LEXUS SC300 1999 Owners Manual

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
113
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
Adjust the mirror 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
114
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving. It may
cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident may
occur resulting in personal injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
115
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in the
vehicle be properly restrained at all times with the seat belts
provided. Failure to do so could increase the chance of injury
and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child
until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the
vehicle's seat belts. See ºChild restraintº for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child
should sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using the
vehicle's seat belt. According to accident statistics, the child
is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the
front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should be
worn properly. Do not let the child sit on your lap. It does not
provide sufficient restraint. If an accident occurs and the seat
belts are not worn properly, the force of the rapid inflation of
the airbag may cause severe injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear or
front seats. An unrestrained child could suffer serious injury
during emergency braking or a collision.
Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a seat belt.
Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt
should be worn securely and as low as possible over the hips
and not on the waist. Injured person. Lexus recommends the use of a seat belt.
Depending on the injury, first check with your doctor for
specific recommendations.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
116
CAUTION
Persons should ride in their seats properly wearing their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is moving. Otherwise, they are
much more likely to suffer serious bodily injury in the event
of sudden braking or a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe the following:

Use the belt for only one person at a time. Do not use a
single belt for two or more people ± even children.

Avoid reclining the seatbacks too much. The seat belts
provide maximum protection when the seatbacks are in the
upright position. (See ºAdjusting seatback angleº.)

Be careful not to damage the belt webbing or hardware.
Take care that they do not get caught or pinched in the seat
or doors.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
117

Inspect the belt system periodically. Check for cuts,
fraying, and loose parts. Damaged parts should be
replaced. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

Keep the belts clean and dry. If they need cleaning,
use a mild soap solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive cleaners ± they may
severely weaken the belts. (See ºCleaning the
interiorº on page 409 for instructions.)

Replace the belt assembly (including bolts) if it has
been used in a severe impact. The entire assembly
should be replaced even if damage is not obvious.
Front seat belts
Make sure the seat belt hanger is secured in raised
position. If it is not, be sure to raise the seat belt hanger
until it locks in position.
You will hear a click when the seat belt hanger locks in
position.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
118
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and well back
in the seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out of the r etractor
and insert the tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size and the
seat position.
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 143.) 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
119
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.
Adjust the position of the lap and shoulder belts.
Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips ± not on
your waist, then adjust it to a snug fit by pulling the shoulder
portion upward through the latch plate.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
120
CAUTION

High±positioned lap belts and loose±fitting belts both could
cause severe injuries due to sliding under the lap belt
during a collision or other unintended result. Keep the lap
belt positioned as low on hip as possible.

For your safety, do not place the shoulder belt under your
arm.
To release the belt, press the buckle release button and
allow the belt to retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull it out and check for
kinks or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted as it
retracts.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
121
Rear seat belts
Sit up straight and well back in the seat. To fasten your
belt, pull it out of the retractor and insert the tab into the
buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size.
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 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 143.)
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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
122
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.

This vehicle is equipped with two seat belts in the rear seat.
For the safety of passengers, do not let three people ride in
the rear seat.