2003 Lexus IS300 air conditioning

AIR CONDITIONING
183
(a) Climate control
SETTING OPERATION ± automatic control
SV21018
1. Set the air flow control dial and the fan speed control
dial to ºAUTOº positions.
An indicator light will illuminate to show that the automatic
operation mode has been selected.
Air flow quantity and switching of the diffusers are
automatically adjusted.
When one of the manual control dials is turned while operating
in automatic mode, the operation corresponding to the dial
turned is set. Other conditions continue to be adjusted
automatically.
When the fan speed control dial is turned to ºOFFº, the fan is
turned off. If the ºA/Cº button indicator flashes, there is a problem in the
air conditioning system and the air conditioning automatically
shuts off. If this happens, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer for service.
SV21021a
2. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired
temperature.
The temperature control dial is used to set the desired
passenger compartment temperature.
The temperature of air
delivered to the passenger compartment will be controlled
automatically according to the setting. The figures on the
panel indicate degrees Fahrenheit.
When you adjust the temperature control dial to maximum
cooling, the air intake mode will be automatically changed to
RECIRCULATED AIR.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
184SETTING OPERATION ± manual control
If manual air flow selection is desired ±
SV21017
The outlets from which air is delivered can be selected
manually by pushing the button. The function of each mode is
as follows:
1Panel
± Air flows mainly from the instrument panel vents.
2Bi±level ± Air flows from both the floor vents and the
instrument panel vents.
3Floor ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents.
4Floor/Windshield ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents
and windshield vents.
Set the air flow control dial to the floor/windshield position
turns on the defogging function with the purpose of
clearing the front view.
Use with the air intake control positioned in fresh. Press the ºA/Cº button for dehumidified heating or
cooling. This setting clears the front view more quickly.
5Windshield
± Air flows mainly from the windshield vents.
Set the air flow control dial to the windshield position turns
on the defogging function with the purpose of clearing the
front view.
This position allows the air intake to select FRESH
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more
quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATE mode,
press the air intake selector button one again.
Press ºA/Cº button for dehumidified heating or cooling.
This setting clears the front view more quickly.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
185
If manual fan speed control is desired ±
SV21023

1Fan speed at low 2Fan speed at high
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by turning the
fan speed control dial. The higher the fan speed is, the more
air is delivered. Turning the dial to ºOFFº turns off the fan.
To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speed
setting.
If manual switching of air intake is desired ±
SV21024a
The air intake control button is used to switch the air intake
between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and RECIRCULATED AIR
mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the OUTSIDE AIR
mode ind
icator light will come on and the system will take fresh
outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake
control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
For 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.
When you adjust the airflow control dial and the fan speed
control dial to ºAUTOº positions in case that the room
temperature is much higher than the set temperature, the air
intake mode will be automatically changed to
RECIRCULATED AIR.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
186However, once selecting ºRECIRCULATED AIRº of the air
intake manually will make this function inoperable. In order to
make this function operable again, first select ºOUTSIDE AIRº
of the air intake, turn off the ignition switch, and start the engine
again. Then this function return to be operable.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ºA/Cº 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 ºA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of the
ºA/Cº button blinks even when the ºA/Cº button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
SV21016
To remove interior fog on the windshield ±
1. Turn the air flow control dial to ºWINDSHIELDº.
2. Set the ºOUTSIDE AIRº mode.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield ±
1. Turn the temperature control dial to the maximum
temperature.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to ºWINDSHIELDº.
3. Turn the fan speed control dial to ºHIº.
4. Leave the air conditioning on±off button off.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
187
CAUTION
Do not use the ºFRONT WINDSHIELDº 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) Air filter
The air filter may clog after long use which will reduce the air
flow. However, you can inspect the filter easily.
The air conditioning filter may clog after long use. The filter
may need to be replaced if the air flow of the air conditioner and
heater experiences extreme reductions in operating ef ficiency,
or if the windows become to fog up easily.
When you inspect and replace the air filter, be sure to turn off
the fan.
SS21013
1. Remove the glove box.
Remove belongings stored in the glove box, and remove the
two pins installed on the lower part of the glove box, and
remove the glove box.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
188
SV21015
2. Remove the cover and 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
/ Scheduled Maintenanceº.)
INFORMATION
The air filter should be installed properly in position.The use of air conditioning with the air filter removedmay cause deteriorated dustproof performance andthen affect air conditioning performance.
(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, set 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 m ode, which will close off the outside
passage and prevent outside air and dust from entering the
vehicle interior.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
189
Heating
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Set the air flow control dial and the fan speed control
dial to ºAUTOº position.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
For manual operation ±Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards WARM (to the right)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± FLOOR
 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 ºA/Cº 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 ±
Set the air flow control dial and the fan speed control
dial to ºAUTOº position.
Temperature ± To the desired temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
For manual operation ±Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
 For quick cooling, select RECIRCULATED AIR for a few
minutes.
Ventilation
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation ±
Set the air flow control dial and the fan speed control
dial to ºAUTOº position.
Temperature ± Towards low temperature
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AIR CONDITIONING
190For manual operation ±
Fan speed ± To the desired fan speed
Temperature ± Towards COLD (to the left)
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± PANEL
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 WARM (to the right) to heat;
COLD (to the left) to cool
Air intake ± OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow ± WINDSHIELD
Set the air flow control dial to the windshield or floor/windshield
position turns on the defogging function with the purpose of
clearing the front view. When turning the air flow selector to windshield position, the
air intake selects FRESH automatically.
This is to clean up the
front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATE mode, press
the air intake selector button once again.
Press the ºA/Cº 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
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)