2003 Lexus IS300 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
84
CAUTION
Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. This not only
keeps the luggage from being thrown out, but also
prevents exhaust gases from entering the vehicle.
 Always lock the trunk lid and all doors, and keep
away the vehicle keys out of children's reaches.
 Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Unsupervised children may lock themselves in the
vehicle or trunk and suffer serious injuries or death.
Lock release lever
SS15006
To open the trunk lid from the driver's seat, pull up on the
lock release lever.
Internal trunk release handle
SV15008
If a person is locked in the trunk, he/she can pull down the
phosphorescent handle on the inside of trunk lid to open
the trunk lid.
The phosphorescent (glow±in±the±dark) handle will continue
to glow for a time after the trunk lid is closed. Exposing the
handle to stronger light will cause it to glow longer.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
85
Luggage security system
SS15013
After closing the trunk lid, insert the master key and turn
it counterclockwise to deactivate the lock release lever.
At this time, the trunk lid can be opened only by the
phosphorescent handle lever inside the trunk.
FUEL TANK CAP
SS15008
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the lever up.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
when refueling. The fumes are flammable.
 When opening the cap, do not remove the cap
quickly. In hot weather, fuel under pressure could
cause injury by spraying out of the filler neck if the
cap is suddenly removed.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
86
SV15011a
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap slowly
counterclockwise, then pause slightly before removing it.
The removed cap can be stored on the back side of the fuel
filler door.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is
opened. When installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until
you hear a click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the malfunction indicator
lamp comes on. Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the
indicator lamp does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
 Make sure the cap is tightened securely to prevent
fuel spillage in case of an accident.
 Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for
replacement. It is designed to regulate fuel tank
pressure.
Refueling the vehicle
As soon as the correctly operated nozzle switches off
automatically for the first time, the tank is full. Do not try
to add more fuel, because fuel may spill out.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
87
MOON ROOF
SV15003

1Open 2Close
To slide open the moon roof, push the switch on the rear
side briefly. The moon roof will open and stop partway 80
mm (3.2 in.) from the fully opened position. When you
push the switch again, the moon roof will open fully. To
stop partway, push the same switch or ºTILTº switch
briefly while the moon roof is moving.
As driving with the moon roof opened fully will cause wind
throbs, we recommend you to drive with the moon roof partway
80 mm (3.2 in.) from the fully opened position.
To operate the moon roof, the ignition key must be in the ºONº
position.
The sun shade can be opened or closed manually. However,
if you open the moon roof, the sun shade will be opened with
the moon roof. To close the moon roof, push the switch on the front side.
The moon roof will fully close. To stop partway, push the
same switch or ºTILTº switch.
SS15012

1Tilt up 2Lower
To tilt up the rear end of the moon roof fully, push the
switch on the rear side or on the front side to lower it.
To operate the moon roof, the ignition key must be in the ºONº
position.
Key off operation:
Even if the ignition key is turned to the
ºACCº or ºLOCKº position, the moon roof can be operated until
either of the front doors is opened (or for about 45 seconds).
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
88
Jam protection function
During closing operation, the moon roof stops and is open if
something gets caught into the roof opening.
If the moon roof receives a strong impact, this function may
work even if nothing is caught.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you must do the
following.
While the vehicle is moving, always keep the heads,
hands and other parts of the bodies of all occupants
away from the roof opening. Otherwise, they could
be seriously injured if the vehicle stops suddenly or
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
 Before you close the moon roof, always make sure
there is nobody around the moon roof. You must also
make sure nobody places his or her head, hands and
other parts of the body in the roof opening. If
someone's neck, head or hands get caught in the
closing roof, it could result in a serious injury. When
anyone closes the moon roof, first make sure it is safe
to do so.
 Never leave small children alone in the vehicle,
especially with the ignition key still inserted. They
could use the moon roof switches and get trapped in
the roof opening. Unattended children can be
involved in serious accidents.
 Never sit on top of the vehicle around the roof
opening.
 Never try jamming any part of your body to make the
jam protection function work intentionally.
 The jam protection function may not work if
something gets caught just before the moon roof
fully closed.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

SECTION 1 ± 6
89
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Comfort adjustment
Front seats90
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Fold±down rear seats 100
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Trunk storage extension 102
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Armrests 103
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Head restraints 104
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Tilt steering wheell 106
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Outside rear view mirrors 106
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Inside rear view mirror 108
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Seat belts 11 3
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SRS airbags 126
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Child restraint 140
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2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
90
FRONT SEATS
(POWER TYPE)
Front seat precautions
(on vehicles with SRS front airbags)
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (ªNHTSAº) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50Ð75
mm (2Ð3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
 Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
 Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it
hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non±slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
 If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward.
This points the airbag toward your chest instead of
your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by
NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot
pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Front passenger seat
CAUTION
The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with
considerable force, and can cause death or serious
injury especially if the front passenger is very close to
the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far
from the airbag as possible with the seatback adjusted,
so the front passenger sits upright.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
91
Front seat precautions
(on vehicles with side airbags)
CAUTION
The side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
Do not lean against the front door when the vehicle
is in use, since the side airbag inflates with
considerable speed and force. Otherwise, you may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, be
killed or seriously injured.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or the upholstery
of seats with side airbags. Such changes may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
disable the system, or cause the side airbags to
inflate accidentally, resulting in death or serious
injury. Consult your Lexus dealer if you insist on
modifications of this kind.
 Do not use seat accessories which cover the area
where the side airbags inflate. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly,
causing death or serious injury.
Seat adjustment precautions
CAUTION
 Do not adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving as
the seat may unexpectedly move and cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
 Be careful that the seat does not hit a passenger,
luggage or the rear seat.
NOTICE
Do not operate the control switch in more than one
dimension at a time. It may cause electrical overload.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)