1998 Lexus LS400 trunk

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
59
14L036
CAUTION
Make sure the floor mat is properly placed on the floor carpet.
If the floor mat slips and interferes with the movement of the
pedals during driving, it may cause an accident.
LUGGAGE STOWAGE
PRECAUTIONS
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.

SECTION 1 5
61
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Exterior equipment
Hood 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel tank cap 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moon roof 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
63
TRUNK LID
15L0171
To unlock the trunk lid, insert the master key and turn it
clockwise.
To close the trunk lid, lower it and press down on it. After closing
the trunk lid, try pulling it up to make sure it is securely closed.
The trunk lid can be unlocked using the wireless remote control key.
For details, see page 14.
15L015-1
To open the trunk lid, push it up. It fully opens. However, to
prevent a rain from entering the vehicle, it is designed to stop
partway when you pull down the fully opened trunk lid lightly.
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.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
64
Trunk lid opener
15L004-1
1
Main switch 2
Operative 3
Inoperative
To open the trunk lid while sitting in the driver’s seat, pull the
lever with the main switch not pushed in.
15L0181
1
If you do not want to activate the trunk lid opener system,
push in the main switch.
2
To activate the system, insert the master key and turn it
counterclockwise.
To protect things put in the trunk, when you have your vehicle
parked, push in the main switch.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
99 To provide proper restraint, use a child restraint system following the
manufacturer ’s instructions about the appropriate age and size of the
child for the restraint system.
Install the child restraint system correctly following the instructions
provided by its manufacturer of the system. General directions are
also provided under the following illustrations.
The child restraint system should be installed on the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
CAUTION
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system on the front
seat. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid
inflation of the airbag can cause death or serious injury if
a rearfacing child restraint system is put on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a forwardfacing child
restraint system on the front seat.
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on
the front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the
seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child. Do
not allow the child to lean over the front door or around the
front door even if the child is seated in a child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
After installing the child restraint system, make sure it is
secured in place according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. If it is not restrained securely, it may cause
death or serious injury to the child in the event of a sudden
stop or accident.
When not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with the
seat belt or place it in the trunk or somewhere other than in the
passenger compartment. This will prevent it from injuring
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Your vehicle has anchors for securing the top strap of a child restraint
system. The anchor nuts are welded beneath the sheet metal to
permit installation of an anchor bracket for a child restraint system.

THEFT DETERRENT
117
THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
To deter theft of the vehicle, this system is designed to give an
alarm if any of the doors, trunk or hood is forcibly unlocked or
the battery terminal is disconnected and then reconnected while
the vehicle is locked.*
NOTE: *The system operating condition can be changed. Ask
your Lexus dealer for details.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently and flashes the headlights,
tail lights and other exterior lights.
17L001
Setting the system
1. Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK” position and remove it.
2. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and hood using an ignition
key or wireless remote control.If you lock them with wireless remote control, the turn signals flash
once.* If you do not want to make them flash, consult with your
Lexus dealer.
NOTE: *The turn signals can be set not to flash. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
The indicator light will come on when all the doors, trunk and hood
are closed and locked.
3. After 30 seconds, the indicator flashes and the system is set.
Cancelling the system
When you unlock any door or trunk using an ignition key or
wireless remote control, the system is cancelled.
If you unlock any door or trunk with wireless remote control, the turn
signals flash twice.* If you do not want to make them flash, consult
with your Lexus dealer.
NOTE: *The turn signals can be set not to flash. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
Activating the system
The alarm sounds for 60 seconds if any of the following are operated:
Unlocking any door or trunk without using an ignition key or
wireless remote control.
Opening the hood forcibly.
Reconnecting the battery.

THEFT DETERRENT
118If any door is unlocked and the ignition key is not in the ignition
switch during the alarm sounding, its door is automatically locked.
To stop the alarm: Use either of the following methods.
Unlock the door or trunk using an ignition key or wireless remote
control.
Turn the ignition switch on.
Testing the system
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system as described above.
The front doors should be locked with the ignition key or wireless
remote control. Be sure to wait until the indicator light starts
flashing.
3. Unlock one of the doors from the inside.
The system should activate the alarm.
4. Unlock any of the doors with a key or the wireless remote
control to cancel the system.
5. Repeat this operation for the other doors and hood.
When testing the hood, also check that the system is activated when
the battery terminal is disconnected and then reconnected.
If the system does not work properly, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer.
NOTICE
Disconnecting the battery may result in the erasure of
information you have set in the computer memory. After
reconnecting the battery, check that the memorized data has
been retained. If it has been erased, input it into the computer
once more.

STARTING AND DRIVING
156To ensure that the threeway catalytic converter and the
entire emission control system operate properly, your vehicle
must receive the periodic inspections required by the Lexus
Maintenance Schedule. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the separate ”Owner’s Manual
Supplement/ Maintenance Schedule”.
ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas. It can
cause unconsciousness or even death.
Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from time to
time. If you hit something, or notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust, have the system checked immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area except
for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or out. The
exhaust gases cannot escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with the
engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do so only in
an unconfined area and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the vehicle.
Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be drawn
into the vehicle. If you must drive with the trunk lid open
to accommodate a large object, close the windows, open all
the dashboard vents and have the heating or cooling system
deliver fresh air into the vehicle by turning the fan to high
speed with the air intake control button in the OUTSIDE
AIR mode.
To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s ventilation
system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the windshield clear
of snow, leaves, or other obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with the
windows open and the trunk lid closed. Have the cause
immediately located and corrected.