1999 LEXUS SC300 heating

SWITCHES
47
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat heater
because they may experience minor burns even at low
temperatures. Use extra caution for;

Baby, small child, elderly person, sick person or
handicapped person

Persons who have delicate skin

Persons who are exhausted

Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which induce
sleep (sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.).
To prevent the seat from overheating, do not use the seat
heater with a blanket, cushion, or other insulating objects
which cover the seat.
NOTICE

Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and
do not stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the
seat.

When cleaning the seats, do not use organic
substances (paint thinner, benzine, alcohol, gasoline,
etc.). They may damage the heater and seat surface.

To prevent the battery from being discharging, turn
the switches on when the engine is running.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
182AIR mode is set.
If you push the ºFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
while in the FRONT WINDSHIELD mode, the mode then
returns to the last mode used.
CAUTION
Do not use the FRONT WINDSHIELD mode during cooled
air operation in extremely humid weather. The difference
between the temperature of the outside air and that of the
windshield could cause the outer surface of the windshield to
fog up blocking your vision.
If quick heating or cooling is desired ±
Obtain maximum power by turning the ºTEMPº knob fully.
At this time, ºMAX. HOTº or ºMAX. COLDº will appear on
the display.
If manual fan speed control is desired ±
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by pushing
either
side of the fan speed control
(FAN) button. The
higher the fan speed is, the more air is delivered. Pushing in
the
(OFF) button turns off the fan.
To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speed
setting. Stopping the fan ±
Push in the
(OFF) button.
The fan stops in automatic mode or manual mode.
If manual switching of air intake is desired ±
(AIR INTAKE) button is used to switch the air
intake between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and
RECIRCULATED AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the OUTSIDE
AIR mode indicator light will come on and the system will
take fresh outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, press in the air
intake control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
183
set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during
heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the
(A/C) button to turn the air conditioning on
and push it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will
improve fuel economy. The air conditioning can be used for
year±round automatic temperature control including cooling
and dehumidifying operation. If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the
(A/C) button will blink. If the indicator
of the (A/C) button blinks even when the (A/C)
button is pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
See º(a) Climate controlº for details on each button.
To remove interior fog on the windshield ±
Push the
(WINDSHIELD) button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield ±
1. Place the temperature control knob at the maximum
temperature.
2. Push the
(WINDSHIELD) button.
3. Push the right side of the fan speed control
(FAN)
button to set the fan speed at the maximum speed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
211
ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas. It can
cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from time to
time. If you hit something, or notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust, have the system checked immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area except
for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or out. The
exhaust gases cannot escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with the
engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do so only in
an unconfined area and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the vehicle.
 Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be drawn
into the vehicle.

STARTING AND DRIVING
224
(c) Using the º3º, º2º and ºLº positions
The º3º, º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong engine\
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in º3º, º2º or ºLº, you can sta\
rt the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º3º or º2º, the vehicle will start in
the first gear and automatically shift to the third or second
gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.
NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum allowable speed for
each position is given below for your reference:
º3º 153 km/h (96 mph) . . . .
º2º 100 km/h (63 mph) . . . .
ºLº 65 km/h (41 mph) . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the º3º, º2º or ºLº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, º4º position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up

STARTING AND DRIVING
236
(c) Using the º2º and ºLº positions
The º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in º2º or ºLº, you can start the vehicle\
in motion as with the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º2º, the vehicle will start in the first
gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the red
zone. The approximate maximum allowable speed for
each position is given below for your reference:
º2º 107 km/h (67 mph) . . . .
ºLº 56 km/h (35 mph) . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the º2º or ºLº position. This may cause severe
automatic transmission damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, º3º position should be used in
hill climbing or hard towing.

DRIVING TIPS
260

Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. It can cause dangerous overheating,
needless wear, and poor fuel economy.

To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 234.

Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.

Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has high±speed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph)
may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are high±speed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are
wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it may pull to one side
when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking
brake will not hold the vehicle securely.WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of engine
coolant.
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol type coolant for
a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent. See ºChecking
the engine coolant levelº on page 347 for instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60%
solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to about
±50 C (±58F). Do not use more than 70% solution for better
coolant performance.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 380 tells you how to visually inspect the
battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be
pleased to check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold
weather.
See page 346 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call

DRIVING TIPS
268

Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures over
30C [85 F]) when going up a long or steep grade with a
trailer. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if
in use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe
spot. See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº on page 280 of this
manual.

Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake
firmly. Put the transmission in ºPº. Avoid parking on a
slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be avoided, do so only
after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle
and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With the transmission in ºPº position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal depressed. 2. Shift into the º3º, º2º, ºLº or ºRº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.