1998 Lexus LS400 wheel

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157
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height and
steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators function
when turning the key to ”ON”, and check the fuel gauge to see that
you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK
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”START” Starter motor on. The key will return to the ”ON”
position when released.
For starting tips, see page 159.
”ON” Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ”ON” position if the engine is not
running. The battery will discharge and the electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system could be damaged.
”ACC” Accessories such as the radio operate, but the engine
is off.
If you leave the key in the ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position and open the

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.
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”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.

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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.

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.

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173
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control the
spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when accelerating
on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting driver to control the
driving power of the rear wheels.
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When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns
on. Leave the system on during ordinary driving so that it can
operate when needed. When traction control is applied, the slip
indicator light blinks.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel
vibration of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This
indicates the system is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the traction
control system will help operate to prevent the wheels from
spinning.
To turn off the traction control system, see page 174.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of the
vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious pace.

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174
VEHICLE SKID CONTROL SYSTEM
The vehicle skid control system helps to provide comprehensive
control of the systems such as an antilock brake system,
traction control, engine control, electronically modulated air
suspension, etc. This system automatically controls the output
of the brakes or engine to help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road surface or abrupt steering
wheel operation occurs.
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Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator light
flashes and an alarm sounds.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle speed is about
more than 15 km/h (9 mph).Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly causes a small noise from the
engine compartment. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system and it is not a malfunction.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine compartment for
a few seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle is
started. This means that the vehicle skid control is in the selfcheck
mode and does not indicate a malfunction.
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You can turn off the vehicle skid control system by pushing the
”VSC OFF” switch. The ”VSC OFF” indicator comes on. At
this time, the traction control system also turns off. You cannot
turn off either one of them. Pushing the ”VSC OFF” switch a
second time turns the system back on and extinguishes the ”VSC
OFF” indicator light.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns on.

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176
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the vehicle skid control system.
Even if the vehicle skid control system is operating, it is not
that your vehicle is absolutely safe. Reckless driving will
result in an unexpected accident. Always keep safety
driving in mind. If the slip indicator light flashes, sounding
an alarm, special care should be taken while driving.
Only use tires of specified size. The size, manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires should be the same.
If you use the tires other than specified, or different type or
size, the vehicle skid control system may not function
correctly. When replacing the tires or wheels, contact your
Lexus dealer.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic system with
two separate subsystems. If either subsystem should fail, the other
will still work. However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system warning
light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to powerassist the brakes.
If the engine should quit while you are driving, you can bring the
vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure. There is enough
reserve vacuum for one or two stops but no more!
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each push
on the pedal uses up your vacuum reserve.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes will
still work. But you will have to push the pedal hard much
harder than normal. And your braking distance will be
longer.

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177
Antilock brake system
The antilock brake system is designed to automatically help
prevent lockup of the wheels during a sudden brake or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in providing directional
stability and steering performance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The antilock brake system becomes operative after the vehicle has
accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h (6 mph).
It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just after the vehicle is started. This
means that the antilock brake system is in the selfcheck mode, and
does not indicate a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the antilock
brake system function is in action, you may feel the brake pedal
pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to let the antilock brake
system work for you, just hold the brake pedal down more firmly.
Do not pump the brake. This will result in reduced braking
performance.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the antilock brake system may
indicate hazardous road surface conditions. Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing vehicle control, it is still important
to drive with all due care, because the antilock brake system cannot
overcome the laws of physics that act on your vehicle:
Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the road
surface.Even though the antilock brake system is operating, a driver
cannot maintain full control on certain slippery road surfaces,
when cornering at high speeds, or in violent maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The antilock brake system
cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles not fitted with an antilock brake system,
your vehicle may require a longer stopping distance in the following
cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snowcovered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has other
differences in surface height.