Okay,

Long story short, I get to borrow a brand new SC430 for the weekend later this month. I have some very generic questions. What needs to be done to put the top down... IE, (windows up, trunk cleared etc...) oh yeah, which button puts the top down--- TOLD you I was an SC430 Newbie... ALso, I've always wandered, are the side rear-view mirrors equipped with turn signals! Like Mercedes

 

Hello newbie.
sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun. There is a button on the dash of the car. You must press and hold, the windows will go down, the trunk will open and the roof is gone.
The trunk of the car, at least the area where the roof goes into, must be cleared. You are left with a thin area to put a long duffle bag in. Side view mirrors are not equipped with turn signals.
Lets us know how you like it.

 

The best way to ensure that the trunk is properly cleared is to draw and secure the curtain and not place anything underneath the curtain that creates a protrusion. (I don't believe the top will even go down if the curtain is not secured).

As noted very strongly by other members of this forum, lower and raise the top only while the engine is running.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Forgive my laziness for not searching for the link, but, WHY, must the engine be running to put the top up and down?

 

Too much strain on the battery if you do not and sometimes it hangs up the roof without the car in the start position from my experience.. Hope that helps!

 

BTW - there is a great article in this month's Car and Driver re the future of 48 volt electrical systems in cars. Then you could open and close your top at your leisure!

 

You're borrowing someones SC430 and are asking a bunch of guys on-line how to use it .......

Hmmmm......who's lending it to you, Forrest Gump ??

Last of all, you've always "wandered" ? Where ?

 

Yes, Forrest and I hang out often Thankfully you pointed that out... I'm fortunate also, that others knew of my intention, despite the wrongly placed vowel.

In fact it's a Lexus dealer that's loaning me the car for a media event. I could certainly push the dealer for details about the car, but I appreciate TRUE owners perspectives, especially when dealing with such a beautiful machine!

By the way, thanks all you other guys, for all the tips!

 

That was a misspelling ? Shoot...........I was hoping for some travel tips.

Just kidding ES...........lighten up.

Have fun with the loaner. Hopefully you're in a warm climate and can enjoy the top down................and that's all I have to say about that........

 

No offense, kinda made me laugh, cuz in the end SC430's are "like a box of chocolates..."

Unfortunately my climate is probably just as cold as NY, being in west michigan. I'm actually in a parade, so the top will be down, but I'll be bundled up. Just slightly ironic I suppose, huh?

 

Marching with Forrest ??

I've ridden around with the top down in 45 degree weather. Crank up the heated seats, roll up the windows and put the climate control at about mid 70's. You'll be nice and toasty.

 

Hey,
I just moved from Muskegon. Is that close to where you live? What parade are you talking about?

 

Larry,

Thanks for the heat suggestions, it'll definitely be cranking. However I'm probably gonna stand, (with shoes off) on the back seat, and if possible without damaging the hood, squat on a portion of the trunk, unless the wind deflector won't go down. Do you know if ANY weight on the top of the trunk-near the back seats, would damage the car? Also, is the wind deflector moveable?

Oh yeah, for Mr. Muskegon, the parade is called the Holiday Parade, it's in Holland. Just a bit south of your old stompin' grounds. Do you get back in town much?

 

ES.......

First off, the wind deflector is fixed. It doesn't move at all.

As far as sitting on the trunk area (where the "boot" for the top is), I wouldn't suggest it. The trunk is hinged to open in two directions.....the traditional way and again from the front portion. It opens "backwards" to accomodate the top when you retract it.

There are all kinds of motors and pullys back there so putting any weight on the exterior may cause something to misalign.

Also, I think the trunk is made out of aluminum (like the hood) to keep weight down. It may dimple if any weight is put on it.

I thought you were driving the car in the parade ?

 

Larry,


Thanks for the insight, I'll be sure not to put any weight on the trunk. Perhaps I can just stand up and lean against the back seat, well, if you call it a back seat. By the way, I'm driving to pick the car up, but since I'm the VERY SMALL TOWN celebrity, I'll be driven, in the parade.