2001 Lexus IS300 brake

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
39
(e) Stop and check.

(f) Stop and check.
(g) Add engine oil.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
If brake system
warning light is also
on, stop immediately
and contact Lexus
dealer.
(j) Close all doors.
(k) Replace bulb. (l) Fill up tank.
(m) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(n) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(o) Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light and Buzzer
This l ight comes on in the following cases when the ignition key
is in the ºONº position.
 When the parking brake is applied ...
This light comes on for a few seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the ºONº position even after the parking brake is
released.
The buzzer beeps once if the vehicle is driven with its parking
brake 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:
or
or
Low fuel level
warning light
Key reminder buzzer

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
40
The light does not come on even if the parking brake is
applied when the ignition key is in the ºONº position.
 The light does not come on even if the ignition key is turned
on with the parking brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions occurs, immediately
stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
 The light does not turn off even after the parking
brake is released while the engine is running.
In the 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.
 The brake system warning light remains on together
with the ºABSº warning light.
In this case, not only the anti±lock brake system will
fail but also the vehicle will become extremely
unstable during braking.
(b) Driver's Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver's seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the
reminder light flashes and buzzer sounds if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light
stays flashing and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Front Passenger's Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light reminds you to buckle up the front passenger's seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the
reminder light flashes if a passenger sits in the front passenger
seat and does not fasten the seat belt. Unless the front
passenger fastens the belt, the light stays flashing.
If luggage load is placed on the front passenger seat,
depending on its weight and how it is placed on the seat,
built±in sensors in the seat cushion may detect the pressure,
causing the reminder light to come on.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
43
(h) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº onpage 34 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ºFuel tank capº on page 65 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine electrical system, automatic transmission electrical system or
electronic throttle control system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ºcº., have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
If this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not increase
with the accelerator pedal depressed down to about the middle
position, there may be a problem somewhere in your electronic
throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low speeds. Have
your Lexus checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the ab normality of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.
(i) ºABSº Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº
position. If the anti±l ock brake system works properly, the light
turns off after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the system
malfunctions, the light comes on again.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system and/or the
traction control system do/does not operate, but the brake
system still operates conventionally.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system and/or the
traction control system do/does not operate so that the wheels
could lock up during a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ºONº position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
44
CAUTION
If the ºABSº warning light remains on together with the
brake system warning light, immediately stop your
vehicle at a safe place and contact your Lexus dealer.
In this case, not only the anti±lock brake system will fail
but also the vehicle will become extremely unstable
during braking.
(j) Open Door Warning Light and Buzzer
This light and buzzer remain on until all the doors are
completely closed.
(k) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned on (at
the first or second clickstop), it indicates that one or more of the
tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one or more
stop lights are burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
(l) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. Fill 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.
(m) ºTRAC OFFº Indicator / Warning Lights
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº, and
will go off after a few seconds. This means that the system is
operating properly.
If the light flashes, this indicates a malfunction in the traction
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
(n) Automatic Headlight Leveling System Warning Light
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.
(o) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver's door with the ignition key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº
position.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
45
How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level 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 ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.

or

or
or
The following service reminder indicators go off after a few
seconds.
or

The lights other than the slip indicator light may stay on for
about 60 seconds after the engine is started. It is normal if they
go out after a while.
If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not
function have it checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.

SECTION 3 ± 1
160
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter161
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 162
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 163
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 164
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
How to start the engine 165
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 166
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 176
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 177
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Traction control system 180
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 181
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Brake pad wear indicators 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 185
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . Limited ±slip differential
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

STARTING AND DRIVING
165
PARKING BRAKE
SV31017
To set: Pull up the lever. For better holding power, first
depress the brake pedal and hold it while setting the
parking brake.
To release: Pull up the lever slightly (1) , press the lock
release button (2), and lower (3).
To remind you that the parking brake is set, the parking brake
reminder light in the instrument panel remains on until you
release the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully
released and that the parking brake reminder light is off.
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ºPº. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ºNº. A
starter safety device will prevent the starter from operating if
the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until driving
off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
ºBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot
engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready
to drive.

STARTING AND DRIVING
166If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a
few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the
engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 198.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, have the engine checked immediately.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to
minimize the possibility of incorrect operation. This
means you can only shift out of ºPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in ºONº
position. ( )
SV31020