2003 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

AIR CONDITIONING
163
(a) Climate control
SETTING OPERATION automatic control
1. Push the “AUTO” button.
An indicator light will illuminate to show that the automatic
operation mode has been selected.
Air flow quantity, switching of the diffusers, on−off of the air
conditioning and switching of the air intake between
RECIRCULATED AIR and OUTSIDE AIR are automatically
adjusted. The operation status is shown by each indicator.
When one of the manual control buttons is depressed while
operating in automatic mode, the operation corresponding to
the button depressed is set. Other conditions continue to be
adjusted automatically.
Push the “OFF” button to turn the air conditioning system off.
2. Use the “TEMP” or “PASSENGER TEMP” button to set
the desired temperature.
The “TEMP” or “P ASSENGER TEMP” button is used to set the
desired temperatu re. The temperatur e will be controlled on the
driver and passenger sides simultaneously or individually.
“TEMP” button—Changes the temperature on the driver and
passenger sides simultaneously or the driver side only.
“PASSENGER TEMP” button—Changes the temperature on
the passenger side only.
“DUAL” button— Changes the mode of the temperature
setting.
The indicator on the “DUAL” button has two modes:
 With the indicator on— For individual temperature setting
 With the indicator off— For simultaneous temperature
setting

AIR CONDITIONING
164
20E396
Driver side setting
Passenger side setting
Mixed settingSETTING OPERATION manual control
When one of the manual control buttons is depressed
while operating in automatic mode, the mode relevant to
the depressed button is set. Other conditions continue to
be adjusted automatically.
If manual air flow selection is desired
The outlets from which air is delivered can be selected
manually by
pushing the button. The function of each mode is
as follows:
1 Panel − Air flows mainly from the instrument panel vents.
2
Bilevel − Air flows from both the floor vents and the
instrument panel vents.
3 Floor − Air flows mainly from the floor vents.
4
Floor/Windshield − Air flows mainly from the floor vents
and windshield vents.

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165
If quick heating or cooling is desired
Push the “TEMP” or “PASSENGER TEMP” button on either
side
and hold it until “MAX. HOT” or “MAX. COLD” appears on
the display.
If manual fan speed control is desired
 1 Fan speed at low 2Fan speed at high
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by pushing the
appropriate side of fan speed control button. The higher the
fan speed is, the more air is delivered. Pushing the “OFF”
button turns off the fan.
To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speed
setting. If manual switching of air intake is desired
The air intake control button is used to switch the air intake
between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and RECIRCULATED AIR
mode.
To turn the air source to the RECIRCULATED AIR mode, press
the button. The indicator will come on. To turn the air source
to OUTSIDE AIR mode, press the button agai
n. The indicator
will go off.
To prevent fogging up of the windshield, the air intake mode
may change automatically to the OUTSIDE AIR mode
depending on the condition of the air conditioning system.
For example, when the ambient temperature is low, the air
intake mode may change automatically to the OUTSIDE AIR
mode. This is not a malfunction.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake
control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The indicator light will
come on.

AIR CONDITIONING
166For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button
set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during
heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If manual onoff of the air conditioning is desired
Push the “A/C”
button to turn the air conditioning on and push
it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will improve
fuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for year −round
automatic temperature control including cooling and
dehumidifying operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the “A/C” button will blink. If the indicator of the
“A/C” button blinks even when the “A/C” button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.
Displaying the outside temperature
The temperature display ranges from −30C (−22F) up to
50 C (122 F).
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
To remove interior fog on the windshield
Push the windshield air flow button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield
1. Push the “TEMP” button to set the maximum temperature.
2. Push the windshield air flow button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to obtain
a maximum air flow.
4. Leave the “A/C” button off.
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.

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167
This
button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,
push the air intake control button once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
CAUTION
Do not use the windshield air flow button during cooled
air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air
and that of the windshield could cause the outer surface
of the windshield to fog up blocking your vision.
(c) 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 side vents and
rear vents. (See “(d) Side vents and rear vents”.)
 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, set the fan speed to 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
be set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fan speed to any
setting except “OFF”.

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168
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake be temporarily set to the RECIRCULATED AIR
mode, which will close off the outside passage and prevent
outside air and dust from entering the vehicle interior.
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation −
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature To the desired temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning OFF
For manual operation −
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature Towards high temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow FLOOR
Air conditioning OFF
 For quick heating, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes. To keep the windows from fogging, select
OUTSIDE AIR after the vehicle interior has been warmed.
 Push the “A/C” button on for dehumidified heating.
 Choose floor/windshield air flow to heat the vehicle interior
while defrosting or defogging the windshield. Air conditioning
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation
−
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature To the desired temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning ON
For manual operation −
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature Towards low temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow PANEL
Air conditioning ON
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation −
Push in the “AUTO” button.
Temperature Towards low temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air conditioning OFF

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169
For manual operation
−
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature Towards low temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow PANEL
Air conditioning OFF
Defogging and defrosting
The inside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation −
Temperature Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow WINDSHIELD
For manual operation −
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature Towards high temperature to heat;
low temperature to cool
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow WINDSHIELD
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used. This
button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,
push the air intake control button once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 On humid days, do not blow cold air on the windshield − the
difference between the outside and inside temperatures
could make the fogging worse.
The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation −
Temperature Towards high temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow WINDSHIELD
For manual operation −
Fan speed To the desired fan speed
Temperature Towards high temperature
Air intake OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow WINDSHIELD

AIR CONDITIONING
170When
the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defogging function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used.
This button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,
push the air intake control button once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the windshield,
choose floor/windshield air flow.
(d) Side vents and rear vents
Side vents
Rear vents
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the side vents
and rear vents. The side vents and rear vents may be
opened or closed as shown.