1999 Lexus LS400 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

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
350from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
NOTICE
For vehicles equipped with the height control
switch, be sure to turn the ignition switch offbefore jacking. If this is not done, the vehicleheight adjustment function will operate, whichmay cause body damage.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:
 Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not put any part of your body under a
vehicle supported by a jack. Personal injury
may occur.
Do not start or run the engine while your
vehicle is supported by the jack.
 Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly
set the parking brake and put the transmission
in ºPº. 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

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
374
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 cableor chain to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in ºNº. The ignition key must be in ºACCº
(engine off) or ºONº (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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
377
IF YOU LOSE YOUR KEYS ORLOCK YOURSELF OUT
Many Lexus dealers can make a new key if you can
give them the key number. Since your vehicle is
equipped with the engine immobiliser system, the
dealer will also need your master key.
See the suggestion given in ºKeysº on page 9.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get
a duplicate, many Lexus dealers can still open the door
for you, using their special tools. If you must break a
window to get in, we suggest breaking the smallest side
window because it is the least expensive to replace. Be
extremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.
Even if you lose only one key, contact your Lexus dealer
to make a new key. If you lose all your master keys, you
cannot make new keys; the whole system must be
replaced.

MAINTENANCE
381
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that
should be performed at the intervals specified. It is
recommended that any problem you notice be brought
to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to
time, unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
pressure label. See page 421 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 425 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation
Rotate
the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page
423 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other
fluid after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you
smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the
engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when the
primary latch is released.

MAINTENANCE
383
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on
a safe incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the
parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held
securely with the selector lever in ºPº position and all
brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to
time, e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page
459 for additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and
Lower lines on the see±through reservoir when the
engine is cold. See page 409
for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not
have to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery,
however, see page 443 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 417
for additional information.

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

SECTION 6 ± 1
386
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Introduction
Vehicle identification386
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do±it±yourself service precautions 390
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 392
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
61L002