1999 Lexus LS400 battery

STARTING AND DRIVING
310
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 ºVSC OFFº indicator light come
on. And the warning tone also sounds.
(a) After the removal of the battery terminals (See ºInitial
adjustment of vehicle skid control systemº 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

STARTING AND DRIVING
311
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
ºPº.
2. Connect the battery terminals.
3. Turn the ignition switch on. At this time, the ºVSC
OFFº indicator light comes on and then about 6 seconds
later, the reminder light comes on and the ºCHECK VSCº
warning message appears in the multi information
display.
4. The warning message and the ºVSC OFFº indicator
light go out about 15 seconds after the ignition switch is
turned on. If the vehicle is shaken after the ignition
switch is t urned to ºONº, 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.

DRIVING TIPS
324
Do 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 288.
 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
high±speed 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 high±speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
 Do not continue normal driving when the
brakes are w et. 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 a proper freeze protection of
engine coolant.
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components. Use ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent. See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on
page 409 for instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water
alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60%
solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to
about ±50 C (±58 F). Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.
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 443 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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
342
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOTSTART
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have
followed the correct starting procedure instructions in
ºHow to start the engineº on page 280 and that you have
sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is equipped with the
engine immobiliser system, also check whether the
other keys will start the engine. If they work, your key
may be broken. Have the key checked at your Lexus
dealer. If none of your keys work, the system is possibly
broken. Call your Lexus dealer. See ºKeysº on page 9.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly ±
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior
light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is
cranked, the battery is discharged. You may try jump
starting. See º(c) Jump startingº for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it
needs adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer,
Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance.
(See ºForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle or cause a collision when theengine starts. Also the three±way catalyticconverter may overheat and become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will
not start ±
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See º(b) Starting a flooded engineº for further
instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or
repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or
Customer Service Assistance. (See ºForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
344
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to
your vehicle which might result from battery
explosion, acid burns, electrical burns, or damaged
electronic components, these instructions must be
followed precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ºForewordº.).
CAUTION
 Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous
and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when
jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin,
clothing, or vehicle.
 If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in
your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and
flush the affected area with water immediately. Then
get immediate medical attention. If possible,
continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
en route to the medical office.
 The gas normally produced by a battery will explode
if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
345
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Donot jump start unless you are sure that thebooster battery is correct.
40L002-7

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
346

5Discharged battery 6Booster battery
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle,
make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all
unnecessary lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster
battery. (This helps reduce the explosion hazard,
personal injuries and burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance
interval battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent
plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is
not running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes.
During jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm
with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate pos
itive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order
(
1 2 3 4) shown in the illustration.
1 Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
2 Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive
(red) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
3 Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the
negative (±) terminal of the booster battery.
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative
(black) cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted
metallic point (e.g. engine hanger) away from the
battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that
moves when the engine is cranked.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
347
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury,
do not lean over the battery or accidentally let the
jumper cables or clamps touch anything except the
correct battery terminals or the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting,
run it at about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the
accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse
order: the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which
may now contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent
(for example, lights left on), you should have it checked.IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if
you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the
engine has probably overheated.