Light Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 (OM53439U) Workshop Manual

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
86
SV15011a
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap slowly
counterclockwise, then pause slightly before removing it.
The removed cap can be stored on the back side of the fuel
filler door.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is
opened. When installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until
you hear a click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on. Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the
indicator lamp does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
 Make sure the cap is tightened securely to prevent
fuel spillage in case of an accident.
 Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for
replacement. It is designed to regulate fuel tank
pressure.
Refueling the vehicle
As soon as the correctly operated nozzle switches off
automatically for the first time, the tank is full. Do not try
to add more fuel, because fuel may spill out.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
90
FRONT SEATS
(POWER TYPE)
Front seat precautions
(on vehicles with SRS front airbags)
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (ªNHTSAº) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50Ð75
mm (2Ð3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
 Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
 Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it
hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non±slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
 If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward.
This points the airbag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by
NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Front passenger seat
CAUTION
The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with
considerable force, and can cause death or serious
injury especially if the front passenger is very close to
the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far
from the airbag as possible with the seatback adjusted,
so the front passenger sits upright.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
95
FRONT SEATS
(MANUAL TYPE)
Front seat precautions
(on vehicles with SRS front airbags)
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (ªNHTSAº) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50Ð75
mm (2Ð3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
 Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
 Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it
hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non±slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
 If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward.
This points the airbag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by
NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Front passenger seat
CAUTION
The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with
considerable force, and can cause death or serious
injury especially if the front passenger is very close to
the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far
from the airbag as possible with the seatback adjusted,
so the front passenger sits upright.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
97
Adjusting front seats
SS16001

1Seat position lock release lever
2Seat cushion front edge angle adjusting knob
3Seat cushion height adjusting knob
4Seatback angle lock release lever
Adjusting seat position
SS16003
Hold the center of the lever and pull it up. Then slide the
seat to the desired position with slight body pressure and
release the lever.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
106
TILT STEERING WHEEL
SV16064
To change the steering wheel angle, hold the steering
wheel, pull the lock release lever toward you, tilt the
steering wheel to the desired angle and release the lever.
When the steering wheel is in a low position, it will spring up as
you release the lock release lever.
CAUTION
 Do not adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is
moving. Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle
the vehicle and an accident may occur resulting in
death or injuries.
 After adjusting the steering wheel, try moving it up
and down to make sure it is locked in position.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
SV16010
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the side of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or distance of any object seen
in the outside rear view mirror on the passenger's side. It is a
convex mirror with a curved surface. Any object seen in a
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away than if seen in
a normal flat mirror.
When you push the rear window and outside rear view mirror
defogger switch or operate the wipers, the heater panels in the
outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the mirror surface.
(See º Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger, and
windshield wiper deicer switchº on page 34.)
Some models: When the inside rear view mirror darkens in
ºAUTOº mode, the outside rear view mirrors also darken to
reduce the reflection of the headlights of the following vehicle.
For details, see ºInside rear view mirrorº on page 108.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
108
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
SL16013

Type A 1Day 2Night
When driving at night, pull the lever toward you to reduce
the glare from the headlights of vehicles behind you.
Before adjusting the mirror to the position with most clarity,
push the day±night change lever forward (daylight driving
position).
Remember that by reducing glare you also lose some rear view
clarity.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle
and an accident may occur resulting in personal death
or injuries.
SV16128

Type B
Adjust the m irror so that you can just see the rear of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Pushing the switch changes the mode between ºAUTOº
and ºDAYº.
The indicator comes on when the ºAUTOº mode is selected.
ºDAYº mode: The mirror surface is normal.
ºAUTOº mode: If the mirror detects light from the
headlights of the vehicle behind you, the mirror surface
darkens slightly to reduce the reflected light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the outside
rear view mirror surfaces will also become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the inside rear
view mirror always turns on in the ºAUTOº mode.
When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a little
longer for the mirror to darken in response to the detection of
headlights.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 5
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly. A slow,
easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you can move
around freely.
When a passenger's shoulder belt is completely extended and
is then retracted even slightly, the belt is locked in that position
and cannot be extended. This feature is used to hold the child
restraint system securely.
(For details, see ºChild restraintº on
page 140.) To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then
pull the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly pull
the belt and release it. You will then be able to smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.
CAUTION
 After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the belt is not twisted.
 Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this
may prevent you from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
 If the seat belt does not function normally,
immediately contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use
the seat until the seat belt is fixed. It cannot protect
an adult occupant or your child from injury.
SV16014
Adjust the position of the lap and shoulder belts.
1Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips ± not
on your waist.
2Adjust it to a snug fit by pulling the shoulder portion
upward through the latch plate.
CAUTION
 Both high±positioned lap belts and loose±fitting
belts could cause serious injuries due to sliding
under the lap belt during a collision or other
unintended result. Keep the lap belt positioned as
low on hips as possible.
 For your safety, do not place the shoulder belt under
your arm.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 7
Rear center seat belt
SV16087

1Buckle with light gray buckle ±release button
2Buckle with red buckle ± release button
The rear center seat belt is a 3±point type restraint with 2
buckles. Both seat belt buckles must be correctly located and
securely latched for proper operation.
Make sure that buckle (with light gray buckle±release button)
is securely latched for ready use of the center seat belt.
SV16088
Two buckles and tabs for rear center seat belt.
The 2 buckles for the rear center seat belt are distinguished
with colors of the buckle release button. Also the 2 tabs have
different shape for its end so that the belt is not buckled in the
wrong place.
1Buckle with light gray buckle±release button ±
Properly matches with concave end tab
2Buckle with red buckle±release button ± Properly
matches with round end tab
CAUTION
Make sure the both buckles are correctly located and
securely latched. Failure to properly match the buckle
and tab may cause severe injury in case of an accident
or a collision.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 8
SV16089
To release the concave end tab, insert the key into the hole on
buckle (with light gray buckle±release button ) and allow the
belt to retract.
SV16090
CAUTION
Do not use the rear center seat belt with either buckle
released. Fastening only the shoulder belt or lap belt
may cause severe personal injury in case of sudden
braking or a collision.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
123
SV16061
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºACCº or ºONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the front seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensors, front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For
details, see ºService reminder indicators and warning buzzersº
on page 44.)
SV16068

1SRS warning light
2Front seat belt pretensioner assemblies
3Airbag sensor assembly
4Front airbag sensors
The front seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the
above components and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are activated, an
operating noise may be heard and a small amount of
smoke±like gas may be released. This gas is harmless and
does not indicate that a fire is occurring.
Once the front seat belt pretensioners have been activated, the
seat belt retractors remain locked.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)