1998 Lexus LS400 ignition

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.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
121
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
21L001-5
The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains the set
temperature.
This air conditioning features automatic fan speed and air flow
control which automatically selects the most suitable fan speed
and air flow to control the temperature. The ignition key must be
in the ”ON” position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the air
conditioning on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
128
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
21L009-3
To remove interior fog on the windshield
Push the”FRONT WINDSHIELD” button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield
1. Place the temperature control button at the maximum
temperature.
2. Push the ”FRONT WINDSHIELD” button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to obtain a
maximum air flow.
4. Leave the air conditioning onoff button off.When the ”FRONT WINDSHIELD” button is pushed while
operating in automatic mode, the air conditioning is set to operate
and the OUTSIDE AIR mode is set.
If you push the ”FRONT WINDSHIELD” button once again while
in the FRONT WINDSHIELD mode, the mode then returns to the
last mode used.
CAUTION
Do not use the ”FRONT WINDSHIELD” button during
cooled air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air and that
of the windshield could cause the outer surface of the
windshield to fog up blocking your vision.
When you turn the ignition switch on after the removal and
installation of the battery terminal, the indicator light may flash and
the operating sound of the motor may be heard. This does not
indicate a malfunction.
You may hear the operating sound of the motor about 70 seconds
after the ignition switch is turned off. This is not also a malfunction.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
134
Using your audio system: some basics
This section describes some of the basic features of the Lexus audio
system. Some information may not pertain to your system.
Your audio system works when the ignition key is in the ”ACC” or
”ON” position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the
car audio on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.
(a) Turning the system on and off
20L002-1
Push this knob to turn the audio system on and off. Turn this
knob to adjust the volume.
The system turns on in the last mode used.
20L042-2
Push ”AM”, ”FM1/2”, ”TAPE” or ”CD” to turn on that mode.
The selected mode turns on directly.
Push these buttons if you want to switch from one mode to another.
If the tape or disc is not set, the cassette player or compact disc player
does not turn on.
You can turn off the cassette player by ejecting the cassette tape. If
the audio system was previously off, then the entire audio system
will be turned off when you eject the cassette tape. If another
function was previously playing, it will come on again.

SECTION 3 1
154
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Threeway catalytic converter 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 159. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronically modulated air suspension 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 173. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 174. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
155
THREEWAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER
31L0022
Threeway catalytic converters are emission control devices
installed in the exhaust system.
It looks somewhat like a muffler, but its purpose is to reduce
pollutants in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible materials away from the
exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas
is very hot.
Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything that
might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases flowing into the threeway
catalytic converter may cause it to overheat and create a fire
hazard. To prevent this and other damage, observe the following
precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level; running out of
fuel could cause the engine to misfire, creating an excessive
load on the threeway catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more than 20
minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not pushstart or pullstart your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.
Keep your engine in good running order. Malfunctions in the
engine electrical system, electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system or fuel system could cause
an extremely high threeway catalytic converter
temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,
take your vehicle in for a checkup as soon as possible.
Remember, your Lexus dealer knows your vehicle and its
threeway catalytic converter system best.

STARTING AND DRIVING
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
31L0011
”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