1998 Lexus LS400 parking brake

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section.
PICTORIAL INDEX
vii
Page
1
Door lock switch and power window
switches 19, 28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
2 Driving position memory switch 113
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Shoulder anchor control switch 83
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Power rear view mirror control switch 78
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Parking brake release lever 158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Fuel filler door opener 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Trunk lid opener 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Parking brake 158
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Headlight, turn signal and fog
light switch 22, 24, 25
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Windshield wiper and washer switch 25
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Multi information control switch 41
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Cruise control switch 168
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
13 Outside temperature display
51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Clock 51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
15 Emergency flasher switch 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Automatic air conditioning controls 121
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Car audio 132
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
18 Vehicle skid control system off switch 173
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Headlight cleaner switch 27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Seat heater switches 32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Ashtray 52
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
22 Height control switch 171
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Driving pattern selector switch 160
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Automatic transmission selector lever 160
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 CD automatic changer 143
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Glovebox 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. .

00L011-2
00L012-5
Shift while pressing the brake pedal. (Ignition
switch must be in the ”ON” position.)
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
4
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OPERATION OF SELECTOR LEVER
SELECTOR LEVER POSITION
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
4:Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive
not possible)*
3, 2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking
*: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift from ”D” to ”4”, engine braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 170.

00L013
00L014
High beam
Headlight flasherParking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
00L013
00L013
Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on
at full intensity.
Automatic light controlParking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
5
4. HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SW
ITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR U.S.A.)
HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR CANADA)
With the ignition OFF
With the engine started and parking brake
released

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
36
ODOMETER AND TRIP METER
13L0041
This meter displays the odometer and two trip meters. To
change the mode indication, push the ”ODO/TRIP” button.
The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has been
driven. The twin trip meter records two different distances
independently.
For example, you can use one meter to calculate the fuel economy
and the other to measure the distance on each trip.
To change the trip meter indication from one trip to the other,
push the ”ODO/TRIP” button. To set the A trip meter to zero,
display the A meter reading, then push the ”RESET” button.
The same applies for the B trip meter.
The data of trip meters will be cancelled if the electrical power
source is disconnected.
SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
AND WARNING BUZZERS
IF THIS INDICATOR
OR BUZZER COMES
ON ...DO THIS.
(a) If parking brake is off,
stop and check.
(b) Fasten driver’s seat belt.

(Indicator and buzzer)
(c) Fasten front passenger’s
seat belt.
(Under the center vent)
(d) Take vehicle to Lexus
dealer immediately.
(e) Stop and check.

or

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
40
(i) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes nearly
empty. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank, the
low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
(j) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver’s door with the ignition key in the ”ACC” or ”LOCK”
position.
How to check all the service reminder indicators
(except the low fuel level warning light):
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open the door.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It goes
off when you close the door completely.
3. Turn the ignition key to ”ACC”.
The following service reminder indicator should come on. It goes
off after 6 seconds.
4. Turn the ignition key to ”ON”.
The following service reminder indicators should come on.

or
The following service reminder indicators go off after 3 seconds.

SECTION 3 1
154
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Threeway catalytic converter 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 159. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronically modulated air suspension 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 173. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 174. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .