1999 LEXUS SC300 towing

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
51
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when
the ignition switch is on. The engine operating
temperature
will vary with changes in weather and engine
load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle
and allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating
conditions, such as:

Driving up a long hill on a hot day.

Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.

Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stop±and±go traffic.

Towing a trailer.
NOTICE

Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling
system as this may cause the engine to overheat. The
thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant to
keep the temperature of the engine within the specified
operating range.

Do not continue driving with an overheated engine.
See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº on page 280.
TACHOMETER

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.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
2225. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain
the suitable driving power and engine braking.
In º4º position, the automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for the running conditions such as hill
climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see º(b) Using engine brakingº.
(b) Using engine braking

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
227
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, shift the selector lever to the º4º position. Be
sure to shift the selector lever to the ºDº position after
climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain ef ficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive. The selector lever must be in the º4º position.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with
the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the
accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission to
overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then
you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward
and backward. Do not attempt this procedure if people or
objects are anywhere near the vehicle. During the rocking
operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward or back as
it becomes un±stuck, causing injury or damage to nearby
people or objects.

STARTING AND DRIVING
228
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following
precautions to prevent damage to the transmission and
other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting the
selector lever or before the transmission is completely
shifted to forward or reverse gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle
several times, consider other ways such as towing.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see ºIf you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 306.

STARTING AND DRIVING
2345. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain
the suitable driving power and engine braking.
In º3º position, the automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for the running conditions such as hill
climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see º(b) Using engine brakingº.
(b) Using engine braking