1998 Lexus LS400 brake

STARTING AND DRIVING
158driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.*
NOTE: *The volume or interval of beep sound can be changed.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
31L0031
”LOCK” Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked. The
ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ”ACC” to the ”LOCK” position, you must put
the transmission selector lever in the ”P” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set. See ”Engine immobiliser system” on page 10.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the ”LOCK”
position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all the way in, and
then rock the steering wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle
is moving, turn the key only to ”ACC”.
PARKING BRAKE
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1
To set: Fully depress the parking brake pedal.
2
To release: Pull the parking brake release lever.
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.

STARTING AND DRIVING
159
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ”P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ”N”. A starter
safety device will prevent the starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until you are ready
to drive off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
”Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the proper
airfuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot engine as
follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ”START”. Release it when the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready to drive.If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a few
minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the engine
is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ”If your vehicle will not start” on page 193.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,
have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
160
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to minimize
the possibility of incorrect operation. This means you can only
shift out of ”P” position when the brake pedal is depressed with
the ignition switch in ”ON” position. ()
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The shift position is displayed on the instrument cluster.P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4:Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from ”D” to ”4”, engine braking will not be applied because
the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation to
decrease the vehicle speed, see page 170.
3, 2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
162
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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.
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”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
163 5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the
accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines, declines
or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down automatically
according to the running conditions to obtain the suitable driving
power and engine braking.
In ”4” position, the automatic transmission system will select the
most suitable gear for the running conditions such as hill climbing,
hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides more
acceleration by automatically downshifting the transmission to the
next lower gear or beyond, depending on the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill, see ”(b)
Using engine braking”.
(b) Using engine braking
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To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the transmission
in the way described below:
1
Shift into the ”4” position. The transmission will downshift to
the fourth gear and engine braking will be obtained.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from ”D” to ”4”, engine braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled. If you need to decrease the
vehicle speed, see page 170.
2
Shift into the ”3” position. The transmission will downshift to
the third gear when the vehicle speed is or becomes lower than
154 km/h (96 mph) and more powerful engine braking will be
obtained.

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165
(d) Backing up
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1
”R” (Reverse) position 2
Brake pedal
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector
lever to the ”R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
When you are backing up, you can adjust the outside rear view
mirror on the passenger’s side down quickly. For details, see page
78.
(e) Parking
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1
”P” (Park) position 2
Brake pedal
3
Parking brake pedal
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the selector
lever to the ”P” position.
CAUTION
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move the
selector lever into ”P” under any circumstances. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may result.

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166
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts between
the fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope, shift
the selector lever to the ”4” position. Be sure to shift the selector
lever to the ”D” position after climbing the slope.
When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive. The selector lever must be in the ”4” position.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with
the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the accelerator
pedal. This can cause the transmission to overheat. Always use
the brake pedal or parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., then
you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it forward
and backward. Do not attempt this procedure if people or
objects are anywhere near the vehicle. During the rocking
operation the vehicle may suddenly move forward or back as
it becomes unstuck, causing injury or damage to nearby
people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following precautions to
prevent damage to the transmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting the
selector lever or before the transmission is completely shifted
to forward or reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the wheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle several
times, consider other ways such as towing.

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167
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake pedal is
depressed, use the shift lock override button. For instructions, see
”If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever” on page
209.
(i) If the ”ECT PWR” indicator light flashes
If the ”ECT PWR” indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the transmission
system.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE
CONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator opening
in all driving conditions.
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1
Power mode 2
Normal mode 3
Snow mode
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes: Normal,
Power and Snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that you
use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving.