2002 Lexus ES300 ABS

STARTING AND DRIVING
241
Drumindisc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drumindisc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs beddingdown of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes
and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the beddingdown.
Brake assist system (vehicles with vehicle
skid control system)
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist system
judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold down the brake pedal
firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking will be
applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake pedal. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist 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).
For an explanation of this system’s warning light, see “ABS
warning light” on page 53.
BRAKE PAD WEAR LIMITINDICATORS
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes
give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to the
extent that replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have
the brake pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the
pads are not replaced when needed.

DRIVING TIPS
253

Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put
the transmission in “P”. Avoid parking on a slope with a
trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only after performing
the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle
and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in “P” position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the “3”, “2”, “L” or “R” position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
 Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicletrailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
 Slow down and downshift before descending steep
or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden
downshifts.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking efficiency.

CHASSIS
313
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
To check the fluid level, simply look at the seethrough
reservoir. The level should be between the “MAX” and
“MIN” lines on the tank.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the
brake pads wear. So be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a
serious mechanical problem.
If the level is low, add FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid to the brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cap by hand. Add brake
fluid up to the “MAX” line.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once opened, brake fluid
absorbs moisture from the air, and excess moisture can cause
a dangerous loss of braking efficiency.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the reservoir because brake fluid
can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted
surfaces. If fluid gets in your hands or eyes, flush them
with clean water immediately. If you still feel
uncomfortable with your hands or eyes, go to the
doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill some of the fluid, be sure to wipe it off to
prevent it from damaging the parts or paintwork.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
326
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 ABS NO.47.5
Antilock brake system,
vehicle skid control system,
traction control system, brake
assist system
2 A/F25Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
3 DOOR125
Multiplex communication
system (power door lock
system, autodoor locking
system, wireless remote
control system)
4 TEL5No circuit
5 AM230All components in “IGN” and
“IG2” fuses and starting system
6 EFI20Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
7 ALTS5Charging system
8 HEAD LHUPR10Lefthand headlight (high
beam)
9 ETCS10Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
10 HORN10Horns
11 IGN15Starting system
12 HEAD RH UPR10Righthand headlight (high
beam)
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
13 HAZ15Emergency flashers
14 D.C.C30All components in “ECUB”,
“RAD NO.1” and “DOME” fuses
15 IG210
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system, SRS
airbag system, front seat belt
pretensioners, cruise control
system
16 ST5Starting system
17 ADJ PDL30Power adjustable pedals
18 CDS30Electric cooling fan
19 ABS NO.240
Antilock brake system,
vehicle skid control system,
traction control system, brake
assist system
20 MAIN40
All components in “HEAD LH
LWR”, “HEAD RH LWR”, “HEAD
LH UPR”, “HEAD RH UPR” and
“DRL” fuses
21 ABS NO.340
Antilock brake system,
vehicle skid control system,
traction control system, brake
assist system
22 HTR50Air conditioning system
23 RDI30Electric cooling fan

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
327
24 SPARE5Spare fuse
25 SPARE10Spare fuse
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
26 ABS NO.160
All components in “RDI FAN”,
“ABS NO.2”, “ABS NO.3”,
“CDS”, “HTR (50 A)” and “ADJ
PDL” fuses and antilock brake
system, vehicle skid control
system, traction control
system, brake assist system
27 ALT120
All components in “DEF”, “PWR
NO.1”, “PWR NO.2”, “PWR
NO.3”, “PWR NO.4”, “STOP”,
“DOOR NO.2”, “OBD”, “PWR
SEAT”, “FUEL OPEN”, “FOG”,
“AMP”, “PANEL”, “TAIL”,
“AM1”, “CIG”, “POWER
POINT”, “RAD NO.2”,
“ECUACC”, “GAUGE1”,
“GAUGE2”, “ECUIG”,
“WIPER”, “WASHER”, “HTR
(10 A)”, “SEAT HTR”, and
“SUNSHADE” fuses
28 SPARE15Spare fuse
29 A/C10Air conditioning system
30 DRL5Daytime running light system
31 HEAD RH
LW R15Righthand headlight (low
beam)
32 HEAD LHLW R15Lefthand headlight (low
beam) and front fog lights
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
33 ECUB10
Multiplex communication
system (power door lock
system, security system,
autodoor locking system,
automatic light control system,
headlight delay off system, tail
light auto cut system,
illuminated entry system,
daytime running light system,
wireless remote control
system) air conditioning
system, electronic modulated
suspension, driving position
memory system
34 DOME7.5
Ignition switch light, interior
light, personal lights, foot
lights, door courtesy lights,
trunk light, vanity lights, garage
door opener, clock, outside
temperature gauge,
multiinformation display
35 CIG15Cigarette lighter
36 ECUACC5
Power rear view mirrors, clock,
multiinformation display,
driving position memory
system
37 RAD NO.210Car audio system, navigation
system