2000 Lexus LS400 engine

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CAUTION
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,
then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving
it forward and backward. Do not attempt this procedure
if people or objects are anywhere near the vehicle.
During the rocking operation the vehicle may suddenly
move forward or backward as it becomes un±stuck,
causing injury or damage to nearby people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following precautions to prevent damage to thetransmission and other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal whileshifting the selector lever or before thetransmission is completely shifted to forwardor reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning thewheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking thevehicle several times, consider other wayssuch as towing.
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the
brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override
button. For instructions, see ºIf you cannot shift
automatic transmission selector leverº on page 384.

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ELECTRONIC THROTTLECONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always
maintains appropriate engine output in relation to
the accelerator opening in all driving conditions.
31L008a

1Power position 2Normal position
3Snow position
The electronic throttle control system has 3 modes:
Normal, Power and Snow modes.
Normal mode: For ordinary driving, Lexus
recommends that you use the normal mode to improve
fuel economy.
Power mode: For more powerful acceleration and
sporty driving.

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CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle
at a desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight
speed change may occur when driving up or down a
gradient, within the limits of engine performance. On
steeper hills, a great speed change will occur so it is
better to drive without the cruise control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION
To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow±covered) or winding roads.
 Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.

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3Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the ºRES/ACCº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held upward, the
vehicle will gradually gain speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed
and the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set
speed can be increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by
pressing the control lever upward in the ºRES/ACCº
direction quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the
vehicle and then press the control lever downward in the
ºSET/COASTº direction. 4 Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ºSET/COASTº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held downward, the
vehicle speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed
and the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set
speed can be lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by
pressing the control lever downward in the
ºSET/COASTº direction quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake
pedal and then press the control lever downward in the
ºSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you downshift the transmission from the ºDº
position to º4º with the cruise control on, engine braking
will not be applied because the cruise control is not
cancelled. To decrease the vehicle speed, reset to a
slower speed with the cruise control lever or depress the
brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise control
is cancelled.
5 Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control
lever or by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever
up in the ºRES/ACCº direction will restore the speed set
prior to cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed
falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will
not be resumed.

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31L052±1

Slip indicator light
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system
always turns on. Leave the system on during
ordinary driving so that it can operate when needed.
When traction control is applied, the slip indicator
light blinks.
You may hear a 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 traction control
system is in the self ±check mode, and does not indicate
malfunction.
When the traction control system is operating, you may
feel vi bration of your vehicle, caused by operation of the
brakes. This indicates the system is functioning
properly. When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc.
the traction control system will help operate to prevent
the wheels from spinning.
To turn off the traction control system, see page 317.

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VEHICLE SKID CONTROLSYSTEM
The vehicle skid control system helps to provide
comprehensive control of the systems such as an
anti±lock brake system, traction control, engine
control, electronically modulated air suspension,
etc. This system automatically controls the output
of the brakes or engine to help prevent the vehicle
from skidding when cornering on a slippery road
surface or abrupt steering wheel operation occurs.
31L052±1

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Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip
indicator light flashes and an alarm sounds.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle
speed is about more than 15 km/h (9 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly causes a small
noise from the engine compartment. This is a pump
pulsating sound of the brake system and it is not a
malfunction.
You may hear a 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 vehicle skid
control is in the self±check mode and does not indicate
a malfunction.
31L017b

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BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work.
However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your
stopping distance will be longer. Also, the brake system
warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist
the brakes. If the engine should quit while you are
driving, you can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal
pedal pressure. There is enough reserved vacuum for
one or two stops but no more!