2000 Lexus LS400 engine coolant

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xi
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 59. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic transmission indicator lights 289 .
4 Turn signal indicator light 39
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Headlight indicator light 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Headlight high beam indicator light 39 . . . . . .
7 Fuel gauge 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Low fuel level warning light 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Cruise control indicator light 305
. . . . . . . . . . .
10 Discharge warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Driver's seat belt reminder light 66
. . . . . . . . . .
12 ODO/TRIP RESET button 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Open door warning light 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
14 SRS warning light
66
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Brake system warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Odometer and trip meter 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Multi information display 70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Slip indicator light 312, 316
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Malfunction indicator lamp 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Vehicle skid control system OFF
indicator light 317 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Anti±lock brake system warning light 68 . . . . .
22 Security indicator light 216
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Instrument panel light control 79
. . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Snow mode indicator light 303
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Power mode indicator light 303
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Height control indicator light 312
. . . . . . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xiii
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge 59. . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic transmission indicator lights 289 .
4 Turn signal indicator light 39
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Tail light indicator light 35
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Headlight high beam indicator light 39 . . . . . .
7 Fuel gauge 57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Low fuel level warning light 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Cruise control indicator light 305
. . . . . . . . . . .
10 Discharge warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Driver's seat belt reminder light 66
. . . . . . . . . .
12 ODO/TRIP RESET button 79
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Open door warning light 68
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page
14 SRS warning light
66
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Brake system warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Odometer and trip meter 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Multi information display 70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Slip indicator light 312, 316
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Malfunction indicator lamp 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Vehicle skid control system
OFF indicator light 317 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Anti±lock brake system warning light 68 . . . . .
22 Security indicator light 216
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Instrument panel light control 79
. . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Snow mode indicator light 303
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Power mode indicator light 303
. . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 1 ± 3
57
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Gauges, meters and service reminder
indicators
Fuel gauge57
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 60
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer and trip meter 61
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers 62 . . .
Multi information display 70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument panel light control 79
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FUEL GAUGE
13L001a

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
59
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13L002±2

Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature
when the ignition switch is on. The engine operating
temperature will vary with changes in weather and
engine load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your
vehicle and allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating
conditions, such as:
 Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
 Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.
 Idling for a long period with the air conditioning on in stop±and±go traffic.
 Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Do not remove the thermostat in the engine
cooling system as this may cause the engine to
overheat. The thermostat is designed to control the flow of coolant to keep thetemperature of the engine within the specifiedoperating range.
Do not continue driving with an overheatedengine. See ºIf your vehicle overheatsº onpage 356.

STARTING AND DRIVING
295
31l055a

1ºDº (Drive) position 2Brake pedal
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift
the selector lever to ºDº.
Always use the ºDº position to improve fuel economy
and quiet driving. Only in this position, shifting into the
overdrive gear is possible. However, while the engine
coolant temperature is low, the transmission will not shift
into the overdrive gear even in the ºDº position. (See º(b)
Using engine brakingº and º(f) Good driving practiceº for
exceptions.)
CAUTION
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.

DRIVING TIPS
333
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 296.
 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 wet. 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 417 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 453 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.

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.