1999 LEXUS SC300 service

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
52The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of
rpm (revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to
prevent engine overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most
cases the slower the engine speed, the greater the fuel
economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This
may cause severe engine damage.
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
53
This m
eter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the ºODO/TRIPº
button. E ach time you push the button, the mode changes
in order from the odometer to trip meter A to trip meter
B, then back to the odometer, etc.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. The twin trip meter records two different
distances independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel
economy and the other to measure the distance on each trip.
To set the A trip meter to zero, display the A meter
reading, then push the ºRESETº button. The same
applies for the B trip meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power
source is disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER
INDICATORS AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR
OR BUZZER COMES
ON ... DO THIS.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
54(a) If parking brake is
off, stop and
check.
(b) Fasten seat belts.
(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer
immediately.
(d) Stop and check.
(e) Stop and check. (f) Add engine oil.

(g) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(h) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(i) Close all doors.
(j) Replace bulb.
(k) Take vehicle to Lexus dealer.
(l) Add washer fluid.
(m) Low fuel level Fill up tank. warning light
(n) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
55
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released.
The light should go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow
down and pull off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully.
Remember that stopping distance and pedal effort may be
increased. There may be a problem somewhere in the brake
system. Check the fluid level of the see±through reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not caused the warning
light to come on, check to see that the parking brake is fully
released.
If the brake fluid level is low ...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.

If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive
cautiously to your nearest dealer or shop for repairs.

If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for
repairs. (For towing information, see page 297.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the brake
fluid level is low.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
56If the brake fluid level is correct ...
Have the warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the
reminder
light flashes and buzzer comes on if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light
stays flashing and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºACCº or ºONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS airbag system is operating
properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assembly, inflators, warning light, interconnecting
wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as described above or remains
on.

The light comes on while driving.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off
the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine
drive belt.

If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the
battery properly.

If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until
the battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus
dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken
or loose.
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road
to a safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus
dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
57
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling
or it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause
for concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated
slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low.
It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on ± even
for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil
as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ºChecking the
engine oil levelº on page 342.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes
the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves, this light may
come on due to the movement of engine oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will
damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº on
page 49 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely (SC400 only).
(See ºFuel tank capº on page 85 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem
somewhere in your engine or automatic
transmission electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ºc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
(h) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your
anti±lock brake system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to
ºONº, and will go off after about a few seconds.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system
warning light is off), the brake system operates
conventionally but anti±lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels could lock up during a
sudden brake or braking on slippery road surfaces.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
58
(i) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.
(j) Rear Light Failure Warning Light
If this light comes on when the headlight switch is turned on
(at the first or second clickstop), it indicates that one or more
of the tail lights are burned out.
If it comes on when the brake pedal is depressed, one or more
stop lights are burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
(k) ºTRAC OFFº Indicator/Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to ºONº,
and will go off after about a few seconds. This means that the
system is operating properly.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.

The light remains on more than a few seconds after the
ignition switch is turned on.

The light comes on while driving even if the ºTRAC OFFº
switch is not pushed.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
59
(l) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
(m) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(n) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open
the driver's door with the ignition key in the ºACCº or
ºLOCKº position.
How to check all the service reminder
indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off when you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It
goes off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºONº.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.