1998 Lexus LS400 airbag

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
98
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint systems for
children small enough to use them.
The laws of all fifty states in the U.S.A. and Canada now require the
use of a child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should sit
in the rear seat and must be restrained using the vehicle’s seat belt.
See ”Seat belts” on page 80 for details.
CAUTION
For effective protection in automobile accidents and
sudden stops, children must be properly restrained using a
seat belt or child restraint depending on age and size.
Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a child
restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed
against the windshield, or between you and the vehicle’s
interior if you are unrestrained.
Lexus strongly urges use of a proper child restraint which
conforms to the size of the child and is put on the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, the child is safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system on the front
seat. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid
inflation of the airbag can cause death or serious injury if
a rearfacing child restraint system is put on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a forwardfacing child
restraint system on the front seat.
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on
the front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the
seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child.
Make sure you have complied with all installation
instructions provided by the child restraint manufacturer
and that the system is properly secured. Do not allow the
child to lean over the front door or around the front door
even if the child is seated in a child restraint system. It is
dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the impact could
cause death or serious injury to the child.
Child restraint system
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be
properly restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the
lap/shoulder belt. You must carefully consult the
manufacturer’s instructions which accompany by your child
restraint system.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
99 To provide proper restraint, use a child restraint system following the
manufacturer ’s instructions about the appropriate age and size of the
child for the restraint system.
Install the child restraint system correctly following the instructions
provided by its manufacturer of the system. General directions are
also provided under the following illustrations.
The child restraint system should be installed on the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
CAUTION
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system on the front
seat. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid
inflation of the airbag can cause death or serious injury if
a rearfacing child restraint system is put on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a forwardfacing child
restraint system on the front seat.
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on
the front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the
seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child. Do
not allow the child to lean over the front door or around the
front door even if the child is seated in a child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
After installing the child restraint system, make sure it is
secured in place according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. If it is not restrained securely, it may cause
death or serious injury to the child in the event of a sudden
stop or accident.
When not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with the
seat belt or place it in the trunk or somewhere other than in the
passenger compartment. This will prevent it from injuring
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Your vehicle has anchors for securing the top strap of a child restraint
system. The anchor nuts are welded beneath the sheet metal to
permit installation of an anchor bracket for a child restraint system.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
102
16L180-4
CAUTION
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system in the front seat
because the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger
airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child.
16L1602
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around the infant seat
following the instructions provided by its manufacturer and
inserting the tab into the buckle taking care not to twist the belt. Keep
the lap portion of the belt tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are
locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of the belt are
not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may
prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately
contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use the seat until the seat
belt is fixed. It cannot protect your child from injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
105 (B) Convertible seat installation
16L1582
A convertible seat is used in forwardfacing and rearfacing
positions depending on the age and size of the child. When
installing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions about the
appropriate age and size of the child as well as direction for installing
of a child restraint system.
16L181-4
CAUTION
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system in the front
seat because the force of the rapid inflation of the front
passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to the
child.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
106
16L146
Move seat fully back
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on
the front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the
seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child. Do
not allow the child to lean over the front door or around the
front door even if the child is seated in a child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
16L1651
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around the convertible
seat following the instructions provided by its manufacturer and
inserting the tab into the buckle taking care not to twist the belt. Keep
the lap portion of the belt tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are
locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of the belt are
not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may
prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately
contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use the seat until the seat
belt is fixed. It cannot protect your child from injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
109 (C) Booster seat installation
16L1594
A booster seat is used in forwardfacing position only.
16L152
Move seat fully back
CAUTION
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on the
front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat
as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying airbag
could cause death or serious injury to the child. Do not allow
the child to lean over the front door or around the front door
even if the child is seated in a child restraint system. It is
dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the impact could
cause death or serious injury to the child.

BODY
273
CLEANING THE INTERIOR
CAUTION
Be careful not to splash water or spill liquid on the floor.
This may prevent the side airbags from activating
correctly, resulting in serious injury.
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water, or allow water to
get onto the floor when cleaning the vehicle interior or
exterior. Water may get into audio components or other
electrical components above or under the floor carpet (or
mat) and cause a malfunction; and it may cause body
corrosion.
Leather Interior
The selected leather is used in your Lexus. Due to a leather product,
some parts of leather may be rough, uneven or scratched originally.
To keep good appearance, we recommend you to clean it
periodically twice a year.
Remove dirt on the leather in the following ways:
1. Wipe it off lightly using a soft cloth (e.g. gauze) dampened with
5% solution of neutral detergent for wool.
2. Wring water from a clean cloth and thoroughly wipe off all traces
of detergent with it.3. Wipe off the surface of the leather with a dry soft cloth. Allow
the leather to dry in a ventilated shaded area. Excess of wet may
cause the hardening or shrinking of the leather.
NOTICE
Dirt or sand adhered to the leather may damage the treated
surface and cause it to wear earlier. Remove dirt or sand
using a vacuum cleaner.
If a stain should fail to come out with a neutral detergent,
apply a cleaner that does not contain an organic solvent.
Never use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol or
gasoline, or alkaline or acid solutions for cleaning the leather
as these could cause discoloring.
Use of a nylon brush or synthetic fiber cloth, etc. may scratch
the fine grained surface of the leather.
Mildew may develop on soiled leather upholstery. Be
especially careful to avoid oil spots. Try to keep your
upholstery always clean.
Long exposure to direct sunlight may cause the leather
surface to harden and shrink. Keep your vehicle in a shaded
area, especially in the summer.
The interior of your vehicle is apt to heat up on hot summer
days, so avoid placing on the upholstery items made of vinyl
or plastic or containing wax as these tend to stick to leather
when warm.
Improper cleaning of the leather upholstery could result in
discoloration or staining.

INDEX (A C)
278
A
”ABS” warning light 178
Adding washer fluid 261. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment
Driver’s seat lumbar support 73. . . . . . . . . . . .
Front seat cushion angle and height 72. . . . . .
Front seat position 71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front seatback angle 72
Seat belts 80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Airbags (SRS) 86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 247. . . . . . . . . . .
Antifreeze 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antilock brake system 177. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antitheft steering column lock 157. . . . . . . . . .
Appearance care
Cleaning the interior 273
Protecting your Lexus from corrosion 270. . .
Washing and waxing 271
Audio system 132. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic air conditioning controls 121. . . . . . .
Automatic transmission
Driving with an automatic
transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift pattern 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting speed 163. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary catch, Engine hood 62. . . . . . . . . . . . .
B
Battery
Checking battery condition 253. . . . . . . . . . . .
Recharging precautions 257. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Belts
Seat belts 80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear limit warning light 178. . . . . . .
Brake system warning light 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes
Antilock brake system 177. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Booster 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking tips 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid level 239. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pad wear limit warning light 178. . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake reminder light 37. . . . . . . . . . . .
Breakin period 181. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brightness control 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C
Carbon monoxide caution 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette tape player 140
Car audio operating tips 148. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center vents 130. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the
blade type fuses 258. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 239. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the cartridge type fuses 260. . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 230. . . . . . . . . . . .
Child restraint 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child restraint precautions 98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Childprotector, Rear door 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette lighter and ashtray 52. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning the interior 273. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cold weather, Operation 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact disc player 143. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Converter, Threeway catalytic 155. . . . . . . . . .