1998 Lexus LS400 fuel

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
65
FUEL TANK CAP
15L006
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the lever under the
instrument panel.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames when
refuelling. The fumes are flammable.
When opening the cap, do not remove the cap quickly. In
hot weather, fuel under pressure could cause injury by
spraying out of the filler neck if the cap is suddenly
removed.
15L007-1
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap slowly
counterclockwise, then pause slightly before removing it. The
removed cap can be stored on the back side of the fuel filler door.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is opened.
When installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on. Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the
indicator lamp does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
66
CAUTION
Make sure the cap is tightened securely to prevent fuel
spillage in case of an accident.
Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for replacement. It
has a builtin check valve to reduce fuel tank vacuum.
In case the opener is not actuated
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Pull the manual lever toward the back.
This is used in case the fuel filler door cannot be opened due to a
discharged battery or other trouble.
MOON ROOF
15L0241
1
Open 2
Close
To slide open the moon roof, push the switch toward the back for
about 1 second. The moon roof will fully open. To stop partway,
push the same switch or push the ”TILT” switch.
The sun shade can be opened or closed manually. However, if you
open the moon roof, the sun shade will be opened with the moon
roof.
To close the moon roof, push the switch toward the front for
about 1 second. The moon roof will fully close. To stop partway,
push the same switch or push the ”TILT” switch.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
127 For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control button set to
OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is used during heating, the
windows will fog up more easily.
To change the sensitivity of the sensor switching between the
RECIRCULATED and OUTSIDE AIR in the AUTOMATIC
mode, push the air intake control button until you hear a beep.
The display changes as illustrated below.
21L044
Each time you push the ”TEMP” button, the sensitivity changes from
”+3” down to ”3”. If you do not operate any button for a few
seconds, the previous display returns.If manual onoff of the air conditioning is desired
Push the ”A/C” button to turn the air conditioning on and push it
again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature is
lowered down to around 0C (32F).
If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry weather or
removing frost or exterior fog on the windshield, turn the air
conditioning off once it is no longer required. This will improve fuel
economy. The air conditioning can be used for yearround
automatic temperature control including cooling and dehumidifying
operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the indicator of
the ”A/C” button will blink. If the indicator of the ”A/C” button
blinks even when the ”A/C” button is pushed again, have the
compressor checked by your nearest Lexus dealer.

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

STARTING AND DRIVING
159
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ”P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ”N”. A starter
safety device will prevent the starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until you are ready
to drive off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
”Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the proper
airfuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot engine as
follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ”START”. Release it when the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready to drive.If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a few
minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the engine
is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ”If your vehicle will not start” on page 193.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,
have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
162
31L008-3
1
Power mode 2
Normal mode 3
Snow mode
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the ”Normal”
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which allows
you to select ”Power”, ”Normal” or ”Snow” mode to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the ”Normal” position to improve fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use the
”Power” position.
In the POWER position, the ”ECT PWR” light in the instrument
cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle
speeds and shifted down more responsively than in the NORMAL
position.
For ”Snow” mode, see ”Electronic Throttle Control System” on
page 167.
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1
”D” (Drive) position 2
Brake pedal
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to ”D”.
Always use the ”D” position to improve fuel economy and quiet
driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive gear is
possible. However, while the engine coolant temperature is low, the
transmission will not shift into the overdrive gear even in the ”D”
position. (See ”(b) Using engine braking” and ”(f) Good driving
practice” for exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while shifting.

STARTING AND DRIVING
167
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake pedal is
depressed, use the shift lock override button. For instructions, see
”If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever” on page
209.
(i) If the ”ECT PWR” indicator light flashes
If the ”ECT PWR” indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the transmission
system.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE
CONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator opening
in all driving conditions.
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1
Power mode 2
Normal mode 3
Snow mode
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes: Normal,
Power and Snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that you
use the normal mode to improve fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving.