1998 Lexus LS400 ECU

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
104
16L1632
CAUTION
Push and pull the child restraint system in different directions
to be sure it is secure. Follow all the installation instructions
provided by its manufacturer.
16L1642
4. To remove the infant seat, press the bucklerelease button and
allow the belt to retract completely. The belt will move freely again
and be ready to work for an adult or older child passenger.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
107
16L1661
2. Fully extend the shoulder belt to put it in the lock mode. When
the belt is then retracted slightly, it cannot be extended.
To hold the convertible seat securely, make sure the belt is in the lock
mode before letting the belt to retract.
16L1671
3. While pressing the convertible seat firmly against the seat
cushion and seatback, let the shoulder belt retract as far as it will go
to hold the convertible seat securely.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
108
16L1681
CAUTION
Push and pull the child restraint system in different directions
to be sure it is secure. Follow all the installation instructions
provided by its manufacturer.
16L1691
4. To remove the convertible seat, press the bucklerelease button
and allow the belt to retract completely. The belt will move freely
again and be ready to work for an adult or older child passenger.

DRIVING TIPS
182Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 163.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
highspeed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet.
If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping
distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are
applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethyleneglycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be
in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 253
tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 232 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer
oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting.
If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer
they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or
obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock deicer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.

DRIVING TIPS
185
Hitches
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be
consulted.
Use only a hitch which is recommended by the hitch
manufacturer and conforms to the total trailer weight
requirement.
Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
Lexus recommends removing the trailer hitch whenever you are
not towing a trailer to reduce the possibility of additional damage
caused by the hitch if your vehicle is struck from behind. After
removing the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body
to prevent entry of pollutants such as exhaust fumes, dirt, water,
etc.
NOTICE
Install the trailer hitch using only the position recommended
by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the trailer hitch on the
bumper; this may cause body damage.
Do not use axlemounted hitches as they can cause damage
to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
Brakes and safety chains
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any
applicable federal and state/provincial regulations.
A safety chain must always be used between the towing
vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for
turns. The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in case it
becomes damaged or separated. For correct safety chain
procedures, follow the hitch or trailer manufacturer’s
recommendations.
CAUTION
If the total trailer weight exceeds 450 kg (1000 lb.), trailer
brakes are required.
Never tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system as it will
lower its braking effectiveness.
Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely
attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage
occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is possible
danger of the trailer wandering over into another lane.

DRIVING TIPS
186
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust the
tire pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure indicated
below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended
by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and local
regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer or rental
agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer.
Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights
each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your lights.
Breakin schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component (engine,
transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km
(500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this information,
please refer to the scheduled maintenance information in the
”Owner ’s Manual Supplement/ Maintenance Schedule”.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pretowing safety check
Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal
noseup or nosedown condition, and check for improper tongue
load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it cannot
shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulation. If they do not, install required
rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
199
40L004-1
1
Joint
2
When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand in the
”contract” direction until the jack is free.
3
When storing, turn the joint by hand in the ”expand”
direction until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from
flying forward during a collision or sudden braking.
40L0051
To remove the spare tire:
1
Remove the spare tire cover.
2
Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the inner side of the wheel
facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the spare tire cover
to prevent the tire from flying forward during a collision or sudden
braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
203
40L0131
8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger tight.
Align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up the wheel
and get at least the top bolt started through its hole. Wiggle the tire
and press it back over the other bolts.
Reinstall the wheel nuts and tighten them as much as you can by
hand. Press the tire back and see if you can tighten them more.
40L0141
9. Lower the vehicle completely and tighten the wheel nuts.
Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.
Use only the wheel nut wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use other
tools or any additional leverage other than your hands, such as a
hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is securely
engaged over the nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat the
process until all the nuts are tight.
CAUTION
When lowering the vehicle, make sure all portions of your
body and all other persons around will not be injured as the
vehicle is lowered to the ground.
As soon as possible after changing wheels, have the wheel
nuts tightened by torque wrench at 103 N·m (10.5 kgf·m, 76
ft·lbf.).