1998 Lexus LS400 lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50498U)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
194
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded because
of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to ”START” with the accelerator pedal
held down. Continue this operation for 30 seconds and then stop
cranking. Then try starting the engine with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, release the
key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call a
Lexus dealer. Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance.
(See ”Foreword”.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring systems.
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your vehicle
which might result from battery explosion, acid burns, electrical
burns, or damaged electronic components, these instructions
must be followed precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we strongly
recommend that you seek help from your Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See ”Foreword”.).
CAUTION
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous and
corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when jump
starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin, clothing, or
vehicle.
If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in your
eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and flush the
affected area with water immediately. Then get immediate
medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with
a sponge or cloth while en route to the medical office.
The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if a
flame or spark is brought near. Use only standardized
jumper cables and do not smoke or light a match while
jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump start
unless you are sure that the booster battery is correct.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
195
40L002-7
5
Discharged battery 6
Booster battery
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make sure the
vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary lights and
accessories.2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster battery.
Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery. (This helps
reduce the explosion hazard, personal injuries and burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance interval battery, it
is not necessary to remove the vent plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not running,
start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump starting, run
the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator pedal lightly
depressed.
4. Locate positive (+) and negative () terminals of each battery.
Connect the jumper cables in the exact order (
1
2
3
4
)
shown in the illustration.
1
Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery.
2
Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red) cable
to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
3
Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative ()
terminal of the booster battery.
4
Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative (black) cable
to a solid, stationary, unpainted metallic point (e.g. engine
hanger) away from the battery. Do not connect it to or near any
part that moves when the engine is cranked.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
196
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury, do not
lean over the battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about
2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal lightly
depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the
negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example,
lights left on), you should have it checked.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating,
if you experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking
or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in ”P” and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of
steam or coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged
already. Call your Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.

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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
198Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ”P”. Block the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if
necessary.
Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point. Raising
the vehicle with jack improperly positioned will damage
the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and
cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported
by the jack alone.
Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.
Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under
the jack.
Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and change
the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short
distance can damage a tire beyond repair.
40L003-1
1
Tool box 2
Jack 3
Spare tire 4
Jack handle
1. Get the tool, jack and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize
yourself with the use of the jack and each tool, and their storage
locations.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
199
40L004-1
1
Joint
2
When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand in the
”contract” direction until the jack is free.
3
When storing, turn the joint by hand in the ”expand”
direction until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from
flying forward during a collision or sudden braking.
40L0051
To remove the spare tire:
1
Remove the spare tire cover.
2
Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the inner side of the wheel
facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the spare tire cover
to prevent the tire from flying forward during a collision or sudden
braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
200
40L0061
2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep the
vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking a wheel, place a wheel block in front of the front
wheels or behind the rear wheels.
40L0074
Paper for protecting surface
3. Remove the wheel ornament.
Pry off the wheel ornament, using the screwdriver as shown.
CAUTION
Do not try to pull off the ornament by hand. Take due care in
handling the ornament to avoid unexpected personal injury.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
201
40L0081
4. Loosen all the wheel nuts.
Always loosen the wheel nuts before raising the vehicle.
Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen them. To get maximum
leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle is on the right
side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the end of the handle
and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the wrench does not slip
off the nut.
Do not remove the nuts yet just unscrew them about onehalf turn.
40L0091
5. Position the jack at the jack points as shown.
Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid surface.