1998 Lexus ES 300 Owners Manual - Page 166

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated. B: If no steam is coming from your engine: Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check the following. D Is the cooling fan operating? D Is the coolant in the acceptable range? D Is the engine drive belt O.K.? When the engine overheats Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers. Put the transmission in "P" and apply the parking brake. A: If steam is coming from your engine: Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for assistance. CAUTION D When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away from the moving fan and engine drive belt. D Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure. If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer. If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your vehicle. If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your Lexus dealer. CAUTION To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high pressure. 166