1999 Lexus LS400 air conditioning

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
266Use high±quality cassettes:

Low±quality cassette tapes can cause many
problems, including poor sound, inconsistent playing
speed, and constant auto±reversing. They can also
get stuck or tangled in the cassette player.
 Do not use a cassette if it has been damaged or
tangled or if its label is peeling off.
 Do not leave a cassette in the player if you are not
listening to it, especially if it is hot outside.
 Store cassettes in their cases and out of direct
sunlight.
 Avoid using cassettes with a total playing time longer
than 100 minutes (50 minutes per side). The tape
used in these cassette is thin and could get stuck or
tangled in the cassette player. Caring for your compact disc player and discs
20L037

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
267

Use only compact discs labeled as shown. The
player is intended for use with 12 cm (4.7 in.) discs
only.
 Extremely high temperature can keep your compact
disc player from working. On hot days, use air
conditioning to cool the vehicle interior before you
listen to a disc.
 Bumpy roads or other vibrations may make your
compact disc player skip.
 If moisture gets into your compact disc player, you
may not hear any sound even though your compact
disc player appears to be working. Remove the
magazine from the player and wait until it dries.
20e081
Your automatic changer cannot play special shaped
compact discs as shown. Do not use them as the
changer could be damaged.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
268
20L038

Correct
Wrong
Handle compact discs carefully, especially when you
set them into the magazine. Hold them on the edge
and do not bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints on
them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or other disc
damage could cause the player to skip or to repeat a
section of a track. (To see a pin hole, hold the disc up
to the light.)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
269
20L039
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a soft, lint±free
cloth that has been dampened with water. Wipe in a
straight line from the center to the edge of the disc (not
in a circle). Do not use a conventional record cleaner or
anti±static device.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
270
20L040
A new disc may have rough edges on its inner and
outer perimeter. Remove the rough edges by
pressing the side of a ball±point pen or pencil
against the inner and outer edges of the disc as
shown.
If you continue to play a disc with rough edges, flakes will
fall on to the signal side of the disc and cause sound
skipping or other problems.
CAUTION
Compact disc players use invisible laser beams which
could cause hazardous radiation exposure if directed
outside the unit. Be sure to operate the player correctly
as instructed.

DRIVING TIPS
334
Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could
hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before
making a turn to avoid the need of sudden braking.
 Remember that when making a turn, the trailer
wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the
inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by
making a larger than normal turning radius with your
vehicle.
 Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect
handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway.
Pay attention to the rear from time to time to prepare
yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses,
which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If
swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and
reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never
increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed,
brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you make no
extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your
vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
 Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing
requires considerable distance. After passing a
vehicle, do not forget the l ength of your trailer and be
sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
 In order to maintain efficient engine braking and
electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive. Transmission must be in the º4º position. 
Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures
over 30C [85F]) when going up a long or steep
grade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the
air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the
road and stop in a safe spot. See ºIf your vehicle
overheatsº on page 347 of this manual.
 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle
and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking
brake firmly. Put the transmission in ºPº. Avoid
parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be
avoided, do so only after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your
brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
349
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 p arking brake and put the transmission
in ºPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away

MAINTENANCE
384Engine oil level
Check
the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off
and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 405 for
additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in
the ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 419 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or
smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 3±1.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds,
and visual tip±offs that indicate service is needed. Some
important clues are:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water
dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a
dangerous carbon monoxide leak. Drive with the
windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)

Flat±looking tires, excessive tire squeal when
cornering, uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a
level road

Strange noises related to suspension movement

Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake
pedal, pedal almost touches floors, vehicle pulls to
one side when braking

Engine coolant temperature continually higher than
normal