1998 Lexus LS400 run flat

KEYS AND DOORS
8
KEYS
11L025-3
1
Master key (black) The master key works in every lock.
For your Lexus dealer to make you a new key with builtin
transponder chip, your dealer will need it.
2
Subkey (gray) The subkey will not open the trunk, trunk
main switch and the glovebox.
3
Key number plate Keep the plate in a safe place such as
your wallet, not in the vehicle.
The master key and subkey each have a transponder chip in their key
head which is very important for the immobiliser system function,
so be careful not to lose these keys. If you make your own duplicate
key, you will not be able to cancel the system or start the engine.
To protect things locked in the trunk or glovebox when you have
your vehicle parked, leave the subkey with the attendant.Since the doors and trunk lid can be locked without a key, you should
always carry a spare master key in case you accidentally lock your
keys inside the vehicle.
If you should lose your keys or if you need additional keys,
duplicates can be made by a Lexus dealer using the key number.
You should also put a copy of the key number with your important
papers.
11L003
Since a transponder chip is not built in this flat key, you cannot
start the engine with this key. Use this key to release the lock in
case you accidentally lock your keys inside the vehicle or trunk.
Insert your flat key in its key case as shown. We recommend that you
always carry this with you for emergency use. Do not leave it in your
vehicle.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
99 To provide proper restraint, use a child restraint system following the
manufacturer ’s instructions about the appropriate age and size of the
child for the restraint system.
Install the child restraint system correctly following the instructions
provided by its manufacturer of the system. General directions are
also provided under the following illustrations.
The child restraint system should be installed on the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
CAUTION
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system on the front
seat. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid
inflation of the airbag can cause death or serious injury if
a rearfacing child restraint system is put on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a forwardfacing child
restraint system on the front seat.
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on
the front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the
seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child. Do
not allow the child to lean over the front door or around the
front door even if the child is seated in a child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
After installing the child restraint system, make sure it is
secured in place according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. If it is not restrained securely, it may cause
death or serious injury to the child in the event of a sudden
stop or accident.
When not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with the
seat belt or place it in the trunk or somewhere other than in the
passenger compartment. This will prevent it from injuring
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Your vehicle has anchors for securing the top strap of a child restraint
system. The anchor nuts are welded beneath the sheet metal to
permit installation of an anchor bracket for a child restraint system.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
102
16L180-4
CAUTION
Never put a rearfacing child restraint system in the front seat
because the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger
airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child.
16L1602
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around the infant seat
following the instructions provided by its manufacturer and
inserting the tab into the buckle taking care not to twist the belt. Keep
the lap portion of the belt tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are
locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of the belt are
not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may
prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately
contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use the seat until the seat
belt is fixed. It cannot protect your child from injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
106
16L146
Move seat fully back
A forwardfacing child restraint system should be put on
the front seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the
seat as far back as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child. Do
not allow the child to lean over the front door or around the
front door even if the child is seated in a child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
16L1651
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around the convertible
seat following the instructions provided by its manufacturer and
inserting the tab into the buckle taking care not to twist the belt. Keep
the lap portion of the belt tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are
locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of the belt are
not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may
prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately
contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use the seat until the seat
belt is fixed. It cannot protect your child from injury.

DRIVING TIPS
189
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy
just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here
are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the
pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight
puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel
consumption.
Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once the engine is running
smoothly, begin driving but gently. Remember, however, that
on cold winter days this may take a little longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are
not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the
road on which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stopandgo driving wastes fuel.Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady
pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as
little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid
traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid
sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive,
the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you
will cut down on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the
curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only
causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine,
which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not
only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and
contribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and
lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule,
and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your
vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the separate ”Owner’s
Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.)
CAUTION

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
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.

INDEX (T W)
284
T
Tachometer 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Telescopic steering column 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft deterrent system 117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt steering wheel 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires
Chains 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing 202. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 241. . . . . . . . . .
Rotation 242. . . . . . . . . .
Snow 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare 198. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information 241. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform tire quality grading 244. . . . . . . . . . .
Tools 222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Emergency towing 208. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . .
Trailer 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 173. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transporting your Lexus by flat bed 206. . . . . .
Trip meter 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid opener 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signals 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twin trip meter 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
V
Vanity mirrors 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 174. . . . . . . . . . . . .
W
Warning buzzers 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning messages 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer fluid, Adding 261
Washing and waxing 271
Wheels, Aluminum 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper and washer switch 25. . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wireless remote control transmitter 11. . . . . . . . .