Lexus RX300 2001 - Suspension and Chassis

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CHASSIS

286

2001 Y RX300_U (OM48431U)

SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS

CAUTION

Do not modify the suspension/chassis with lift kits,

spacers, springs, etc. It can cause dangerous handling

characteristics, resulting in loss of control.

Main Page

Introduction2
How to Use this Manual4
Safety Symbol5
Safety and Vehicle Damage Warnings5
Instrument Panel7
Pictorial Index8
Instrument Cluster9
Two–Wheel Drive Models Sold in U.S.A9
Four–Wheel Drive Models Sold in U.S.A.11
Two–Wheel Drive Models Sold in Canada13
Four–Wheel Drive Models Sold in Canada15
Seat and Steering Wheel17
Exterior View18
Basic Operation Contents20
Driver's Seat21
Steering Wheel21
Automatic Transmission22
Lock Release Button22
Overdrive Switch22
Headlight and Turn Signal Switch23
Wiper Switch24
Instruments and Controls Contents26
Keys27
Flat Key27
Starting the Engine Using a Flat Key28
Engine Immobiliser System30
Wireless Remote Control32
Locking/Unlocking the Doors33
Sounding an Alarm34
Operating the Windows and Moon Roof34
Replacing the Battery36
Side Doors37
Locking with Key37
Locking with Inside Lock Knob38
Locking with Power Door Lock Switch38
Back Door39
Locking with Rear Door Child–Protector39
Locking and Unlocking with Key39
Instruments and Controls42
Headlight Switch43
Headlight Dimmer and Turn Signal Switch45
Automatic Headlight Leveling System45
Fog Light Switch46
Windshield Wiper and Washer Switch47
Rear Window Wiper and Washer Switch48
Rear Window and Outside Rear View Mirror Defogger49
Windshield Wiper Deicer Switch49
Power Window Switches50
Operating the Switches50
Operating the Window Lock Switch51
Operating the Windows from Outside the Vehicle51
Jam Protection Function52
Emergency Flasher Switch53
Seat Heater Switches53
Fuel Gauge57
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge57
Low Fuel Level Warning Light57
Normal Range57
Tachometer58
Odometer and Trip Meter59
Service Reminder Indicators and Warning Buzzers59
Brake System Warning Light61
Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer61
Front Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminder Light61
SRS Warning Light62
Discharge Warning Light62
Low Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light63
Malfunction Indicator Lamp63
“ABS” Warning Light64
Open Door Warning Light64
Rear Light Failure Warning Light64
Skid Control System and “TRAC OFF” Indicator/Warning Lights64
Vehicle Skid Control System Warning Light65
Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Warning Light65
How to Check All the Service Reminder Indicators66
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light66
Automatic Headlight Leveling System Warning Light66
Key Reminder Buzzer66
Cruise Information Display67
Driving Time68
Average Vehicle Speed68
Average Fuel Consumption68
Instrument Panel Light Control69
Momentary Fuel Consumption69
Interior Equipment Contents70
Vanity Mirrors71
Sun Visors71
Interior Lights72
Center Light72
Rear Light72
Personal Light73
Vehicles Without Moon Roof73
Vehicles with Moon Roof73
Ignition Switch Light74
Clock74
Outside Temperature Display75
Adjusting the Time75
Cigarette Lighter and Ashtray76
Power Outlets77
Rear Console Box78
Glove Box78
Garage Door Opener79
Programming the Homelink79
Operating the Homelink81
Erasing the Entire Homelink Memory81
Cup Holders82
Front Cup Holder82
Upper Console Position82
Overhead Console Box84
Rear Cup Holder84
Auxiliary Boxes85
Luggage Cover86
Floor Mat87
Tie-Down Hooks88
Luggage Stowage Precautions88
Exterior Equipment Contents90
Hood91
Fuel Tank Cap92
Moon Roof93
Operating the Moon Roof from Outside the Vehicle94
Comfort Adjustment Contents96
Front Seats97
Front Seat Precautions97
Seat Adjustment Precautions97
Adjusting Front Seats98
Adjusting Seat Position98
Adjusting Seatback Angle99
Adjusting Seat Cushion Angle and Height99
Adjusting Lumbar Support100
Flattening Seatbacks100
Rear Seats102
Sliding and Reclining Rear Seats102
Folding down Rear Seatbacks103
Before Folding down Rear Seatbacks103
Seat Belt Hanger103
Armrests104
Head Restraints105
Tilt Steering Wheel106
Outside Rear View Mirrors106
Power Rear View Mirror Control107
Inside Rear View Mirror108
Folding Rear View Mirrors108
Compass110
Compass Sensor111
Calibrating the Compass112
Zone Number112
Seat Belt Precautions114
Fastening Front and Rear Seat Belts115
Adjust the Position of the Lap and Shoulder Belts116
Seat Belt Extender118
Front Seat Belt Pretensioners119
Front Airbag Sensors120
SRS Airbags122
SRS Front Airbags122
SRS Side Airbags123
Move Seat Fully Back129
Child Restraint Precautions134
Child Restraint System135
Installation with 3-Point Type Seat Belt137
Convertible Seat137
Booster Seat137
Infant Seat Installation137
Convertible Seat Installation141
Booster Seat Installation146
Using a Top Strap148
Installation with Child Restraint Lower Anchorages151
Driving Position Memory153
Setting a Driving Position153
Activating a Memorized Position154
Theft Deterrent Contents156
Theft Deterrent System157
Setting the System157
Cancelling the System157
Activating the System157
Testing the System158
Theft Prevention Labels159
Air Conditioning and Audio Contents160
Automatic Air Conditioning Controls161
Air Flow Selection163
Climate Control164
Setting Operation165
Windshield Defogging and Defrosting167
Air Filter168
Operating Tips169
Side Vents169
Rear Vents169
Audio Contents170
Quick Reference for Your Audio System171
Using Your Audio System: some Basics173
Turning the System on and off173
Brightness Buttons175
Tone and Balance175
Your Radio Antenna176
Your Cassette Player176
Radio Operation177
Your Automatic Changer177
Listening to the Radio177
Presetting a Station178
Selecting a Station179
Cassette Tape Player Operation180
Playing a Cassette Tape180
Manual Program Selection181
Automatic Program Selection181
Compact Disc Player Operation183
Inserting Compact Discs183
Playing a Compact Disc185
Selecting a Desired Disc185
Searching for a Desired Track186
Searching for a Desired Disc186
Selecting a Desired Track187
Repeating a Track or a Disc187
Car Audio System Operating Hints188
Random Playing188
If the Player Malfunctions188
Radio Reception189
Fm189
Am189
Use High–Quality Cassettes190
Caring for Your Compact Disc Player and Discs190
Starting and Driving Contents194
Three-Way Catalytic Converter195
Engine Exhaust Caution196
Before Starting the Engine196
Ignition Switch with Steering Lock197
Parking Brake198
How to Start the Engine198
Before Cranking198
Normal Driving201
Using Engine Braking203
Using the “2” and “L” Positions204
Backing up204
Parking205
Good Driving Practice205
Rocking Your Vehicle if Stuck206
If You Cannot Shift the Selector Lever out of “P” Position206
Cruise Control207
Turning on the System207
Cruise Control Failure Warning209
Traction Control System210
Slip Indicator Light210
Traction Control System Failure Warning211
Vehicle Skid Control System213
Vehicle Skid Control System Failure Warning214
Brake System216
Brake Booster216
Anti–Lock Brake System217
Brake Assist System219
Brake Pad Wear Limit Indicators220
Limited-Slip Differentials220
Types of Tires221
Summer Tires221
All Season Tires221
Starting and Driving222
Driving Tips Contents222
Off-Road Vehicle Precautions223
Break-In Period224
Operation in Foreign Countries224
Tips for Driving in Various Conditions224
Off-Road Driving Precautions225
Winter Driving Tips227
Dinghy Towing228
Dinghy Towing Tips229
Trailer Towing230
Weight Limits230
Certification Label230
Total Trailer Weight231
Tongue Load231
Hitches232
Trailer Ball232
Matching Trailer Ball Height to Trailer Coupler Height233
Brakes and Safety Chains234
Tires234
Trailer Lights235
Break–In Schedule235
Maintenance235
Pre–Towing Safety Check235
Trailer Towing Tips236
How to Save Fuel and Make Your Vehicle Last Longer238
In Case of an Emergency Contents240
If Your Engine Stalls While Driving241
If Your Vehicle will Not Start241
Simple Checks241
Starting a Flooded Engine242
Jump Starting242
Jump Starting Procedure244
If Your Vehicle Overheats245
When the Engine Overheats245
If You Have a Flat Tire246
Access to Spare Tire247
Changing Procedure248
To Remove the Spare Tire249
If Your Vehicle Needs to be Towed254
Towing Precautions254
Towing with a Wheel Lift Type Truck255
Using a Flat Bed Truck256
From Rear256
Tie down Points256
Rear Emergency Towing Eyelets257
Towing with a Sling Type Truck258
Emergency Towing259
Emergency Towing Eyelet Precautions260
Tips for Towing a Stuck Vehicle260
If You Cannot Shift Automatic Transmission Selector Lever261
If You Lose Your Keys or Lock Yourself out262
Maintenance Contents264
Maintenance Requirements265
General Maintenance265
Scheduled Maintenance265
What about Do–It–Yourself Maintenance?266
Vehicle Exterior266
General Maintenance266
Vehicle Interior267
Engine Compartment268
Does Your Vehicle Need Repairing?269
Service Procedures and Specifications Contents272
Vehicle Identification273
Engine Compartment Overview274
Do-It-Yourself Service Precautions275
Parts and Tools276
Checking the Engine Oil Level276
Checking the Engine Coolant Level276
Checking Brake Fluid277
Checking Power Steering Fluid277
Checking Battery Condition277
Checking and Replacing the Blade Type Fuses277
Positioning the Jack278
Engine Contents280
Specifications281
Fuel Type283
Octane Rating283
Gasoline Containing Detergent Additives283
Quality Gasoline283
Cleaner Burning Gasoline284
Oxygenates in Gasoline284
Sulfur in Gasoline284
Gasoline Containing MMT284
Fuel Pump Shut off System285
Facts about Engine Oil Consumption285
Functions of Engine Oil285
Engine Oil Consumption285
Used Engine Oil286
Importance of Engine Oil Level Check286
Checking the Engine Oil Level287
Engine Oil Selection288
Checking the Engine Coolant289
Oil Identification Marks289
Coolant Type Selection290
Spark Plugs291
Chassis Contents292
Checking Brake Fluid296
Checking Tire Pressure298
Rotating Tires299
Checking and Replacing Tires299
When to Replace Your Tires299
Uniform Tire Quality Grading300
Tire Selection301
Installing Snow Tires and Chains302
When to Use Snow Tires or Chains302
Snow Tire Selection302
Snow Tire Installation302
Tire Chain Selection303
Chain Installation303
Replacing Wheels304
Aluminum Wheel Precautions304
When to Replace Your Wheels304
Wheel Selection304
Suspension and Chassis305
Electrical Components Contents306
Fuse Locations307
Fuses307
Driver’s Side Instrument Panel308
Precautions310
Checking Battery Condition310
Checking Battery Exterior311
Checking Battery Fluid312
Checking by Hydrometer312
Battery Recharging Precautions313
Checking the Cartridge Type Fuses316
Adding Washer Fluid317
Checking the Headlight Aim318
Adjusting the Vertical Aiming318
Replacing Light Bulbs319
Light Location319
Body Contents322
Protecting Your Vehicle from Corrosion324
Washing and Waxing325
Hand–Washing Your Lexus325
Automatic Car Wash326
Waxing Your Lexus326
Cleaning the Interior327
Leather Interior327
Synthetic Leather Areas328
Carpets, Windows and Seat Belts328
Air Conditioning Control Panel, Car Audio329
Instrument Panel, Console Panel, and Switches329
Gas Station Information332

Lexus RX300 2001 - Suspension and Chassis

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