steering wheel LEXUS SC300 1999 User Guide

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
108ADJUSTMENT OF TELESCOPIC STEERING
COLUMN
To adjust the steering column length, push the lock r
elease
lever down, push or pull the steering wheel to the desired
position, and pull the lever fully up until a click is heard.
CAUTION

Do not adjust the steering column while the vehicle is
moving.

After adjusting the steering wheel, try moving it up and
down to make sure it is locked in position.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
128
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.

Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies.

Modification of the suspension system.

Modification of the front end structure.

Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snow plow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end.
In the following case, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:

If either front seat belt does not retract or cannot be pulled
out due to a malfunction or activation of the pretensioner.

The front seat belt retractor assembly or surrounding area
has been damaged.
SRS AIRBAGS
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags are
designed to provide further protection for the driver and
front passenger when added to the primary protection
provided by the seat belts.
In response to a severe frontal impact, the SRS airbags
work together with the seat belts to help prevent or r educe
injury by inflating, in order to decrease the likelihood of
the driver's or front passenger's head or chest directly
hitting the steering wheel or dashboard.
The passenger airbag is activated even with no passenger in
the front seat.
Be sure to wear
your seat belt.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
129
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger too close to the steering wheel
or dashboard during airbag deployment can be killed or
seriously injured. Lexus strongly recommends that:

The driver sit as far back as possible from the steering
wheel while still maintaining control of the vehicle.

The front passenger sit as far back as possible from the
dashboard.

All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using the
available seat belts.
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 SRS airbags are operating
properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assembly, inflators, warning light, interconnecting
wiring and power sources. (For details, see ºService
reminder indicators and warning buzzersº on page 53 for
instructions.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
133
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.
In a severe frontal impact, sensors detect deceleration and the
system triggers the airbag inflators. Then a chemical reaction
in the inflators momentarily fills the airbags with non±toxic
gas to help restrain the forward motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly loud noise.
And the driver airbag also releases some smoke and residue
along with non±toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. This
gas is normally harmless, however, for those who have
delicate skin, it may cause minor skin irritation. Be sure to
wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent minor skin
irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second,
so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious injuries, it may also
cause minor burns or abrasions and swellings. Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, dashboard)
may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags themselves
will
not be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may break the
windshield as the vehicle buckles. In vehicles with a
passenger airbag the windshield may also be damaged by
absorbing some of the force of the inflating airbag.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
139

Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad that houses the
driver and front passenger airbag system. They
might restrict inflation or cause death or serious
injury as they are pr ojected rearward by the force of
the deploying airbags. Likewise, the driver and
front passenger should not hold things in their arms
or on their knees.

Do not modify or r emove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove or open any components, such as the steering
wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover, front
passenger airbag cover, front passenger airbag, or
airbag sensor assembly. Doing any of these may
cause sudden SRS airbag inflation or disable the
system, which could result in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
140
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag system
in some cases.

Installation of electronic items such as a mobile
two±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.

Modification of the suspension system.

Modification of the front end structure.

Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snow plow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end.

Repairs made on or near the front fenders, console,
steering column, steering wheel or dashboard near the
front passenger airbag.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
143
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:


The SRS airbags have been inflated.

The front part of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) was
involved in an accident that did not cause the SRS airbags
to inflate.

The pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger
airbag cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting
your Lexus dealer.
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint systems for
children small enough to use them.
The laws of all fifty states in the U.S.A. now require the use
of a child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
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. See ºSeat beltsº on page 115 for details.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
171
CAUTION

Do not start the vehicle while the adjustments are being
made.

Take care not to select the wrong button, or the seat could
strike the rear passenger or hit your body against the
steering wheel. If this happens, you can stop the movement
by pressing another driving position memory switch, or
depressing the brake pedal.

STARTING AND DRIVING
212
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of
the windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the trunk lid closed. Have the
cause immediately located and corrected.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height
and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators
function when turning the key to ºONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK

STARTING AND DRIVING
214
ºLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ºACCº to the ºLOCKº position, you
must put the transmission selector lever in the ºPº position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set. See ºEngine immobiliser systemº on page
16.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ºLOCKº position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed
all the way in, and then rock the steering wheel slightly while
turning the key gently.If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key only to ºACCº.