashboard and hoodunder the direct sunlight.
Do not put the key in water or wash it in an ultrasonicwasher.
Do not use the key with electromagnetic materials.
ENGINE IMMOBILISER SYSTEM
SV11007
The engine immobiliser system is a theft prevention
system. When you insert the key in the ignition switch, the
transponder chip in the key's head transmits an electronic
code to the vehicle. The engine will start, only when the
electronic code in the chip corresponds to the registered
ID code for the vehicle.
The system is automatically set when the key is removed from
the ignition switch. At this time, the security indicator light
flashes. When you insert the key in the ignition switch, the
security indicator light goes out and the system is canceled
automatically, which enables the engine to start.
For your Lexus dealer to make you a new key with built±in
transponder chip, your dealer will need your key number and
master key. However, there is a limit to the number of
additional keys your Lexus dealer can make for you.

KEYS AND DOORS
12In the following cases, the battery in the key may be
discharged. If this is a case, replace it using a special
screwdriver.

The remote control does not work.
 The operational range of wireless remote control becomes
extremely short.
 The indicator light on the key is dimmed or does not come
on.
For the replacement of the battery, see ºReplacing the batteryº
on page 15. You can also have the battery of the key replaced
by your Lexus dealer.
If you lose the wireless key, contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible to avoid the possibility of theft, or an accident.
You can use up to 4 wireless remote control keys for the same
vehicle. Contact your Lexus dealer for detailed information.
The wireless remote control key is an electronic
component. Observe the following instructions in order
not to cause damage to the key.
 Do not leave the wireless remote control key on places
where the temperature becomes high such as on the
dashboard.
 Do not disassemble it.
 Avoid knocking it hard against other objects or dropping it.
 Avoid putting it in water.
Locking/Unlocking the doors
When you push the ºLOCKº button on the key briefly, all
the doors can be locked from outside the vehicle.
At this time, one beep sounds* and the emergency flashers
flash once.** However, when you push the ºLOCKº button with
any door not closed securely, the buzzer sounds for 10
seconds.*** To stop the buzzer, close all the doors securely or
push the ºUNLOCKº button. If the key is in the ignition switch,
locking cannot be done.
Make sure all the doors are locked when you leave the vehicle.
Push the ºLOCKº button once again. If they were already
locked, one beep sounds and the emergency flashers will
flash.
NOTE: *The beep sound can be set not to sound. **The emergency flasher can be set not to flash. ***The buzzercan be set not to sound with any door not closed securely.Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
NOTICE
Do not push the ºLOCKº button any longer than 2 to 3seconds. Pushing the button longer activates an alarm.For details, see page 14.
When you push the ºUNLOCKº button, the driver's door
is unlocked. Pushing that button once again within 3
seconds from the first push, all other doors are also
unlocked.*
NOTE: *Unlocking by a 2±time operation can be changed.Ask your Lexus dealer for details.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
90
SRS AIRBAGS
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags are
designed to provide further protection for the driver and
front passenger in addition to the primary safety
protection provided by the seat belts.
SS16037

Driver and front passenger airbags
In response to a severe frontal impact, the driver and front
passenger airbags work together with the seat belts to
help reduce injury by inflating. The driver and front
passenger airbags help to reduce injuries mainly to the
driver's or front passenger's head or chest directly hitting
the steering wheel or dashboard.
The front passenger airbag is activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly. Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver and front passenger when the SRS
airbags are inflated.
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard during airbag deployment can be
killed or seriously injured. Lexus strongly recommends
that:

The driver sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
 The front passenger sit as far back as possible from
the dashboard.
 All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using
the available seat belts.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
95
When the SRS operates, it produces a fairly loud noise and
release some smoke and residue along with non±toxic gas.
This does not indicate a fire. This gas is normally harmless;
however, for those who have delicate skin, it may cause a
minor skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any residue as soon
as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second,
so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious injuries, it may also
cause minor burns or abrasions and swelling.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, dashboard,
front seats) may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags
themselves
will not be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate
only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the driver and front passenger
airbags may break the windshield as the vehicle buckles. In
vehicles with a front passenger airbag, the windshield may
also be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the
inflating airbag.
CAUTION
 The SRS airbag system is designed only as a
supplement to the primary protection of the driver
side and front passenger side seat belt systems. The
front seat occupants can be killed or seriously
injured by the inflating airbags if they do not wear the
available seat belts properly. During sudden braking
just before a co llision, an unrestrained driver or front
passenger can move forward into direct contact with
or close proximity to the airbag which may then
deploy during the collision. To ensure maximum
protection in an accident, the driver and all
passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly. Wearing a seat belt during an accident
reduces the chances of death or serious injury or
being thrown out of the vehicle. For instructions and
precautions concerning the seat belt system, see
ºSeat beltsº on page 81.
 Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying air bags. An infant or child who is too small
to use a seat belt should be properly secured using
a child restraint system. Lexus strongly
recommends that all infants and children be placed
in the rear seat of the vehicle and properly restrained.
The rear seat is the safest for infants and children.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see ºChild restraintº on page 102 .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
97
SS16052
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use. The airbags
inflate with considerable speed and force; you may
be killed or seriously injured. Sit up straight and well
back in the seat, and always use your seat belt
properly.
SV16025
Do not lean against the front door when the vehicle
is in use. The side airbag inflates with considerable
speed and force; you may be killed or seriously
injured.
 Do not apply excessive weight to the outer side of the
front seats on vehicles with side airbags.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
98
SS16056a
Do not allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the
front passenger seat. The airbag inflates with
considerable speed and force; the child may be killed
or seriously injured.
 Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms. Use
a child restraint system in the rear seat. For
instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see ºChild restraintº on page 102.
SV16065
Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad that houses the
driver and front passenger airbag system. They
might restrict inflation or cause death or serious
injury as they are projected rearward by the force of
the deploying airbags. Likewise, the driver and front
passenger should not hold things in their arms or on
their knees.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
100
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes withoutconsulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes caninterfere with proper operation of the SRS airbagsystem in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobiletwo±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and side structure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment tothe front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front endstructure, console, steering column, steering wheel,dashboard near the front passenger airbag or frontseats.
SV16061
This SRS airbag system has an indicator to inform the driver
of operating problems. If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction of the airbags. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.
 When the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or ºONº
position, the light does not come on, 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 fail.

AIR CONDITIONING
129
SS21015
3. Take out the air filter.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced. To maintain the air
conditioning efficiency, replace the air filter according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ºOwner's Manual Supplement
/ Maintenance Scheduleº.)
NOTICE
Do not drive with the air filter removed, or the efficiency
of air conditioning may be lost.
(d) 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 ºCenter ventsº and ºSide 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 dial be turned to anywhere except the ºOFFº
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.