engine LEXUS SC300 1999 Owner's Manual

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
52The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to
prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most
cases the slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This
may cause severe engine damage.
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER

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
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
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.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
70
To use the cigarette lighter and ashtray, first pull the
button. Then when the ashtray opens out, press in the
cigarette lighter. When it becomes heated, it
automatically pops out ready for use.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed in.
If the engine is not running, the ignition key must be in the
ºACCº position.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish it
in the ashtray to prevent other cigarette butts from catching
fire. After using the ashtray, push it back in completely.
To remove the ashtray, pull it out.
Use a Lexus genuine cigarette lighter or equivalent for
replacement.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
86
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the lever under the
instrument panel.
When refueling, turn off the engine.

THEFT DETERRENT
173
Setting the system
1. Turn the ignition key to the ºLOCKº position and
remove it.
The indicator light flashes by means of the engine
immobiliser system.
2. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and hood using an
ignition key or wireless remote control.If you lock them with wireless remote control, the turn signals
flash once.
The flashing indicator light changes to stay on when all the
doors, trunk and hood are closed and locked.
3. After 30 seconds, the indicator starts flashing and the
system is set.
Cancelling the system
When you unlock any door or trunk using an ignition key
or wireless remote control, the system is cancelled.
If you unlock any door or trunk with wireless remote control,
the turn signals flash twice.
Activating the system
The alarm sounds for 60 seconds if any of the following are
operated:


Unlocking any door or trunk without using an ignition key
or wireless remote control.

Opening the hood forcibly.

Reconnecting the battery.
If any door is unlocked and the ignition key is not in the
ignition switch during the alarm sounding, its door is
automatically locked.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
187
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave
the car audio on longer than necessary when the engine
is not running.
To ensure the correct audio system operation:


Be careful not to spill beverages over the audio system.

Do no put anything other than a cassette tape or CD
magazine into the cassette tape slot or CD changer.

The use of cellular phone inside or near the vehicle
may cause a noise from the speakers of the audio
system which you are listening to. However, this does
not indicate a malfunction.
You can listen to the car audio when the ignition key is at
ºONº or ºACCº. However, if the engine is not running,
the key must be in the ºACCº position.
You can adjust the brightness of the display. See ºInstrument
panel light control on page 64 for details.
Audio operation is described in detail on the following pages:

Radio operation ± See page 187.

Cassette tape player operation ± See page 192.

Compact disc player operation ± See page 196.
Radio operation
(a) Listening to the radio
1. Push the
(AM) or (FM1/2) button to turn the
radio on and select either an AM or FM broadcast.
ºAMº, ºFM1º or ºFM2º will appear on the display.
The radio can also be turned on by pushing the ºPWR.VOLº
knob if the radio was being used when the system was turned
off.
2. Turn the ºPWR.VOLº knob to adjust the volume.
3. Tune in the desired station. (See º(b) Selecting a stationº.)
The radio will change automatically to stereo reception when
an FM stereo broadcast is being received. At the same time
ºSTº will appear on the display. When the receiving signal
gets weak, the channel separation will automatically be
reduced for lowest noise. If the signal becomes extremely
weak, the radio will switch over to monaural reception.
4. Adjust the tone and sound balance. (See º(d) Adjusting the
toneº and º(e) Adjusting the sound balanceº.)
5. To turn the radio off, push the ºPWR.VOLº knob.

SECTION 3 ± 1
207
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
208
Engine exhaust caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
211
Before starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
212
Ignition switch with steering lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
212
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
215
How to start the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
216
Automatic transmission (SC400) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
217
Automatic transmission (SC300) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
229
Electronic throttle control system 241
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
.
242
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
246
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .