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

65S011-4
65S012-4
PICTORIAL INDEX
xvii
EXTERIOR VIEW
Page
1 Rear window defogger 39 . . .
2 Trunk lid 83
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Fuel filler door . 85 . . . . . . .
4 Hood 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Headlights 32, 399
. . . . . . . .
6 Moon roof 88
. . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Outside rear view mirror 109
8 Door 27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Windshield wiper and washer
38
10 Tire and wheel 363 . . . . . . . .
For detailed information, refer to
the description given in each
section.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
80
LUGGAGE STOWAGEPRECAUTIONS
When stowing luggage or cargo in the vehicle, observe the
following:

Put luggage or cargo in the trunk when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.

Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as
far forward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.

For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.
CAUTION

Do not place anything on the filler panel behind the rear
seatback. Such items may be thrown about and possibly
injure people in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.

Do not drive with objects left on top of the instrument
panel. They may interfere with the driver's field of view.
Or they may move during sharp vehicle acceleration or
turning, and impair the driver's control of the vehicle. In
an accident they may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the vehicle capacity
weight specified on the tire pressure label.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
117

Inspect the belt system periodically. Check for cuts,
fraying, and loose parts. Damaged parts should be
replaced. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

Keep the belts clean and dry. If they need cleaning,
use a mild soap solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive cleaners ± they may
severely weaken the belts. (See ºCleaning the
interiorº on page 409 for instructions.)

Replace the belt assembly (including bolts) if it has
been used in a severe impact. The entire assembly
should be replaced even if damage is not obvious.
Front seat belts
Make sure the seat belt hanger is secured in raised
position. If it is not, be sure to raise the seat belt hanger
until it locks in position.
You will hear a click when the seat belt hanger locks in
position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
208248
Brake pad wear limit indicators
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
254
Types of tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .
255
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER

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
248
Traction control failure warning
If the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble
in the traction control system.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of the
vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious pace.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either sub±system
should fail, the other will still work. However, the pedal will
be harder to press, and your stopping distance will be longer.
Also, the brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
251
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake
system may indicate hazardous road surface conditions.
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in providing
vehicle control, it is still important to drive with all due care,
because
the anti±lock brake system cannot overcome the laws
of physics that act on your vehicle:
 Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the
road surface. 
Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a
driver cannot maintain full control on certain slippery road
surfaces, when cornering at high speeds, or in violent
maneuvers.
 Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake
system cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss
of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with an anti±lock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer stopping
distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has
other differences in surface height.

STARTING AND DRIVING
255
TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally
equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited to
highway driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction
performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow±covered or icy roads. For driving on
snow±covered or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow
and to be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as
well as for use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose
snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and
handling performance compared with summer tires in
highway driving.

STARTING AND DRIVING
256
CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season tires on your vehicle as
this can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's designated
tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the sizes different
from the originals.