1998 Lexus LS400 ESP

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
141 (b) Manual program selection
20L016-1
”Program” button: Push the ”
” button to select the other
side of a cassette tape. The display indicates which side is currently
selected ( indicates top side,  indicates bottom side).
”Rewind” button: Push the ”” button to rewind a tape. ”REW”
appears on the display.
To stop rewinding, push the same button or ”TAPE” button.
”Fast forward” button: Push the ”

” button to fast forward a
cassette tape. ”FF” appears on the display.
To stop fast forwarding, push the same button or ”TAPE” button.(c) Automatic program selection
20L103
”RPT” button: The repeat feature automatically replays the current
program.
Push the ”RPT” button while the program is playing. When the
program ends, it will automatically be rewound and replayed. Push
the button again to turn off the repeat feature.
There must be at least 5 seconds of blank space between programs
for the repeat feature to work correctly.
”SKIP” button: The skip feature allows you to fast forward past
long stretches of blank tape. This is especially useful at the end of
cassettes.
Push the ”SKIP” button. The player will automatically skip any
blank portions of 15 seconds or more and play the next program. To
cancel it, push the button once again.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
149 Radio reception
Usually, the problem with radio reception does not mean there is a
problem with your radio it is just the normal result of conditions
outside the vehicle.
For example, nearby buildings and terrain can interfere with FM
reception. Power lines or telephone wires can interfere with AM
signals. And of course, radio signals have a limited range, and the
farther you are from a station, the weaker its signal will be. In
addition, reception conditions change constantly as your vehicle
moves.
Here are some common reception problems that probably do not
indicate a problem with your radio:
FM
Fading and drifting stations Generally, the effective range of FM
is about 40 km (25 miles). Once outside this range, you may notice
fading and drifting, which increase with the distance from the radio
transmitter. They are often accompanied by distortion.
Multipath FM signals are reflective, making it possible for two
signals to reach your antenna at the same time. If this happens, the
signals will cancel each other out, causing a momentary flutter or
loss of reception.
Static and fluttering These occur when signals are blocked by
buildings, trees, or other large objects. Increasing the bass level may
reduce static and fluttering.Station swapping If the FM signal you are listening to is
interrupted or weakened, and there is another strong station nearby
on the FM band, your radio may tune in the second station until the
original signal can be picked up again.
AM
Fading AM broadcasts are reflected by the upper atmosphere
especially at night. These reflected signals can interfere with those
received directly from the radio station, causing the radio station to
sound alternately strong and weak.
Station interference When a reflected signal and a signal received
directly from a radio station are very nearly the same frequency, they
can interfere with each other, making it difficult to hear the
broadcast.
Static AM is easily affected by external sources of electrical noise,
such as high tension power lines, lightening, or electrical motors.
This results in static.
Caring for your cassette player and tapes
For high performance from your cassette player and tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regularly.
A dirty tape head or tape path can decrease sound quality and
tangle your cassette tapes. The easiest way to clean them is by
using a cleaning tape. (A wet type is recommended.)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
150Use highquality cassettes:
Lowquality cassette tapes can cause many problems, including
poor sound, inconsistent playing speed, and constant
autoreversing. They can also get stuck or tangled in the cassette
player.
Do not use a cassette if it has been damaged or tangled or if its
label is peeling off.
Do not leave a cassette in the player if you are not listening to it,
especially if it is hot outside.
Store cassettes in their cases and out of direct sunlight.
Avoid using cassettes with a total playing time longer than 100
minutes (50 minutes per side). The tape used in these cassette is
thin and could get stuck or tangled in the cassette player.Caring for your compact disc player and discs
20L037
Use only compact discs labeled as shown. The player is intended
for use with 12 cm (4.7 in.) discs only.
Extremely high temperature can keep your compact disc player
from working. On hot days, use air conditioning to cool the
vehicle interior before you listen to a disc.
Bumpy roads or other vibrations may make your compact disc
player skip.
If moisture gets into your compact disc player, you may not hear
any sound even though your compact disc player appears to be
working. Remove the magazine from the player and wait until it
dries.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
151
20L038
Correct
Wrong
Handle compact discs carefully, especially when you set them
into the magazine. Hold them on the edge and do not bend them.
Avoid getting fingerprints on them, particularly on the shiny side.
Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or other disc damage could
cause the player to skip or to repeat a section of a track. (To see
a pin hole, hold the disc up to the light.)
20L039
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a soft, lintfree cloth that has
been dampened with water. Wipe in a straight line from the center
to the edge of the disc (not in a circle). Do not use a conventional
record cleaner or antistatic device.

STARTING AND DRIVING
162
31L008-3
1
Power mode 2
Normal mode 3
Snow mode
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ”Normal”
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which allows
you to select ”Power”, ”Normal” or ”Snow” mode to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the ”Normal” position to improve fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use the
”Power” position.
In the POWER position, 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 in the NORMAL
position.
For ”Snow” mode, see ”Electronic Throttle Control System” on
page 167.
31l0552
1
”D” (Drive) position 2
Brake pedal
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ”D”.
Always use the ”D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even in the ”D”
position. (See ”(b) Using engine braking” and ”(f) Good driving
practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting.

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
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.

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.