1998 Lexus LS400 stop start

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
iii
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
The contents of this manual are explained briefly on this page to
help you make the best use of the manual. Please read this page
and the rest of the Owner’s Manual carefully to make sure you
fully understand the operation of your vehicle.
This will help you enjoy safe and comfortable driving.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The table of contents and the pictorial index provide easy reference
to the appropriate pages.
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
Operation of basic equipment is briefly explained in an easily
understandable way for quick reference.
SECTION 1 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
The vehicle’s equipment is divided into the 7 groups listed below.
Use of the equipment is explained, including any points you should
pay particular attention to.
1. Keys and doors
2. Switches
3. Gauges, meters and service reminder indicators
4. Interior equipment
5. Exterior equipment
6. Comfort adjustment
7. Theft deterrent
SECTION 2 AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
The features of the vehicle’s air conditioning and audio are explained
in detail. Be sure to read this section so that you can make full use
of them.
SECTION 3 STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the engine, driving, stopping, operation of features af fecting
vehicle handling, hints on vehicle safety and safe driving techniques
are all explained. Please read ev erything in this section, and
remember drive safely!
SECTION 4 IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
This section explains what to do in the event of an urgent situation
such as the engine not starting or getting a flat tire, etc. If such a
problem occurs, check the contents of this Owner’s Manual and
follow the instructions given.
SECTION 5 MAINTENANCE
This section explains the impor tance of regular maintenance.
Regular and periodic inspection and maintenance of your Lexus will
help to keep your vehicle in its best condition.
SECTION 6 SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are provided here
for your reference should you wi sh to perform inspection and
maintenance yourself.

KEYS AND DOORS
9
NOTICE
Do not let the key case become bent as the key may fall out or
become bent also.
The flat key is designed for emergency use only.
11L021-2
NOTICE
When using a key containing a transponder chip, observe the
following precautions:
When starting the engine, do not use the key with a key ring
resting on the key grip and do not press the key ring against
the key grip. Otherwise the engine may not start, or may stop
soon after it starts.
11L022-2
When starting the engine, do not use the key in contact with
another transponder key (including keys of other vehicles)
and do not press another key plate against the key grip.
Otherwise the engine may not start, or may stop soon after it
starts.

KEYS AND DOORS
15
Operating the windows and moon roof
The windows and moon roof can be operated using a wireless key
from outside the vehicle.*
NOTE: *The windows can be set inoperative. The moon roof can
be set to slide open, tilt up or inoperative. Ask your Lexus dealer
for details.
11L0322
Push the ”UNLOCK” button until the windows and moon roof start
to move. When you release the button, the windows and moon roof
stop operating.
For vehicles sold in U.S.A.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio / TV
technician for help.

SWITCHES
23 Daytime Running Light System (Canada only)
The headlights turn on when the parking brake is released with the
engine started, even with the light switch in the ”OFF” position.
They will not go off until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel lights, twist
the knob to the first clickstop.
Under the daytime running light system, the headlights turn on at
reduced intensity. Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn to
full intensity for driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (”AUTO”), the
headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity and/or turn on
the other lights depending on the darkness of the surroundings.
Likewise, as the surroundings become brighter, the headlights will
turn to reduced intensity, ultimately turning off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the
lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
Automatic headlight leveling system (Vehicles with
discharge headlight only)
As the headlight beam level is always maintained automatically at
the proper level in all loading conditions, your headlights do not
dazzle other road users.
If this system fails, the multi information display shows a message
”HEADLIGHT LEVELING”. If this occurs, have your vehicle
checked by Lexus dealer.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
37 (f) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(g) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer.
(h) Close all doors.
(i) Low fuel level Fill up tank.
warning light
(j) Key reminder buzzer Remove key.
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light has the following two functions:
Parking brake reminder
If this light is on, make sure the parking brake is fully released. The
light should go off.
Low brake fluid level warning
If this light comes on and stays on while you are driving, slow down
and pull off the road. Then stop the vehicle carefully. Remember
that stopping distance and pedal effort may be increased. There may
be a problem somewhere in the brake system. Check the fluid level
of the seethrough reservoir.
To make sure the parking brake has not caused the warning light to
come on, check to see that the parking brake is fully released.
If the brake fluid level is low ...
At a safe place, test your brakes by starting and stopping.
If you judge that the brakes still work adequately, drive cautiously
to your nearest dealer or shop for repairs.
If the brakes are not working, have the vehicle towed in for
repairs. (For towing information, see page 205.)
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving normally when the brake
fluid level is low.
or

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
38If the brake fluid level is correct ...
Have the warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ”ON” or ”START”, the reminder
light flashes and buzzer sounds if the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light stays flashing
and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Front Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
Once the ignition key is turned to ”ON” or ”START”, the reminder
light flashes if a passenger sits in the front passenger seat and does
not fasten the seat belt. Unless the front passenger fastens the belt,
the light stays flashing.
If luggage load is placed on the front passenger seat, depending on
its weight and how it is placed on the seat, builtin sensors in the seat
cushion may detect the pressure, causing the reminder light to come
on.
(d) SRS Warning Light
The indicators come on when the ignition key is turned to the
”ACC” or ”ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS is operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assemblies, inflators, seat belt pretensioners, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.
The light does not come on as described above.
The light stays on or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front passenger
airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side airbags and/or seat belt
pretensioners fail.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
43
Current fuel consumption
W28
W28
The current fuel consumption is calculated and displayed based
on the driving distance and the fuel consumption for 2 seconds
with the engine running.
The value is updated every 2 seconds.
If you are driving at low speeds just before stopping, the accurate
figure may not be shown.
Average fuel consumption after being refueled
W29
W29
The average fuel consumption after being refueled is calculated
and displayed based on the total driving distance and the total
fuel consumption after being refueled.
The value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ”RESET” button.
Driving distance after being refueled
W30
W30
The driving distance after being refueled is displayed.
Elapsed time
W31
W31
The total time during the engine running is displayed.
When the engine is started again after the ignition is off, the driving
time is added to the previous value. Up to 99 hours 59 minutes can
be displayed. When the driving time exceeds 99 hours 59 minutes,
the display returns to 0 and recounting starts.
To count from the beginning, push the ”RESET” button.
Average vehicle speed
W32
W32
The average vehicle speed is calculated and displayed based on
the total driving distance and the total driving time with the
engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ”RESET” button.

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.
W52 W52
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.
W48 W48
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.