1996 Lexus LS400 lexus LS400 1996 Engine / 1996 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

STARTING AND DRIVING
141
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control
the spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting
driver control and driving power of the rear wheels.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system
always turns on. Leave the system on during ordinary
driving so that it can operate when needed. When
traction control is applied, the slip indicator light
blinks.
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing
the ªTRAC±OFF±º switch. The ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing the
ªTRAC±OFF±º switch a second time turns the system
back on and extinguishes the ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine
compartment when the engine is started. This means that
the traction control system is in the self±check mode, and
does not indicate malfunction. When the traction control
system is operating, you may feel vibration of your vehicle,
caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the system
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the
traction control system will operate to prevent the wheels
from spinning. Even though the accelerator pedal is fully
depressed, the engine speed will be restrained to a certain
level.

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142
Traction control failure warning
If the ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble
in the traction control system.
CAUTION!
Under certain slippery road conditions, full stability
of the vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system
is in operation. In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should be
fitted with snow tires or tire chains and driven at a
more cautious pace.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will
be longer. Also, the brake system warning light may come
on.
CAUTION!
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you
can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure.
There is enough reserve vacuum for one or two stops but no
more!
CAUTION!

Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your vacuum
reserve.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the
brakes will still work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard ± much harder than normal. And your
braking distance will be longer.

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Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to prevent
lock±up of the wheels during sudden braking or
braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists the
driver in controlling the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h
(3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the anti±lock brake system is in
the self check mode, and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system function is in action, you
may feel the brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this
situation, to let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just
hold the brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the
brake.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake
system may indicate hazardous road surface conditions.
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in providing
vehicle control, it is still important to drive with all due care,
because the anti±lock brake system cannot overcome the
laws of physics that act on your vehicle:
Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the road
surface.
Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a
driver cannot maintain full control on certain slippery road
surfaces, when cornering at high speeds, or in violent
maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake
system cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss
of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with an anti±lock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer stopping
distance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has
other differences in surface height.

STARTING AND DRIVING
144ªABSº warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ªONº position. After about 3 seconds, the light will
go off.
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.
Even if the anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake
system will still operate conventionally. Have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding±down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes
and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.
Brake pad wear limit warning light
When your brake pads are worn enough to require
replacement, the brake pad wear limit warning light in
the instrument cluster comes on.
If the warning light comes on while driving, have the brake
pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the pads are
not replaced when needed.

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TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally
equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited to
highway driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction
performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow±covered or icy roads. For driving on
snow±covered or icy roads, we recommend using snow
tires. If installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in
snow and to be adequate for driving in most winter
conditions, as well as for use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose
snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and
handling performance compared with summer tires in
highway driving.
CAUTION!

Do not mix summer and all season tires on your
vehicle as this can cause dangerous handling
characteristics, resulting in loss of control.
Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's
designated tires, and never mix tires or wheels of
the sizes different from the originals.

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