2003 Lexus IS300 service

AUDIO
206If a type search was started, it can be canceled as described
in ºRDSº.
The following program type names are available. After a
program
type search, the radio will display one of the following
program types for 6 seconds, then the program type name for
6 seconds (if available). After that, it will display the program
service name of the current station. The following table lists
each display and its program type. Display
Program type (PTY)
MISC0
INFORM1
INFORM2
INFORM3
INFORM4
ROCK5
ROCK6
EASY LIS7
EASY LIS8
EASY LIS9
ROCK10
ROCK11
ROCK12
CLS/JAZZ13
CLS/JAZZ14
CLS/JAZZ15
R&B16
R&B17
MISC18
RELIGION19
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

AUDIO
208If no messages have been stored, or if there are no more
messages to be recalled, ºNO MSG STOREDº will appear on
the display, and the message display will be canceled. The
display then returns to show the program service name. The
message display will be canceled if you activate any function
that affects the display.
Message display can be canceled by pressing any of the
following buttons:
ºAMº, ºFMº, ºCDº, ºTAPEº, ºLOADº, ºSEEKº, ºTUNEº, any
preset, º
SCANº, any audio control, ºRDSº, or ºº. If the
current station is not a traffic program and traffic
announcements is off, pushing ºTRAFº will cancel the display.
The message will be canceled after the entire message has
been displayed.
(g) ºALERTº display
The alert program type sends emergency alert messages. The
radio will receive alert messages if it is on and tuned to an RDS
station, or if the previous station was an RDS station. If the
radio receives an alert announcement, it will interrupt the
previous mode, display ºALERTº .
Cassette tape player operation
(a) Playing a cassette tape
SV22058
When you insert a cassette tape, the exposed tape should
face to the right.
The player will automatically start when you insert a cassette
tape. At this time, ºPLAYº appears on the display.
If a metal or chrome equivalent cassette tape is put in the
cassette player, the player will automatically adapt to it and
ºMTLº appears on the display.
To stop or eject the cassette tape, push the ºEJECTº button.
Auto±reverse feature: After the cassette player reaches the
end of a tape, it automatically reverses and begins to play the
other side, regardless of whether the cassette was playing or
fast forwarding.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
226
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the trunk lid or back door
closed. Have the cause immediately located and
corrected.BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to ºONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
244
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(With vehicle skid control system)
The traction control system automatically help control the
spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting
driver control the driving power of the rear wheels. When
you turn the ignition switch on, the traction control
system always turns on automatically, and the slip
indicator light w ill come on. The indicator lights will go off
after a few seconds.
SV31037

Slip indicator light
Leave the system on during ordinary driving so that it can
operate when needed. When traction control is applied,
the slip indicator light blinks.
SV31033
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing
the ºTRAC OFFº switch. The ºTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing the
ºTRAC OFFº switch a second time turns the system back
on and extinguishes the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light.
You may hear a 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 traction control system is in the
self±check mode, and does not indicate malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel
vibration of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes.
This indicates the system is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the
traction control system will help operate to prevent the wheels
from spinning.
If the light flashes, this indicates a malfunction in the traction
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
245
Traction control system failure warning
SV31041
These lights warn that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle skid control system or traction control system.
The lights will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº,
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the ºVSCº warning light and ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light come on, the vehicle skid control system and traction
control system do not work. However, as conventional braking
operates when applied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
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:
 The ºVSCº warning light or ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light do not come on after the ignition is turned to on. 
The ºVSCº warning light and ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light remain on after the ignition is turned to on.
 The ºVSCº warning light and ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light come on while driving without pushing ºTRAC OFFº
switch.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which will cause the vehicle
to lose traction. In situations where the road surface is
covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted
with snow tires or tire chains. Always drive at an
appropriate and cautious pace.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
247
If the light flashes, this indicates a malfunction in the traction
control system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of
the vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system is
in operation. Do not drive the vehicle under any speed
or maneuvering conditions which will cause the vehicle
to lose traction. In situations where the road surface is
covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should be fitted
with snow tires or tire chains. Always drive at an
appropriate and cautious pace.
VEHICLE SKID CONTROL SYSTEM
The vehicle skid control system helps provide integrated
control of the systems such as an anti±lock brake system,
brake assist system, traction control, engine control, etc.
This system automatically controls the output of the
brakes or engine to help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road surface or abrupt
steering wheel operation occurs.
SV31037

Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator
light flashes and an alarm sounds intermittently.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle speed is
about more than 15 km/h (9 mph).
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
248You may hear a 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 vehicle skid control is in the
self±check mode and does not indicate a malfunction.
When
you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns
on.
Vehicle skid control system failure warning
SV31041
These lights warn that there is a problem somewhere in the
vehicle skid control system or traction control system.
The lights will come on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº,
and will go off after a few seconds.
If the ºVSCº warning light and ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light come on, the vehicle skid control system and traction
control system do not work. However, as conventional braking
operates when applied, there is no problem to continue your
driving.
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:
 The ºVSCº warning light or ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light do not come on after the ignition is turned to on.
 The ºVSCº warning light and ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light remain on after the ignition is turned to on.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
252ºABSº warning light
SV31014

U.S.A.
SV31031

CANADA
The light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºONº
position. If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
work properly, the light turns off after a few seconds.
Thereafter, if either of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system, the brake
assist system, the traction control system and/or the vehicle
skid control system do not operate, but the brake system still
operates conventionally.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system and/or the
traction
control system do/does not operate so that the wheels
could lock up during a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either 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.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ºONº position, or remains on.
 The light comes on while you are driving.
A warning light turning on briefly during operation does not
indicate a problem.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)