battery LEXUS SC300 1999 Owner's Manual

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
276
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to ºSTARTº with the accelerator
pedal held down. Continue this operation for 30 seconds and
then stop cranking. Then try starting the engine with your foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking,
release the key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer
Service Assistance. (See ºForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your
vehicle which might result from battery explosion, acid
burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic
components, these instructions must be followed
precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
277
(See ºForewordº.)
CAUTION


Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous and
corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when jump
starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin, clothing, or
vehicle.

If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in your
eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and flush the
affected area with water immediately. Then get immediate
medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with
a sponge or cloth while en route to the medical office.

The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if a
flame or spark is brought near. Use only standardized
jumper cables and do not smoke or light a match while
jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump
start unless you are sure that the booster battery is
correct.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
279
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery.
Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery.
(This helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and
burns.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During
jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the
accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order shown in the
illustration: positive terminal (º+º mark)±to±positive
terminal (º+º mark), and negative terminal (º±º
mark)±to±engine or body ground. Note that you first connect
the positive cable to the discharged battery and then to the
booster battery. Next, connect the negative cable to the
booster battery and then to a solid, stationary, unpainted
metallic point (e.g. SC400: brake booster vacuum pipe
bracket, SC300: cylin der head) away from the battery. Do not
connect it to or near any part that moves when the engine is
cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury, do not
lean over the battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
2805. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it
at about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order:
the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may
now contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked.
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.

MAINTENANCE
314
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time,
e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 396
for additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and Lower
lines on the see±through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 347 for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have
to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 380 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 359 for
additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 342 for additional
information.Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the
ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 361 for additional information.
Engine fan fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in
ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 349 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or smell
exhaust fumes, have the cause located and corrected
immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in Section 3±1.)

INTRODUCTION
325

Right after driving, the engine compartment ± the
engine, radiator, exhaust manifold and power
steering fluid reservoir, etc. ± will be hot. So be
careful not to touch them. Oil and other fluids may
also be hot.

Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
near fuel or the battery. Their fumes are fl ammable.

Be extremely cautious when working on the battery.
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Al ways use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.

Use eye protection whenever you work on or under
your vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc.
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.

Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you
have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive
engine wear could result. Also backfiring could cause
a fire in the engine compartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or the
transmission could be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the
wiper frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
do±it±yourself maintenance. Remember all Lexus parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):

Use API grade SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade
engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For
recommended oil viscosity, see page 346.
Tools:

INTRODUCTION
327
Checking battery condition
Non±maintenance batteries
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteries
Parts (if level is low):

Distilled water
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)

Coin (for vent plugs)

Funnel (only for adding distilled water)
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Checking the cartridge type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same amperage
rating as original
Adding washer fluid
Parts:

Water

Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Tools:

Funnel

ENGINE
333
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Maintenance type battery Specific gravity reading at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge Slow charge
± Non±maintenance battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is
removed with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE
336± IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
PK16TR11
BKR5EKPB11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Maintenance type battery Specific gravity reading at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge Slow charge
± Non±maintenance battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is
removed with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

SECTION 6 ± 4
374
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical components
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
374
Checking battery condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
380
Battery recharging precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
386
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . .
388
Checking the cartridge type fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
393
Adding washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
396
Checking the headlight aim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
396
Replacing light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
399
SPECIFICATIONS
±LOCATION OF FUSES