SECTION 2 – 1

1412001 MY RX300_U (OM48431U)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIOAir conditioningAutomatic air conditioning controls 142. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For vehicles equipped with Navigation System,please refer to the separate “Owner’s Manual forNavigation System”.

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142 2001 MY RX300_U (OM48431U)

AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS

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�You can adjust the brightness of the display. See page156 for details.

The automatic air conditioning automatically maintainsthe set temperature.

This air conditioning features automatic fan speed and air flowcontrol which automatically selects the most suitable fanspeed and air flow to control the temperature. The ignition keymust be in the “ON” position.

NOTICE

To prevent the battery from being discharged, do notleave the air conditioning on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.

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1 Temperature display (in degrees Fahrenheit orCentigrade)

2 Fan speed display

3 Air flow display

4 Automatic control button

5 Temperature control knob

6 OFF button

7 Front windshield button

8 Air intake control button

9 Air conditioning on–off button

10 Fan speed control knob

11 Air flow control button

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�Air flow selection

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(a) Climate controlSETTING OPERATION – automatic control

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1. Push the “AUTO” button.

An indicator light will illuminate to show that the automaticoperation mode has been selected.

Air flow quantity, switching of the diffusers, on–off of the airconditioning and switching of the air intake betweenRECIRCULATED AIR and OUTSIDE AIR are automaticallyadjusted. The operation status is shown by each indicator.

When one of the manual control buttons is depressed whileoperating in automatic mode, the mode relevant to thedepressed button is set. Other conditions continue to beadjusted automatically.

Push the “OFF” button to turn the air conditioning system off.

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2. Turn the “TEMP” knob until the desired temperature isdisplayed.

The “TEMP” knob is used to set the desired passengercompartment temperature. The temperature of air deliveredto the passenger compartment will be controlled automaticallyaccording to the setting. The figures on the panel indicatedegrees Fahrenheit or Centigrade.

When you adjust the temperature selector knob to maximumcooling, a “MAX. COLD” message will appear on the displayand the air intake mode will be automatically changed toRECIRCULATE AIR mode.

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146 2001 MY RX300_U (OM48431U)

SETTING OPERATION – manual control

When one of the manual control buttons is depressedwhile operating in automatic mode, the mode relevant tothe depressed button is set. Other conditions continue tobe adjusted automatically.

If manual air flow selection is desired –

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The outlets from which air is delivered can be selectedmanually by pushing the button. The function of each mode isas follows:

1 Panel – Air flows mainly from the instrument panel vents.

2 Bi–level – Air flows from both the floor vents and theinstrument panel vents.

3 Floor – Air flows mainly from the floor vents. Unheatedair is also delivered through the side vents during heating.

4 Floor/Windshield – Air flows mainly from the floor ventsand windshield vents. Unheated air is also deliveredthrough the side vents during heating.

If quick heating or cooling is desired –

Turn the “TEMP” knob until “MAX. HOT” or “MAX. COLD”appears on the display.

When the “MAX. COLD” is selected, the air intake isautomatically set to RECIRCULATED AIR mode.

If manual fan speed control is desired –

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� 1 Toward low fan speed 2 Toward high fan speed

The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by turning thefan speed control button. The higher the fan speed is, the moreair is delivered. Pushing the “OFF” button turns off the fan.

To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speedsetting.

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1472001 MY RX300_U (OM48431U)

If manual switching of air intake is desired –

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The air intake control button is used to switch the air intakebetween the OUTSIDE AIR mode and RECIRCULATED AIRmode. The indicator on the switch shows which mode isselected.

� With the indicator on – For RECIRCULATED AIR mode

� With the indicator off – For OUTSIDE AIR mode

For normal use, it is best to keep the setting to OUTSIDE AIRmode. If recirculated air is used during heating, the windowswill fog up more easily.

If the engine coolant temperature becomes extremely high, theRECIRCULATED AIR mode is automatically selected. This isnot a malfunction. When the engine coolant temperature islowered, the previous mode resumes.

To prevent fogging up of the windshield, the air intake modemay change automatically to OUTSIDE AIR mode dependingon the condition of the air conditioning system.

If manual on–off of the air conditioning is desired –

Push the “A/C” button to turn the air conditioning on and pushit again to turn the air conditioning off.

The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperatureis lowered down to around 0�C (32�F).

If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather orremoving frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the airconditioning off once it is no longer required. This will improvefuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for year–roundautomatic temperature control including cooling anddehumidifying operation.

If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, theindicator of the “A/C” button will blink. If the indicator of the“A/C” button blinks even when the “A/C” button is pushedagain, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexusdealer.

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148 2001 MY RX300_U (OM48431U)

(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting

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To remove interior fog on the windshield –

Push the “FRONT WINDSHIELD” button.

To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield –

1. Turn the “TEMP” knob at the maximum temperature.

2. Push the “FRONT WINDSHIELD” button.

3. Turn the “FAN SPEED CONTROL” button to obtain amaximum air flow.

4. Leave the air conditioning on–off button off.

When the “FRONT WINDSHIELD” button is pushed, air flowsmainly from the windshield vents and the OUTSIDE AIR modeis automatically set. This setting clears the front view morequickly.

If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,push the air intake control button once again.

Pushing the “FRONT WINDSHIELD” button turns on thedefroster–linked air conditioning. This is to clean up the frontview more quickly.

Pushing the “FRONT WINDSHIELD” button once againreturns the air flow mode to the last one used.

CAUTION

Do not use the “FRONT WINDSHIELD” button duringcooled air operation in extremely humid weather. Thedifference between the temperature of the outside airand that of the windshield could cause the outer surfaceof the windshield to fog up blocking your vision.

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(c) Air filterThe air filter may clog after long use and reduce air flow. Youcan inspect the filter easily.

When you inspect and replace the air filter, be sure to turn offthe fan.

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1. Open the glove box and remove the two covers.

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2. Take out the air filter.

3. Inspect the lower surface of the filter.

If it is just moderately dusty, it may be cleaned by blowingcompressed air from the lower surface. Do not wash or oil thefilter.

If it is dirty, it should be replaced. To maintain the airconditioning efficiency, replace the air filter according to themaintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenanceinformation, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Maintenance Schedule”.)

NOTICE

Do not drive with the air filter removed, or the ef ficiencyof air conditioning may be lost.

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(d) Operating tips� 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 dashboardvents. (See “Side vents” and “Rear vents”.)

� To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot sun,drive for the first few minutes with the windows open. Afterthe excess heat has blown away, close the windows.

� When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dustthrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle afterclosing the windows, it is recommended that the air intakecontrol button be left to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the fanspeed control button be pressed to anywhere except the“OFF” button.

� If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving inwindy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the airintake control button be temporarily pressed in to theRECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close off the outsidepassage and prevent outside air and dust from entering thevehicle interior.

Side vents

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The side vents may be opened or closed as shown.

Rear vents

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The rear vents may be opened or closed as shown.