2000 Lexus LS400 brake

STARTING AND DRIVING
322
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your reserved
vacuum.
 Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes
will still work. But you will have to push the pedal
hard, much harder than normal. And your braking
distance will be longer.
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to help
prevent lock±up of the wheels during a sudden
braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. This
assists in providing stability and steering
performance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the
anti±lock brake system function is in action, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Especially, in a panic stop,
you need to keep it depressed more firmly, and do not pump
the brake. Pumping the brake pedal makes the stopping dis-
tance longer.

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323
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when
the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces
such as on the manhole cover, the steel plate under the
construction, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy day
tends to activate the anti±lock brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle is started. This means
that the anti±lock brake system is in the self±check
mode, and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur, however, do not
indicate a malfunction of the system:

You may hear the anti±lock brake system operating
and feel the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations
of the vehicle body and steering wheel. You may also
hear the motor sound in the engine compartment
even after the vehicle is stopped.
 At the end of the anti±lock brake system activation,
the brake pedal may move a little to the forward.

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324
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti±lock brake system:
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the anti±lock
brake system on.
If tires grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the anti±lock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.

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325
Anti±lock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at the moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with an
anti±lock brake system, your vehicle may require a
longer stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at designated
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed, resulting
in a longer stopping distance.

STARTING AND DRIVING
326ºABSº warning light
31L019±2
The light comes on with the ignition key turned to ªONº.
If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light goes out after a few
seconds. Thereafter, if either of the systems
malfunctions, the light comes on.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system,
the brake assist system, the traction control system
and/or the vehicle skid control system do/does not
operate, but the brake system still operates
conventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system
does
not operate so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. If the following conditions occur, 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 with the ignition key
turned to ªONº, or remains on.
 The light comes on while driving.
If the light lit during driving goes out and does not come
on again, it is a normal operation.

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327
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake
system. This type of brake system needs
bedding±down of the brake shoes periodically or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are
replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.
Brake assist system
When you slam the brakes on, the brake assist
system judges as an emergency stop and provides
more powerful braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking
will be applied. At this time, you may hear a sound in the
engine compartment and feel the vibrations of the brake
pedal. This does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when
the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
For an explanation of this system's warning light, see
ªABSº w arning light on page 68 or 326 and ªV ehicle skid
control failure warningº on page 318.

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328
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.TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally
equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited
to highway driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction
performance as snow tires, summer tires are
inadequate for driving on snow±covered or icy roads.
For driving on snow±covered or icy roads, we
recommend using snow tires. If installing snow tires, be
sure to replace all four tires.

DRIVING TIPS
332
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new
Lexus. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600
km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long
life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between
2000 and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid full±throttle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200
miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either
fast or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel
(unleaded and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will
allow you much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right
angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects
and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to
severe tire damage resulting in tire bursts.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they
touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply
the parking brake, and place the transmission in ºPº.
If necessary, block the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water
may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet,
check that there is no traffic near you and then press
the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking
force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake
pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still do
not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
 Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
 Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.