length LEXUS SC300 1999 Owners Manual

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
105
ADJUSTMENT OF TELESCOPIC STEERING
COLUMN
To adjust the steering column length, push the control
switch forward or backward to set the steering wheel to
the desired position.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the steering column while the vehicle is moving.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
108ADJUSTMENT OF TELESCOPIC STEERING
COLUMN
To adjust the steering column length, push the lock r
elease
lever down, push or pull the steering wheel to the desired
position, and pull the lever fully up until a click is heard.
CAUTION

Do not adjust the steering column while the vehicle is
moving.

After adjusting the steering wheel, try moving it up and
down to make sure it is locked in position.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
118
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and well back
in the seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out of the r etractor
and insert the tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size and the
seat position.
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly. A
slow, easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you can
move around freely. When a passenger's shoulder
belt is completely extended and
is then retracted even slightly, the belt is locked in that
position and cannot be extended. This feature is used to hold
the child restraint system securely. (For details, see ºChild
restraintº on page 143.) To free the belt again, fully retract the
belt and then pull the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly pull
the belt and release it. You will then be able to smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
121
Rear seat belts
Sit up straight and well back in the seat. To fasten your
belt, pull it out of the retractor and insert the tab into the
buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size.
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly. A
slow, easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you can
move around freely. When a shoulder belt is completely
extended and is then retracted even slightly, the belt is locked
in that position and cannot be extended. This feature is used
to hold the child restraint system securely. (For details, see
ºChild restraintº on page 143.)
To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then pull the
belt out once more.If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly pull
the belt and release it. You will then be able to smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
124To release the belt, press the buckle release button and
allow the belt to retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull it out and check for
kinks or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted as it
retracts.
Seat belt extender
If your seat belt cannot be fastened securely because it is not
long enough, a personalized seat belt extender is available
from your Lexus dealer free of charge.
Please contact your local Lexus dealer so that the dealer can
order the proper required length for the extender. Bring the
heaviest coat you expect to wear for proper measurement and
selection of length. Additional ordering information is
available at your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender, observe the following.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in less
effectiveness of
the seat belt restraint system in case of vehicle
accident, increasing the chance of personal injury.

Never use the seat belt extender if you can fasten the seat
belt without it.

Remember that the extender provided for you may not be
safe when used on a different vehicle, or for another person
or at a different seating position than the one originally
intended for.

DRIVING TIPS
267
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differ ently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicle±trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when
towing:

Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and
all vehicle±trailer connections. After driving a short
distance, stop and recheck the lights and connections.
Practice turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an
area away from traffic until you learn the feel.

Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand
to the left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand
to the right to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure
is generally opposite to that when backing without a
trailer.) Also, just turn the steering wheel a little at a time,
avoiding sharp or prolonged turning. Have someone guide
you when backing to reduce the risk of an accident.

Because stopping distance may be increased,
vehicle±to±vehicle distance should be increased when
towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed,
allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you
and the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may
skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is
especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.

Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.

Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit
your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a
turn to avoid the need of sudden braking.

Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will
be closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn.
Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than
normal turning radius with your vehicle.

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely aff ect handling
of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to
the rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being
passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your
vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly
grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but
gradually. Never increase speed. If it is necessary to
reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you
make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes,
your vehicle and trailer will stabilize.

Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires
considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not
forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty
of room before changing lanes.

In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical
charging performance, do not use overdrive.
Transmission must be in the º4º position (SC400) or in the
º3º position (SC300).

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

BODY
405
SPECIFICATIONS
± DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTOverall length
Overall width
Overall height
Wheelbase
Tread ± Front ± Rear
Vehicle capacity weight (occupants + luggage)
4900 mm (192.9 in.) / 4890 mm (192.5 in.)*1
1800 mm (70.9 in.)
1350 mm (53.1 in.)*2
2690 mm (105.9 in.)
1520 mm (59.8 in.)
1525 mm (60.0 in.)
340 kg (750 lb.)
*1: without front license plate moulding *2: Unladen vehicle
± FUEL TANK
Capacity
78 L (20.6 gal., 17.2 lmp.gal.)