1998 Lexus LS400 cruise control

STARTING AND DRIVING
168In the power mode, the ”ECT PWR” light in the instrument cluster
is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle speeds and
shifted down more responsively than is the normal mode.
To return to the normal mode, push the driving pattern selector
switch lightly on the ”SNOW” side.
Snow mode: For slippery road surfaces such as in snow. In this
mode, the spinning of the rear wheels is controlled appropriately.
When you push the driving pattern selector switch on the ”SNOW”
side, the snow mode is turned on and the ”ECT SNOW” light in the
instrument cluster comes on.
To return to the normal mode, push the driving pattern selector
switch on the ”SNOW” side again.
When you turn the ignition switch off in the snow mode, the mode
automatically changes to the normal mode.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a desired
speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within the
limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a great speed change
will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the automatic
transmission is fixed in the normal position, regardless of the
position of the selector switch.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle, do not
use the cruise control when driving in heavy or varying
traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or snowcovered) or
winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving downhill. If the
vehicle speed is too fast in relation to the cruise control set
speed, cancel the cruise control then downshift the
transmission to use engine braking to slow down.

STARTING AND DRIVING
169
Turning on the system
31L067
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This turns the
system on. The indicator light in the instrument cluster shows that
you can now set your desired cruising speed. Another push on the
switch will turn the system completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again, push the
main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement, keep the main
switch off when not using the cruise control.
Setting at a desired speed
31L068
The transmission must be in ”D” or ”4” before you set the cruise
control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever
downward in the ”SET/COAST” direction and release it. This sets
the vehicle at that speed. Now you may take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. If you need acceleration for example, when
passing depress the accelerator pedal enough for the vehicle to
exceed the set speed. When you release the accelerator pedal, the
vehicle will return to the speed set prior to the acceleration.
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ”CANCEL” direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.

STARTING AND DRIVING
170If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset speed,
the preset speed will also automatically be cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than these
reasons, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer at the
earliest opportunity.
Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the ”RES/ACC” direction and hold
it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held upward, the vehicle will gradually gain speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set
speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be increased 1.6
km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control lever upward in the
”RES/ACC” direction quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle and then
press the control lever downward in the ”SET/COAST” direction.
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ”SET/COAST” direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held downward, the vehicle speed will gradually
decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set
speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can be lowered 1.6
km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control lever downward in
the ”SET/COAST” direction quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal and
then press the control lever downward in the ”SET/COAST”
direction.
Even if you downshift the transmission from the ”D” position to ”4”
with the cruise control on, engine braking will not be applied because
the cruise control is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle speed,
reset to a slower speed with the cruise control lever or depress the
brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever or by
depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the ”RES/ACC”
direction will restore the speed set prior to cancellation. However,
once the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will not be resumed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
171
Cruise control failure warning
If the ”CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
when using the cruise control, push the main switch to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then occurs, there is some trouble
in the cruise control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Lexus dealer and have your Lexus
inspected.
ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED
AIR SUSPENSION
(U.S.A. ONLY)
This electronically modulated air suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers and the vehicle height.
This adjustment is automatically made in response to the driving
conditions to provide good riding comfort and stability in all
driving conditions.
(a) Vehicle height adjustment
31L015-3
This system maintains a stable vehicle height, regardless of
occupants and luggage weight. You can select one of the
following modes using a selector switch.

INDEX (C E)
279
Consumer information
Uniform tire quality grading 244. . . . . . . . . . .
Controls, Instrument panel Pictorial index. . . . . .
Cooling system
Coolant level 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator and reservoir 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator cap 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion prevention 270
Cruise control 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise information 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D
Defogger, Rear window 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimmer switch, Headlight 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . .
Directional signals 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discharge warning light 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 217. . . . . . . .
Doityourself maintenance 221. . . . . . . . . . . .
Door locks 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver’s seat 2, 70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
Automatic transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips 180. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving position memory system 113. . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips
Driving tips in various conditions 181. . . . . . .
Driving with an automatic
transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Economical driving 189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good braking practice 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice 166
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
During breakin 181. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E
Economical driving .
Saving money on both fuel and
repairs 189. . . . . . . . . .
Electrical system
Battery 253. 257. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 249, 258, 260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 226. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 167. . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency, in case of
Blown fuse 259. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys 210
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 193. . . . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine
Antifreeze 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . .