1998 Lexus LS400 ignition

STARTING AND DRIVING
175
Vehicle skid control failure warning
31L073
In the following cases, the warning message appears and the
reminder light next to the warning message and the ”VSC OFF”
indicator light come on. And the warning tone also sounds.
(a) After the removal of the battery terminals (See ”Initial
adjustment of vehicle skid control system” described below.)
(b) If the vehicle skid control system malfunctions
If the message appears for the cause of (b), have your vehicle
checked by Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Although the message appears, there is no problem to continue your
normal driving.
Initial adjustment of vehicle skid control system
After the battery terminals are disconnected, an initial adjustment
should be made. At this time, the reminder light comes on and the
warning message appears in the multi information display.
Make an initial adjustment in the following ways:
1. Apply the parking brake and put the transmission in ”P”.
2. Connect the battery terminals.
3. Turn the ignition switch on. At this time, the ”VSC OFF”
indicator light comes on and then about 6 seconds later, the reminder
light comes on and the ”CHECK VSC” warning message appears in
the multi information display.
4. The warning message and the ”VSC OFF” indicator light go out
about 15 seconds after the ignition switch is turned on. If the vehicle
is shaken after the ignition switch is turned to ”ON”, it may take
longer to go out the warning message.
If the warning message does not go out about 1 minute after you turn
the ignition switch on, turn it off and then on again.
If the vehicle is on the moving object like a ship or turntable, an
accurate adjustment cannot be made. Move the vehicle on the
ground (or the part not causing vibrations to the vehicle) and make
an adjustment from step 1.

STARTING AND DRIVING
178”ABS” warning light
31L019-2
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ”ON”
position. After about a few seconds, the light will go off.
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, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
Even if the antilock brake system should fail, the brake system will
still operate conventionally. But when the ”ABS” warning light is
on (and the brake system warning light is off), 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.
Have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Drumindisc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drumindisc type parking brake system. This
type of brake system needs beddingdown of the brake shoes
periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are
replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the beddingdown.
Brake pad wear limit warning message
31L082
When your brake pads are worn enough to require replacement,
the brake pad wear warning message in the multi information
display appears.
If the warning message in the multi information display appears
while driving, have the brake pads checked and replaced by your
nearest Lexus dealer immediately.
Continuous driving without replacing the brake pads will cause
expensive rotor damage and increasing brake pedal effort to get the
same stopping distance.

DRIVING TIPS
182Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 163.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
highspeed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet.
If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping
distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are
applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethyleneglycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be
in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 253
tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 232 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer
oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting.
If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer
they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or
obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock deicer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.

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
206From rear
40L0221
Place the ignition key in the ”ACC” position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the ”LOCK” position,
as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold
the front wheels straight.
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground
clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Otherwise, the bumper and/or underbody of the towed vehicle
will be damaged during towing.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
40L016
Tie down points
40L017-2

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
209
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid sudden
starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet and towing
cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing
vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelet
provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in
”N”. The ignition key must be in ”ACC” (engine off) or ”ON”
(engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SELECTOR LEVER
40L025-3
If you cannot shift the selector lever, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1
Turn the ignition key to ”LOCK” or ”ACC”. Make sure the
parking brake is applied. Pry up the cover with a flatbladed
screwdriver or equivalent.

INTRODUCTION
221
DOITYOURSELF SERVICE
PRECAUTIONS
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure given in this Section.
You should be aware that improper or incomplete servicing may
result in operating problems.
Performing doityourself maintenance during the warranty period
may affect your warranty coverage. Read the separate Lexus
Warranty statement for details and suggestions.
This Section gives instructions only for those items that are
relatively easy for an owner to perform. As explained in Section 5,
there are still a number of items that must be performed by a qualified
technician with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for doityourself maintenance,
see ”Parts and tools”.
Utmost care should be taken when working on your vehicle to
prevent accidental injury. Here are a few precautions that you should
be especially careful to observe:
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
(Removing rings, watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine compartment the engine,
radiator, exhaust manifold and power steering fluid
reservoir, etc. will be hot. So be careful not to touch them.
Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames around
fuel or the battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It
contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or other
solid supports.
Be sure the ignition is off if you work near the electric
cooling fan or radiator grille. With the ignition on, the
electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or if the coolant temperature is high.
Use eye protection whenever you work on or under your
vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or falling
material, fluid spray, etc.
NOTICE

INTRODUCTION
222Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a
short circuit.
Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you have not
forgotten any tools, rags, etc.
Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring could cause a fire in the
engine compartment.
Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or the
transmission could be damaged.
Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the wiper
frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
doityourself maintenance. Remember all Lexus parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):
Use API grade SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ,
”EnergyConserving” multigrade engine oil or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see page
232.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
Ethyleneglycol coolant
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)