2000 Lexus LS400 heating

SWITCHES
55
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat
heater because they may experience minor burns even
at low temperatures. Use extra caution for;
Babies, small children, elderly persons, sick persons
or handicapped persons
 Persons who have delicate skin
 Persons who are exhausted
 Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which
induce sleep (sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.).
To prevent the seat from overheating, do not use the
seat heater with a blanket, cushion, or other insulating
objects which cover the seat.

AIR CONDITIONING
230SETTING OPERATION ± manual control
When one of the manual control buttons is
depressed while operating in automatic mode, the
mode rel
evant to the depressed button is set. Other
conditions continue to be adjusted automatically.
If manual air flow selection is desired ±
21L006-3
The outlets from which air is delivered can be selected
manually by pushing the button. The function of each
mode is as follows:
1 Panel ± Air flows mainly from the instrument panel
vents.
2 Bi±level ± Air flows from both the floor vents and
the instrument panel vents.
3 Floor ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents.
4Floor/Windshield ± Air flows mainly from the floor
vents and windshield vents. If quick heating or cooling is desired ±
Push the ºTEMPº or ºPASSENGER TEMPº button on
either
side and hold it until ºMAX. HOTº or ºMAX. COLDº
appears on the display.
If manual fan speed control is desired ±

AIR CONDITIONING
232
21L008-4
Each time you push the air intake control button, the
mode changes in order from the RECIRCULATED AIR
mode to AUTOMATIC mode to OUTSIDE AIR mode,
then back to the RECIRCULATED AIR mode. Each
indicator light shows which mode is now selected.
1RECIRCULATED mode ± If quick circulation of
cooled air is desired, select this mode.
2EXHAUST GAS AUTOMATIC mode ± If the
outside air contains harmful substances like
exhaust gas (i.e., when the vehicle running just in
front of your vehicle accelerates rapidly), the
system changes automatically from the OUTSIDE
AIR mode (with indicators
2 and 3 on) to the
RECIRCULATED mode (with indicators 1 and 2 on).
3 OUTSIDE AIR mode ± The system will take fresh
outside air into the vehicle. Turning off the air conditioning manually will cancel the
EXHAUST GAS AUTOMATIC mode. If you select the
ªAUTOº mode during fan operating, the air conditioning
turns on and the EXHAUST GAS AUTOMATIC mode
will operate.
For normal use, it is best to keep the air intake control
button set to OUTSIDE AIR mode. If recirculated air is
used
during heating, the windows will fog up more easily.
To change the sensitivity of the sensor switching
between the RECIRCULATED and OUTSIDE AIR in
the AUTOMATIC mode, push the air intake control
button until you hear a beep. The display changes
as illustrated below.
The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted only while
the vehicle has stopped.

AIR CONDITIONING
233
21L044
When you push either side of the ºTEMPº button several
times, the sensitivity changes from º+3º down to º±3º. If
you do not operate any button for a few seconds, the
previous display returns.
If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ºA/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and
push it again to turn the air conditioning off. If you turn
off the air conditioning manually, the EXHAUST GAS
AUTOMATIC mode will be cancelled.
If the outside temperature is lowered down to around
0 C ( 3 2 F), the air conditioning will turn off
automatically. At this time, the indicator on the A/C
button is off and the EXHAUST GAS AUTOMATIC
indicator light remains on. However, the EXHAUST
GAS AUTOMATIC mode does not operate. When the
air conditioning turns on as with the raised temperature,
the EXHAUST GAS AUTOMATIC mode resumes. If the system is used for ventilation, heating in dry
weather or removing frost or exterior fog on the
windshield, turn the air conditioning off once it is no
longer
required. This will improve fuel economy. The air
conditioning can be used for year±round automatic
temperature control including cooling and dehumidifying
operation.
If the air conditioning compressor does not operate, the
indicator of the ºA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of
the ºA/Cº button blinks even when the ºA/Cº button is
pushed again, have the compressor checked by your
nearest Lexus dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
282
To ensure that the three±way catalytic
converter and the entire emission controlsystem operate properly, your vehicle mustreceive the periodic inspections required bythe Lexus Maintenance Schedule. Forscheduled maintenance information, refer tothe ªOwner's Manual Supplement /
Maintenance Scheduleº.ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
 Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains
carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or
out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this
a particularly dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do
so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating
or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.

STARTING AND DRIVING
298
CAUTION
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.
(c) Using the º3º, º2º and ºLº positions
The º3º, º2º and ºLº positions are used for strong engine\
braking as described previously.
With the selector lever in º3º, º2º or ºLº, you can start the
vehicle in motion as with the lever in ºDº.
With the selector lever in º3º or º2º, the vehicle will star\
t
in the first gear and automatically shift to the third or
second gear.
With the selector lever in ºLº, the transmission is
engaged in the first gear.NOTICE
Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the tachometer to keep engine rpm from going intothe red zone. The approximate maximumallowable speed for each position is givenbelow for your reference:
º3º 160 km/h (99 mph) . . .
º2º 104 km/h (65 mph) . . .
ºLº 68 km/h (42 mph) . . . .
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for
a long time in the º3º, º2º or ºLº position. Thismay cause severe automatic transmission
damage from overheating. To prevent suchdamage, º4º position should be used in hillclimbing or hard towing.

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.