headlight LEXUS SC300 1999 User Guide

SWITCHES
35
Daytime Running Light System
The headlights turn on at reduced intensity when the parking
brake is released with the engine started, even with the light
switch in the ºOFFº position. They will not go off until the
ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel
lights, twist the knob to the first clickstop.
Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the
headlights to full intensity for driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ºAUTOº), the
headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity and/or
turn on the other lights depending on the darkness of the
surroundings. Likewise, as the surroundings become
brighter, the headlights will turn to reduced intensity,
ultimately turning off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave
the lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.
HEADLIGHT DIMMER AND
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH

SWITCHES
36
For high beam, push the lever forward. Pull it back for
low beam. For the headlight flasher, pull it further back.
A blue light in the instrument cluster indicates high beam or
headlight flasher is on.
The headlight flasher works even when the headlight switch
is off.

SWITCHES
37
For signaling turns, move the lever up or down in the
conventional manner.
The ignition key must be in the ºONº position.
The turn signal is self±cancelling after a turn, but after a lane
change, you may have to cancel it by hand. You can also
signal a lane change by moving the turn signal lever partway
and holding it there.
If the green light in the instrument cluster flashes faster than
normal, it indicates that the front or rear turn signal bulb has
burned out. If this indicator light does not come on,
the fuse
or the indicator light itself has probably failed.
FOG LIGHT SWITCH
To turn on the fog lights, turn the switch to the ºONº
position. The fog lights come on only when the headlights
are on low beam.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
58
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.
(j) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned on
(at the first or second clickstop), it indicates that one or more
of the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one or more
stop lights are burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
(k) ºTRAC OFFº Indicator/Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº,
and will go off after about a few seconds. This means that the
system is operating properly.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.

The light remains on more than a few seconds after the
ignition switch is turned on.

The light comes on while driving even if the ºTRAC OFFº
switch is not pushed.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
64
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTCONTROL
To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights,
turn the knob.
When the headlight switch is in the first or second click stop,
you can also adjust the brightness of the displays on the audio
and air conditioning systems using this knob.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
109
OUTSIDE REAR VIEWMIRRORS
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 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 113.
When you push the rear window defogger switch, the heater
panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the
mirror surface.

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.

SECTION 1 ± 7
172
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Theft deterrent
Theft deterrent system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
172
Theft prevention labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
175
THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
To deter theft of the vehicle, this system is designed to give
an alarm if any of the doors, trunk or hood is forcibly
unlocked or the battery terminal is disconnected and then
reconnected while the vehicle is locked.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently and flashes the
headlights, tail lights and other exterior lights.

MAINTENANCE
313
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive
freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system s uch as buckles, retractors and
anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt
webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged. Accelerator pedal
Check
the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and all brakes released.

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.