flat tire LEXUS SC300 1999 Owners Manual

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
iv
SECTION 2 ± AIR CONDITIONING AND
AUDIO
The features of the vehicle's air conditioning and audio are
explained in detail. Be sure to read this section so that you can
make full use of them.
SECTION 3 ± STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the engine, driving, stopping, operation of features
affecting vehicle handling, hints on vehicle safety and safe
driving techniques are all explained. Please read everything
in this section, and remember ± drive safely!
SECTION 4 ± IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
This section explains what to do in the event of an urgent
situation such as the engine not starting or getting a flat tire,
etc. If such a problem occurs, check the contents of this
Owner 's Manual and follow the instructions given.
SECTION 5 ± MAINTENANCE
This section explains the importance of regular maintenance.
Regular and periodic inspection and maintenance of your
Lexus will help to keep your vehicle in its best condition.
SECTION 6 ± SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are provided
here for your reference should you wish to perform inspection
and maintenance yourself.
INDEX
The page number is listed for each item in the Owner's
Manual so that you can rapidly find the item and page you are
searching for.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
The information you need to know for appropriate servicing
at the gas station is provided here.
QUICK INDEX
This is designed so that you can quickly find the needed
information when an urgent situation arises.
Safety symbol

DRIVING TIPS
266
Tires

Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
SC400, SC 300 ± Front 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi)
Rear 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32
psi)

The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
Trailer lights

Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial
and local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and
relays for your trailer. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct
splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical system and
cause a malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule

Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for
the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance

If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the ºOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.

Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket
after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pre±towing safety check

Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose±up or nose±down condition, and check
for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or
other possible causes.

Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it
cannot shift.

Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulation. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.

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

SECTION 4
273
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
274
If your vehicle will not start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
275
If your vehicle overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
280
If you have a flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
283
If your vehicle needs to be towed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
297
If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever . . .
306
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
307

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
284

Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with jack improperly positioned
will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to
fall off the jack and cause personal injury.

Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.

Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during
wheel changing.

Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.

When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or
under the jack.

Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and
change the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even
a short distance can damage a tire beyond repair.
Changing procedure
1. Get the tool, jack and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize
yourself with the use of the jack and each tool, and their
storage locations.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
287
2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep
the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block in front of the
front wheels or behind the rear wheels.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
290
5. After making sure no one is in the vehicle, raise it high
enough so that the spare tire can be installed.
Allow for the fact that you need more ground clearance when
putting on the spare tire than when removing the flat tire.
To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is
a loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the
vehicle and begins to lift, double±check that it is properly
positioned.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
291
CAUTION
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported by
the jack alone.
6. Remove the wheel nuts and remove the flat tire.
Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
2969. After
changing the wheel, check the air pr essure of the
replaced tire. Stow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to the
nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and moisture
could get into the valve core and possible cause air leakage.
If the cap is missing, put a new one on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your tires.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are
securely in place in their storage location to reduce the
possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden
braking.