2003 Lexus ES300 air conditioning

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
iii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
The contents of this manual are explained briefly on this
page to help you make the best use of the manual. Please
read this page and the rest of the Owner’s Manual
carefully to make sure you fully understand the operation
of your vehicle.
This will help you enjoy safe and comfortable driving.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The table of contents and the pictorial index provide easy
reference to the appropriate pages.
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
Operation of basic equipment is briefly explained in an easily
understandable way for quick reference.
SECTION 1 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The vehicle’s equipment is divided into the 7 groups listed
below. Use of the equipment is explained, including any points
you should pay particular attention to.
1. Keys and doors
2. Switches
3. Gauges, meters and service reminder indicators
4. Interior equipment
5. Exterior equipment
6. Comfort adjustment
7. Theft deterrent
SECTION 2 AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
The features of the vehicle’s air conditioning and audio are
explained in detail. Be sure to read this section so that you can
make full use of them.
SECTION 3 STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the engine, driving, stopping, operation of features
affecting vehicle handling, hints on vehicle safety and safe
driving techniques are all explained. Please read everything
in this section, and remember − drive safely!
SECTION 4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
This section explains what to do in the event of an urgent
situation such as the engine not starting or getting a flat tire,
etc. If such a problem occu rs, check the contents of this
Owner’s Manual and follow the instructions given.
SECTION 5 MAINTENANCE
This section explains the importance of regular maintenance.
Regular and periodic inspection and maintenance of your
Lexus will help to keep your vehicle in its best condition.
SECTION 6 SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are provided
here for your reference should you wish to perform inspection
and maintenance yourself.

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
viPage
1
Door lock switch and power window
switches 24, 40
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Driving position memory switches 152
. . . . . . . . . . .
3 Power rear view mirror control switches 102 . . . . . .
4 Side vents 170
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Instrument panel light control dial 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Headlight, turn signal and
fog light switches 28, 30, 33, 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Multiinformation display control switches 59 . . . .
8 Ignition switch 225
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Wiper and washer switches 34
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Seat heater switches 44
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Emergency flasher switch 43
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Clock 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
13 Car audio 174, 196
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light 53 . . . . .
15 Security indicator light 14, 156
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
16 Glove box
70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Automatic air conditioning controls 160
. . . . . . . . . .
18 Rear window and outside rear view mirror
defogger switch 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Ashtray 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
20 Automatic transmission selector lever 227 . . . . . . . .
21 Rear electric sunshade switch 79
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Electronic modulated suspension
control switch 237 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Traction control system off switch 238
. . . . . . . . . . .
24 Cruise control switch 234
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Power adjustable pedals switch 100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Parking brake pedal 226
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 Auxiliary box 76
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28 Hood lock release lever 84
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29 Trunk lid opener 85
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30 Fuel filler door opener 87
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Finish
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
49
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions,
such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop−and−go traffic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling
system as this may cause the engine to overheat. The
thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant
to keep the temperature of the engine within the
specified operating range.
 Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” on page 269.
TACHOMETER
13E064
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to
prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most
cases the slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This
may cause severe engine damage.

Finish
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
53
(c) Front Passenger’s Seat Belt ReminderLight
This light reminds you to buckle up the front passenger’s seat
belt.
Once the ignition key is tur ned to the “ON” position, the
reminder light flashes if a front passenger sits in the front
passenger seat and does not fasten the seat belt. Unless the
front passenger fastens the belt, the light keeps 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.
(d) SRS Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS airbags and seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. If any 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.
 When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the
light does not come on, remains 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 and curtain
shield airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fail.
(e) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive
belt.
 If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower,
radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or
repair shop.

SECTION 2 – 1
159
AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
Air conditioning
Automatic air conditioning controls160
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

AIR CONDITIONING
160
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
20E283

AIR CONDITIONING
161
The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains
the set temperature.
In the automatic operation mode, the air conditioning selects
the most suitable fan speed, air flow, air intake and on
−off the
air conditioning according to the temperature.
The ignition key must be in the “ON” position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not
leave the air conditioning on longer than necessary
when the engine is not running.
1 “TEMP” (driver side temperature control) button
2 Driver side temperature display (in degrees
Fahrenheit or Centigrade)
3 Fan speed display
4 Outside temperature display
5 Air flow display
6 Passenger side temperature display (in degrees
Fahrenheit or Centigrade)
7 “PASSENGER TEMP” (passenger side temperature
control) button
8 “DUAL” (temperature setting mode change) button
9 Windshield air flow button
10 “MODE”(air flow control) button
11 Air intake control button
12 Fan speed control button
13 “OFF” button
14 “AUTO” button
15 “A/C” button

AIR CONDITIONING
162
20E395
Air flow selection