brake LEXUS SC300 1999 Workshop Manual

DRIVING TIPS
269
CAUTION

Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing speed
limit, whichever is lower. Because instability (swaying) of
a towing vehicle±trailer combination usually increases as
the speed increases, exceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may cause
loss of control.

Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long
downhill grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result in reduced braking efficiency.

DRIVING TIPS
270
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND
MAKE YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is
easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to save money
on both fuel and repairs:

Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.

Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.

Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.

Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.

Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.

Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or take advantage of
through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper
distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This
will also reduce wear on your brakes.

Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.

Do not r est your foot on the clutch or brake pedal. This
causes needless wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.

Maintain a m oderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.

Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid
hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.

Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.

Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A dirty
air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil
and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive
under severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives
more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the separate ºOwner's Manual

DRIVING TIPS
271
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your power
steering and brake booster will not function without the
engine running. Also, the emission control system operates
properly only when the engine is running.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
274
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLSWHILE DRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ºIf your vehicle will not startº.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work, so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
279
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery.
Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery.
(This helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and
burns.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During
jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the
accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order shown in the
illustration: positive terminal (º+º mark)±to±positive
terminal (º+º mark), and negative terminal (º±º
mark)±to±engine or body ground. Note that you first connect
the positive cable to the discharged battery and then to the
booster battery. Next, connect the negative cable to the
booster battery and then to a solid, stationary, unpainted
metallic point (e.g. SC400: brake booster vacuum pipe
bracket, SC300: cylin der head) away from the battery. Do not
connect it to or near any part that moves when the engine is
cranked.
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury, do not
lean over the battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
281
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ºPº and apply the
parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no
sign of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been
seriously damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for
assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
283
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place ± well away from
the traffic. A void stopping on the center divider of a highway.
Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in
ºPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from
traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the
possibility of personal injury:

Follow jacking instructions.

Do not put any part of your body under a vehicle supported
by a jack. Personal injury may occur.

Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.

Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº. Block the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if
necessary.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
304If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing eyelet. Use extreme
caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hard±surfaced
roads
for a short distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels,
axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good
condition.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
305
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid sudden
starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet and towing
cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in
towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the
towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in ºNº. The ignition key must be in ºACCº
(engine off) or ºONº (engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
306
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of ºPº position to
other positions even though the brake pedal is depressed,
use the shift lock override button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to ºLOCKº. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat±bladed screwdriver or
equivalent.