1998 Lexus LS400 check oil

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
44
(b) Warning messages
13L052
Reminder light
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When the engine oil pressure becomes too low, the above
message appears, the reminder light flashes and the warning
tone sounds.
If this message appears while you are driving, pull off the road to a
safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus dealer or
qualified repair shop for assistance.
The message may appear when the oil level is extremely low. It is
not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be
checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning message displayed
even for one block. It may ruin the engine.
W41 W41
When your brake pads are worn enough to require replacement,
the above message appears, the reminder light flashes and the
warning tone sounds.
If this message appears while you are driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
W43 W43
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W451
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When any door or trunk is open with the ignition switch turned
on, the message which door or trunk is open appears, and the
reminder light comes on.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
45 If you continue driving with any door or trunk open, the reminder
light starts flashing and the warning tone sounds to remind you to
close the door or trunk.
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If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition switch turned off
and the moon roof opened, the above message appears and the
reminder light flashes.
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In the following cases, the warning message appears and the
reminder light next to the warning message and the ”VSC OFF”
indicator light come on. And the warning tone also sounds.
(a) After the removal of the battery terminals (See ”Initial
adjustment of vehicle skid control system” on page 175.)
(b) If the vehicle skid control system malfunctions
If the above message appears for the cause of (b), have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Although the above message appears, you can continue your normal
driving, but without the vehicle skid control system function.
W49 W49
In the following cases, the above message appears, the reminder
light comes on and the warning tone sounds.
When the headlight switch is turned to the first or second
clickstop with one or more of tail light bulbs burned out.
When the brake pedal is held down with one or more of stop light
bulbs burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
W50 W50
When the engine oil level is too low, the above message appears,
the reminder light comes on and the warning tone sounds.
Add oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ”Checking the
engine oil level” on page 230.)
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the
engine.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
148(g) Other compact disc player functions
20L055-2
”RPT” button: Use it for automatic repeat of the track you are
currently listening to.
Push the button while the track is playing. When the track is
finished, the player will automatically go back to the beginning of
the track and play the track again. To cancel it, push the button once
again.
”RAND” button: Use it for automatic track selection and play by
the system.
When the button is pushed, the system selects a track in the discs
which are set and plays it. To cancel it, push the button once again.
When a track is skipped or the system is inoperative, push the button
to reset.(h) If the player malfunctions
If ”WAIT” appears on the display, audio signals of the disc cannot
be read or the system has trouble. Push the ”CD” button once again.
If the player does not operate, check that the disc surface is not soiled
or damaged. If the disc is O.K., the following two causes are
possible.
Condensation may have occurred on the internal mechanism of
the automatic changer. Open the cover to let the air circulate.
The temperature of the player’s internal mechanism is raised
because of high external temperature. Remove the magazine
from the player to cool it.
If the player still does not operate, take it to your Lexus dealer.
Car audio system operating hints
NOTICE
To ensure the correct audio system operation:
Be careful not to spill beverages over the audio system.
Do not put anything other than a cassette tape or CD
magazine into the cassette tape slot or CD changer.

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
189
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy
just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here
are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the
pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight
puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel
consumption.
Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once the engine is running
smoothly, begin driving but gently. Remember, however, that
on cold winter days this may take a little longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are
not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the
road on which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stopandgo driving wastes fuel.Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady
pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as
little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid
traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid
sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive,
the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you
will cut down on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the
curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only
causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine,
which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not
only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and
contribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and
lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule,
and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your
vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the separate ”Owner’s
Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.)
CAUTION

MAINTENANCE
215 Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 242 for
additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes or notice
any leak, have the cause found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood secondary latch
secures the hood when the primary latch is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights,
and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
function properly.Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes in
steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive freeplay or
strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters, seatback
recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the head restraints move
up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely in any latched
position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors and
anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing
is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal effort or
catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper clearance and
freeplay. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side when
applied.

MAINTENANCE
216Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe incline,
your vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ”Park” mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with the
selector lever in ”P” position and all brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time, e.g. each
time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 261 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and Lower lines
on the seethrough reservoir when the engine is cold. See page 233
for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have to add
distilled water. For longer life of the battery, however, see page 253
for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 239 for
additional information.Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and the
vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 230 for additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the ”HOT”
or ”COLD” range depending on the fluid temperature. See page 240
for additional information.
Exhaust system
Look for cracks, holes and loose supports. If you notice any change
in the sound of the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have the cause
located and corrected immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 31.)

INTRODUCTION
222Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a
short circuit.
Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you have not
forgotten any tools, rags, etc.
Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring could cause a fire in the
engine compartment.
Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or the
transmission could be damaged.
Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the wiper
frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
doityourself maintenance. Remember all Lexus parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):
Use API grade SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ,
”EnergyConserving” multigrade engine oil or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see page
232.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
Ethyleneglycol coolant
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)