weight LEXUS SC300 1999 Owners Manual

SWITCHES
47
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat heater
because they may experience minor burns even at low
temperatures. Use extra caution for;

Baby, small child, elderly person, sick person or
handicapped person

Persons who have delicate skin

Persons who are exhausted

Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which induce
sleep (sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.).
To prevent the seat from overheating, do not use the seat
heater with a blanket, cushion, or other insulating objects
which cover the seat.
NOTICE

Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and
do not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the
seat.

When cleaning the seats, do not use organic
substances (paint thinner, benzine, alcohol, gasoline,
etc.). They may damage the heater and seat surface.

To prevent the battery from being discharging, turn
the switches on when the engine is running.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
80
LUGGAGE STOWAGEPRECAUTIONS
When stowing luggage or cargo in the vehicle, observe the
following:

Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.

Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as
far forward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.

For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
CAUTION

Do not place anything on the filler panel behind the rear
seatback. Such items may be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.

Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument
panel. They may interfere with the driver's field of view.
Or they may move during sharp vehicle acceleration or
turning, and impair the driver's control of the vehicle. In
an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle capacity
weight specified on the tire pressure label.

DRIVING TIPS
262
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load
are all within the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
CAUTION

DRIVING TIPS
263

The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load)
must not exceed 726 kg (1600 lb.). Exceeding this weight is
dangerous.

Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities
established by the hitch manufacturer. Even though the
vehicle may be physically capable of towing a higher
weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed
the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer hitch.
Exceeding the maximum weight rating set by the trailer
hitch manufacturer can cause an accident resulting in
serious personal injuries.

The gross vehicle weight must not exceed the Gross V ehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) indicated on the Certification
Label. The gross vehicle weight is the sum weight of the
unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and
trailer tongue load. It also includes the weight of any
special equipment installed on your vehicle.

The load on either the front or rear axle resulting from
distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must
not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed on
the Certification Label.

Tongue load
Total trailer weight x 100 = 9 to 11%
DRIVING TIPS
264


The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that
the tongue l oad is 9 to 11 % of the total trailer weight,
not exceeding the maximum of 90 kg (200 lb.).

Never load the trailer with more weight in the back
than in the front. About 60 % of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the trailer and the
remaining 40 % in the rear.

DRIVING TIPS
265
Hitches

If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer
should be consulted.

Use only a hitch which is recommended by Lexus dealer
and conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.

Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.

Lexus recommends removing the trailer hitch whenever
you are not towing a trailer to reduce the possibility of
additional damage caused by the hitch if your vehicle is
struck from behind. After removing the hitch, seal any
mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of
pollutants such as exhaust fumes, dirt, water, etc.

Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a
trailer so that the rear license plate can be seen clearly.
NOTICE

Install the trailer hitch using only the position
recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body
damage.

Do not use axle±mounted hitches as they can cause
damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires.
Brakes and safety chains

Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform
to any applicable federal and state/provincial
regulations.

A safety chain must always be used between the towing
vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should cross under the
trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated.
For correct safety chain procedur es, follow the hitch or
trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
CAUTION

If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1000 lb.), trailer
brakes are required.

Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system as it will
lower its braking effectiveness.

Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely
attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage
occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is possible
danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane.

DRIVING TIPS
266
Tires

Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
SC400, SC 300 ± Front 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi)
Rear 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32
psi)

The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
Trailer lights

Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial
and local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and
relays for your trailer. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct
splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule

Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for
the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the ºOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.

Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket
after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pre±towing safety check

Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose±up or nose±down condition, and check
for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or
other possible causes.

Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it
cannot shift.

Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulation. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
270
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND
MAKE YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is
easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money
on both fuel and repairs:

Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.

Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.

Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.

Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.

Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of
through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper
distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This
will also reduce wear on your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.

Do not r est your foot on the clutch or brake pedal. This
causes needless wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.

Maintain a m oderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid
hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.

Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A dirty
air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive
under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives
more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the separate ºOwner's Manual

CHASSIS
364The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the
vehicle capacity weight are given on the label.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at
least
once a month. And don't forget the spare! The pressure
for the spare tire should be same with that for the standard tire.
(See page 356 or 358.) Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire
life and make your vehicle less safe to drive.
Low tire pressure results in excessive wear, poor handling,
reduced fuel economy, and the possibility of blowouts from
overheated tires. Also, low tire pressure can cause poor
sealing of the tire bead. If the tire pressure is excessively low,
there is the possibility of wheel deformation and/or tire
separation. So keep your tire pressures at the proper level. If
a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer. High tire pressure produces a harsh ride, handling problems,
excessive wear at the center of the tire tread, and a greater
possibility of tire damage from road hazards.
The following instructions for checking tire pressure should
be observed:

The pressure should be checked only when the tires are
cold. If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours
and has not been driven for more than 1.5 km or 1 mile
since, you will get an accurate cold tire pressure reading.
 Always use a tire pr essure gauge. The appearance of the
tire can be misleading. Besides, tire pressures that are even
just a few pounds off can degrade handling and ride.
 Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is
normal for the tire pressure to be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The
passengers and luggage weight should be located so that
the vehicle is balanced.
 Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps. Without the valve
caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve core and
cause air leakage. If the caps have been lost, have new
ones put on as soon as possible.

CHASSIS
372
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or
heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, a tire may slip off a
wheel or they may cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they
may have been subjected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent wheels which have
been straightened may have hidden structural damage and
therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a
leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure
that they are equivalent to those rem oved in load capacity,
diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus
dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect
handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability,
headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and
tire or snow chain clearance to the body and chassis.
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
After driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000 miles),
check that the wheel nuts are tight.
 If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires, check
that the wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km
(1000 miles).
 When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the
aluminum wheels.
 Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed for
your aluminum wheels.
 When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus balance
weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber hammer.
 As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum
wheels for damage. If damaged, replace immediately.