stop LEXUS SC300 1999 User Guide

SWITCHES
45
To turn on the emergency flashers, push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. The emergency flashers
will work with the engine running or off and with or without
the ignition key.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn other drivers if you
must stop your vehicle where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible.
The turn signal light switch will not work when the
emergency flashers are in operation.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave
the switch on longer than necessary when the engine is
not running.
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
51
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when
the ignition switch is on. The engine operating
temperature
will vary with changes in weather and engine
load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle
and allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating
conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.

Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.

Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop±and±go traffic.

Towing a trailer.
NOTICE

Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling
system as this may cause the engine to overheat. The
thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant to
keep the temperature of the engine within the specified
operating range.

Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº on page 280.
TACHOMETER

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
54(a) If parking brake is
off, stop and
check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer
immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check. (f) Add engine oil.

(g) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Add washer fluid.
(m) Low fuel level Fill up tank. warning light
(n) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
55
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released.
The light should go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow
down and pull off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully.
Remember that stopping distance and pedal effort may be
increased. There may be a problem somewhere in the brake
system. Check the fluid level of the see±through reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not caused the warning
light to come on, check to see that the parking brake is fully
released.
If the brake fluid level is low ...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.

If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive
cautiously to your nearest dealer or shop for repairs.

If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for
repairs. (For towing information, see page 297.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the brake
fluid level is low.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
56If the brake fluid level is correct ...
Have the warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the
reminder
light flashes and buzzer comes on if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light
stays flashing and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) SRS Airbag Warning Light
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 airbag system is operating
properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assembly, inflators, warning light, interconnecting
wiring and power sources.
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 does not come on as described above or remains
on.

The light comes on while driving.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off
the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine
drive belt.

If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.

If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until
the battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus
dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken
or loose.
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road
to a safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus
dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
57
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling
or it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause
for concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated
slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low.
It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on ± even
for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil
as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ºChecking the
engine oil levelº on page 342.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes
the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves, this light may
come on due to the movement of engine oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will
damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº on
page 49 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely (SC400 only).
(See ºFuel tank capº on page 85 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem
somewhere in your engine or automatic
transmission electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ºc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
(h) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your
anti±lock brake system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ºONº, and will go off after about a few seconds.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the brake system operates
conventionally but anti±lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels could lock up during a
sudden brake or braking on slippery road surfaces.

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
63
º± ±º, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer.
(2) Driving time
(Figures with ºE/Tº)
The total time during the engine running is displayed.
When the engine is started again after the ignition is off, the
driving time is added to the previous value. Up to 99 hours
59 minutes can be displayed. When the driving time exceeds
99 hours 59 minutes, the display returns to 0 and recounting
starts.
To count from the beginning, push the ºMODE/RESETº
button for more than 1 second.
(3) Average vehicle speed(Figures with ºAVG MPHº)
The average vehicle speed is calculated and displayed
based on the total driving distance and the total driving
time with the engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ºMODE/RESETº
button for more than 1 second.
(4) Average fuel consumption(Figures with ºAVG MPGº)
The average fuel consumption is calculated and displayed
based on the total driving distance and the total fuel
consumption with the engine running.
The value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ºMODE/RESETº
button for more than 1 second.
(5) Momentary fuel consumption(Figures with ºMPGº)
The momentary fuel consumption is calculated and
displayed based on the driving distance and the fuel
consumption for 3 seconds with the engine running.
The value is updated every 3 seconds.
If you are driving at low speeds just before stopping, the
accurate figure may not be shown.
For the display (1), (3), (4) or (5), º± ±º will appear\
in case
the data for calculation is not appropriate.

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.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
71
Rear ashtray
To use the ashtray, pull on the lid.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish it
in the ashtray to prevent other cigarette butts from catching
fire. After using the ashtray, close the lid completely.
To remove the ashtray, pull it out while pressing on the snuffer
bridge to release the catch.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or sudden
stop while driving, always close the ashtray completely after
using.