1999 LEXUS SC300 ECO mode

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
192
Cassette tape player operation
(a) Playing a cassette tape
1. Put the cassette into the slot, with the tape side to the right
and lightly push it in. The tape player will grasp the cassette
and slide it into place to play. If the radio is on when the
cassette is inserted, the radio will automatically turn off.
If the cassette is already in the slot, push the
(TAPE)
button.
At this time, ºTAPEº will appear on the display.
The tape player can also be turned on by pushing the
ºPWR.VOLº knob if the tape player was being used when the
system was turned off.
When a metal or chrome equivalent tape is inserted, the player
will automatically adapt to it and ºMETALº will appear on
the display.
2. If using a tape recorded with Dolby
 NR*, push the right
side of the ( B C) button to select the Dolby B
NR or Dolby C NR mode. The display will indicate which
Dolby noise reduction system is operating.
The Dolby B NR mode reduces tape noise by about 10 dB.
The Dolby C NR mode reduces tape noise by another 10 dB
or about 20 dB total. For best sound reproduction, select the
same NR mode that was used to record the tape. To play a tape
recorded without Dolby NR*, push the button until the Dolby
NR indicator disappears.

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
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
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
247
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing
the ºTRAC OFFº switch. The ºTRAC OFFº indicator/
warning light will then come on. Pushing the ºTRAC
OFFº switch a second time turns the system back on and
extinguishes the ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine
compartment when the engine is started. This means that the
traction control system is in the self±check mode, and does
not indicate malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel
vibration of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes.
This indicates the system is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the
traction control system will help operate to prevent the wheels
from spinning.

STARTING AND DRIVING
250
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to automatically
help prevent lock±up of the wheels during a sudden brake
or braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steering performance
of the vehicle under these circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately
10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the vehicle
decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle is
started. This means that the anti±lock brake system is in the
self±check mode, and does not indicate a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the anti±
lock brake system function is in action, you may feel the brake
pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to let the anti±
lock brake system work for you, just hold the brake pedal down
more firmly. Do not pump the brake in a panic stop. Pumping the
brake pedal makes the stopping distance longer.