fuel LEXUS SC300 1999 Owner's Manual

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
88
CAUTION

Make sure the cap is tightened securely to prevent fuel
spillage in case of an accident.

Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for replacement. It
has a built±in check valve to reduce fuel tank vacuum.
In case the opener is not actuated
Pull the manual lever toward the back.
This is used in case the fuel filler door cannot be opened due
to a discharged battery or other trouble.MOON ROOF

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
183
set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during
heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the
(A/C) button to turn the air conditioning on
and push it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will
improve fuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for
year±round automatic temperature control including cooling
and dehumidifying operation. If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the
(A/C) button will blink. If the indicator
of the (A/C) button blinks even when the (A/C)
button is pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
See º(a) Climate controlº for details on each button.
To remove interior fog on the windshield ±
Push the
(WINDSHIELD) button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield ±
1. Place the temperature control knob at the maximum
temperature.
2. Push the
(WINDSHIELD) button.
3. Push the right side of the fan speed control
(FAN)
button to set the fan speed at the maximum speed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
210
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible materials away from the
exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas
is very hot.
 Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything that
might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases flowing into the
three±way catalytic converter may cause it to overheat
and create a fire hazard. To prevent this and other
damage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
 Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running
out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, creating
an excessive load on the three±way catalytic converter.
 Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more
than 20 minutes.
 Avoid racing the engine.
 Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.
 Keep your engine in good running order.
Malfunctions in the engine electrical system,
electronic ignition system or fuel system could cause
an extremely high three±way catalytic converter
temperature.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, take your vehicle in for a check±up as soon
as possible. Remember, your Lexus dealer knows your
vehicle and its three±way catalytic converter system
best.
 To ensure that the three±way catalytic converter and
the entire emission control system operate properly,
your vehicle must receive the periodic inspections
required by the Lexus Maintenance Schedule. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the
separate ºOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.

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
216
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ºPº. If you need to restart the
engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in
ºNº. A starter safety device will prevent the starter from
operating if the selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until you
are ready to drive off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions
in ºBefore crankingº.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the
proper air±fuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or
hot engine as follows:1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine
by turning the key to ºSTARTº. Release it when the engine
starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready
to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for
a few minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while
the engine is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply
restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ºIf your vehicle will not startº on page 275.
NOTICE
 Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
 Do not race a cold engine.
 If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
220
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ºNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ºPowerº, ºNormalº or ºSnowº mode to
suit your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ºNormalº position to improve
fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving,
use the ºPowerº position.
In the ºPowerº position, the ºECT PWRº light in the
instrument cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at
higher vehicle speeds and shifted down more responsively
than in the ºNormalº position.
For ºSnowº mode, see ºElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 241.

STARTING AND DRIVING
221
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº position to improve fuel economy and
quiet driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive
gear is possible. However, while the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even in the ºDº position. (See º(b) Using
engine brakingº and º(f) Good driving practiceº for
exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting.

STARTING AND DRIVING
232
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ºNormalº
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select ºPowerº, ºNormalº or ºSnowº mode to
suit your driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the ºNormalº position to improve
fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving,
use the ºPowerº position.
In the ºPowerº position, the ºECT PWRº light in the
instrument cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at
higher vehicle speeds and shifted down more responsively
than in the ºNormalº position.
For ºSnowº mode, see ºElectronic Throttle Control
Systemº on page 241.

STARTING AND DRIVING
233
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº position to improve fuel economy and
quiet driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive
gear is possible. However, while the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even in the ºDº position. (See º(b) Using
engine brakingº and º(f) Good driving practiceº for
exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting.

STARTING AND DRIVING
241
ELECTRONIC THROTTLECONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
Normal, Power and Snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends
that you use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty
driving.