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

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
34
FUEL GAUGE
13L0011
Low fuel level warning light
The gauge is displayed when the ignition switch is on and
indicates the approximate quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
If the fuel level approaches ”E” or the low fuel level warning light
comes on, fill the fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank, the
fuel gauge needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level warning light
may come on earlier than usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on. Fill the fuel tank immediately.
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.
See the inner back cover for fuel capacity and recommended fuelselection.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13L0022
Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when the
ignition switch is on. The engine operating temperature will
vary with changes in weather and engine load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle and
allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions, such
as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
35 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in
stopandgo traffic.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine cooling system as
this may cause the engine to overheat. The thermostat is
designed to control the flow of coolant to keep the
temperature of the engine within the specified operating
range.
Do not continue driving with an overheated engine. See ”If
your vehicle overheats” on page 196.
TACHOMETER
13L0031
The tachometer indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm
(revolutions per minute). Use it while driving to prevent engine
overrevving.
Driving with the engine running too fast causes excessive engine
wear and poor fuel economy. Remember, in most cases the slower
the engine speed, the greater the fuel economy.
NOTICE
Do not let the indicator needle get into the red zone. This may
cause severe engine damage.

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
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
39
(e) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive belt.
If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the battery
properly.
If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower, radio,
etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or
loose.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ”Fuel gauge” on page 34
for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ”Fuel tank cap”
on page 65 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine electrical system
or electronic throttle control system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case c., have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(g) ”ABS” Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your antilock
brake system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ”ON”, and
will go off after about a few seconds.
When the ”ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system warning
light is off), the brake system operates conventionally but antilock
brake system is not assisting brake performance so that the wheels
could lock up during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.

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.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
41

or
5. Turn the ignition key to ”START”.
The following service reminder indicator should come on.
or
If any service reminder indicator or warning buzzer does not
function, either the bulb is burned out or circuit is in need of repair.
Have it checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
MULTI INFORMATION DISPLAY
13L0421
The multi information display provides cruise information on
your vehicle’s driving condition and warning messages if your
vehicle has trouble. During ordinary driving, cruise
information is shown in the display. However, if any problem
occurs in your vehicle, a warning message appears in place of
cruise information. To change to the cruise information display,
push the ”FUNCTION” button.