2001 Lexus IS300 sat

1.
FOREWORD
i
Welcome to the growing group of value±conscious people who drive Lexus\
vehicles. We
are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction of each v\
ehicle we build.
This Owner's Manual explains the operation of your new Lexus. Please read it
thoroughly and have all the occupants follow instructions carefully. Doing so will
help you enjoy many years of safe and thouble±free motoring. For important
information about this manual and your Lexus, read the following pages c\
arefully.
When it comes to service, remember that your Lexus dealer knows your veh\
icle best and
is interested in your complete satisfaction. Your Lexus dealer will provide quality
maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Lexus dealer near you, or you need emergency assistance \
for any reason,
please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS


When traveling in the U.S. mainland or Canada:
Lexus Roadside Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)

HAWAII:
Lexus Customer Service Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)
CANADIAN OWNERS

Please refer to the ºOwner's Guideº or ºOwner's Manual Supplementº.
Please leave this Owner's Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner
will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the time of printing. However,
because of the Lexus policy of continual product improvement, we reserve\
the right to make
changes at any time without notice.
Please note that this manual applies to all models and explains all equipment,
including options. Therefore, you may find some explanations for equipm\
ent not
installed on your vehicle.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
182
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lock±up of the wheels during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists
in providing directional stability and steering
performance of the vehicle under these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to
let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a
panic stop. This will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces such as
on the manhole cover, the steel plate under the construction,
joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy day tends to activate the
anti±lock brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is started or
just after the vehicle is started. This means that the anti±lock
brake system is in the self±check mode, and does not indicate
a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur. They do not indicate a
malfunction of the system: 
You may hear the anti±lock brake system operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle
body and steering wheel. You may also hear the motor
sound in the engine compartment even after the vehicle is
stopped.
 At the end of the anti±lock brake system activation, the
brake pedal may move a little forward.
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti±lock brake system:
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the anti±lock
brake system on.
If tires grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the anti±lock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.
Anti±lock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping dist ance: Always drive at the moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles without an anti±lock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer
stopping distance in the following cases:

ENGINE
236
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller
fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with
leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three±way catalytic converter to lose itseffectiveness and the emission control system tofunction improperly. Also, this can increasemaintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating
of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum
engine performance. However, if such premium type
cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research
Octane Number 91). Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower
than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If
severe, this will lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus
dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a
short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern.
Gasoline containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contains
detergent additives to avoid build±up of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains detergent
additives to keep clean and/or clean intake systems.
Quality gasoline
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specification for quality fuel named
World±Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be
applied world wide. The WWFC consists of three
categories
that depend on required emission levels. In the
U.S., category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC improves
air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle
fleets, and customer satisfaction through better vehicle
performance.

ENGINE
243
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANTLEVEL
SV62006

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Look at the see±through coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between theºFULLº and ºLº lines on the reservoir. If the
level is low, add ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the ºLº line,
add coolant. Bring the level up to the ºFULLº line.
Always use ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components. See information in the
next column. If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing,
there
may be a leak in the system. V isually check the radiator,
hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap and drain cock
and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap
pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.