2000 Lexus LS400 charging

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
67
(e) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the
engine drive belt.
If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge
the battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however,
until the battery is discharged. Turn off the air
conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the
nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ºFuel gaugeº
on page 57 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See
ºFuel tank capº on page 114 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine
electrical system, automatic transmission electrical
system or electronic throttle control system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ªc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
If this lamp comes on and the engine speed does not
increase with the accelerator pedal depressed down to
about the middle position, there may be a problem
somewhere in your electronic throttle control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more
firmly and slowly, you can drive your vehicle at low
speeds. Have your Lexus checked by your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality of the electronic throttle control
system is corrected during low speed driving, the system
may not be recovered until the engine is stopped and the
ignition key is turned to ªACCº or ªLOCKº position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
301
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down
between the fourth and overdrive gears when
climbing a gentle slope, shift the selector lever to the
º4º position. Be sure to shift the selector lever to the
ºDº position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient
engine braking and electrical charging performance,
do not use overdrive. The selector lever must be in
the º4º position.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the accelerator pedal. This can cause thetransmission to overheat. Always use the brakepedal or parking brake.
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck

DRIVING TIPS
343

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 356 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
356
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.

ENGINE
406± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
10.8 L (11.4 qt., 9.5 lmp.qt.)
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water
alone.
± FUELFuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Open voltage at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is
removed with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

SECTION 6 ± 4
444
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical components
Specifications444
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking battery condition 453
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery recharging precautions 457
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses 458 . . . . .
Checking the cartridge type fuses 463
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding washer fluid 464
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the headlight aim 465
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing light bulbs 468
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPECIFICATIONS
± FUSE LOCATIONS

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
449
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 TURN7.5Turn signal lights
2 WIPER20Windshield wipers
3 HEATER10
Air conditioning system,
Rear window defogger,
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system
4 FR FOG15Fog lights
5 ECU±IG10Power steering control system,
Charging system,
Vehicle skid control system
6 PWR±IG15
Automatic headlight leveling
system, Moon roof,
Headlight cleaner,
Power seat switch,
Tilt and telescopic steering,
Shift lock system
7 GAUGE10
Gauges and meters, service
reminder indicators and
warning buzzers,
Back±up lights,
Vehicle skid control system,
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, Automatic
transmission system
8 IGN10SRS, Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
451
20 STOP±S7.5
Shift lock system,
Height control system,
Anti±lock brake system,
Vehicle skid control system
21 RR S/HTR15No circuit
22 WASHER20Windshield washer
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
23 AIR SUS20Height control system
24 D RR
DOOR20Rear door lock,
Rear power window
25 HORN10Horns
26 ETCS15Electronic throttle control
system
27 H±LP L UPR10Left±hand headlight (high
beam)
28 H±LP R UPR10Right±hand headlight (high
beam)
29 EFI NO.210Emission control system
30 MIR±HTR15Outside rear view mirror
defogger
31 FR S/HTR15Seat heater
32 ALT±S7.5Charging system
33 TEL15Telephone
34 CRT15Multi information display