1998 Lexus LS400 radiator cap

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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
197 B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check
the following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the
acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has
cooled to normal, continue driving your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your
vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your
Lexus dealer.
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place well away from the traffic.
Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway. Park on a level
spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ”P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from
traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
NOTICE
For vehicles equipped with the height control switch, be sure to
turn the ignition switch off before jacking. If this is not done, the
vehicle height adjustment function will operate, which may
cause body damage.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the
possibility of personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.

ENGINE
233
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL
62L007-2
1
Reservoir cap 2
Upper line 3
Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the seethrough
coolant reservoir when the engine is cool. The coolant level is
satisfactory if it is between the upper and lower lines on the tank.
If the level is low, add ethyleneglycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine coolant
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the lower line, add
coolant to bring the level up to the upper line.
Use only ethyleneglycol type coolant. It will prevent freezing and
corrosion. Neither supplemental inhibitors nor additives are needed
nor recommended. (For information on ethyleneglycol coolant,
see also ”Engine coolant selection” described below.)If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there
may be a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses,
reservoir cap, drain cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap pressure
and check for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the reservoir cap
when the engine is hot.
Engine coolant selection
Your coolant must contain ethyleneglycol antifreeze. In addition
to preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this
will also prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or
additives are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the antifreeze container for information on freeze protection.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix with
water. The total capacity of the cooling system is given on page 226.
We recommend 50% solution be used for your Lexus, or a sufficient
quantity to provide protection to about 35C (31F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

INDEX (C E)
279
Consumer information
Uniform tire quality grading 244. . . . . . . . . . .
Controls, Instrument panel Pictorial index. . . . . .
Cooling system
Coolant level 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator and reservoir 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator cap 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion prevention 270
Cruise control 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise information 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D
Defogger, Rear window 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimmer switch, Headlight 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . .
Directional signals 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discharge warning light 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 217. . . . . . . .
Doityourself maintenance 221. . . . . . . . . . . .
Door locks 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver’s seat 2, 70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
Automatic transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips 180. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving position memory system 113. . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips
Driving tips in various conditions 181. . . . . . .
Driving with an automatic
transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Economical driving 189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good braking practice 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice 166
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
During breakin 181. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E
Economical driving .
Saving money on both fuel and
repairs 189. . . . . . . . . .
Electrical system
Battery 253. 257. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 249, 258, 260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 226. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 167. . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency, in case of
Blown fuse 259. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys 210
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 193. . . . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine
Antifreeze 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . .