2000 Lexus LS400 maintenance

FOREWORD
i
Welcome to the growing group of value±conscious people who drive Lexus\
vehicles. We are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction
of each vehicle we build.
This Owner's Manual explains the features of your new Lexus. Please read it
and follow the instructions carefully so that you can enjoy many years o\
f safe
motoring.
When it comes to service, remember that your Lexus dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. Your Lexus dealer will
provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Lexus dealer near you, or you need emergency assistanc\
e for
any reason, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS


When traveling in the U.S. mainland or Canada:
Lexus Roadside Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)

HAWAII:
Lexus Customer Service Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)
CANADIAN OWNERS

Please refer to the ºOwner's Guideº or ºOwner's Manual Supplementº.
Please leave this Owner's Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The
next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the tim\
e
of printing. However, because of the Lexus policy of continual product
improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without
notice.

INTRODUCTION
ii
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Lexus
limited warranties:

New vehicle warranty

Emission control systems warranty

Others
For further information, please refer to the ªOwner's
Guideº, ªOwner's Manual Supplementº or ªWarranty
Bookletº.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance is performed. Section 5 of this Owner's
Manual gives details of these maintenance
requirements. Included in Section 6 is general
maintenance. For scheduled maintenance information,
please refer to the ªOwner's Manual Supplement /
Maintenance Scheduleº.
Accessories, spare parts and
modification of your Lexus
A wide variety of non±genuine spare parts and
accessories for Lexus vehicles are currently available in
the market. You should know that Toyota does not
warrant these products and is not responsible for their
performance, repair, or replacement, or for any damage
they may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your Lexus vehicle.

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
v
SECTION 2 ± AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
The features of the vehicle's air conditioning and audio
are explained in detail. Be sure to read this section so
that you can make full use of them.
SECTION 3 ± STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the engine, driving, stopping, operation of
features affecting vehicle handling, hints on vehicle
safety and safe driving techniques are all explained.
Please read everything in this section, and remember ±
drive safely!
SECTION 4 ± IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
This section explains what to do in the event of an urgent
situation such as the engine not starting or getting a flat
tire, etc. If such a problem occurs, check the contents
of this Owner's Manual and follow the instructions given.
SECTION 5 ± MAINTENANCE
This section explains the importance of regular
maintenance. Regular and periodic inspection and
maintenance of your Lexus will help to keep your vehicle
in its best condition.
SECTION 6 ± SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are
provided here for your reference should you wish to
perform inspection and maintenance yourself.
INDEX
The page number is listed for each item in the Owner's
Manual so that you can rapidly find the item and page
you are searching for.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
The information you need to know for appropriate
servicing at the gas station is provided here.
QUICK INDEX
This is designed so that you can quickly find the needed
information when an urgent situation arises.
Safety symbol

AIR CONDITIONING
236
21L011a
2. Take out the air filter.
Inspect the lower surface of the filter. If it is just
moderately dusty, it may be cleaned by blowing
compressed air from the lower surface. Do not wash or
oil the filter.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced. To maintain the air
conditioning efficiency, replace the air filter according to
the maintenance schedule. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the
ªScheduled Maintenance Guideº or ªOwner's Manual
Supplementº.)
NOTICE
Do not drive with the air filter removed, or the efficiency of air conditioning may be lost.

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.

DRIVING TIPS
341
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect
to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations. See your local
recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the
correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer.
Check for correct operation of the turn signals and
stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule
 Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with
a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train
component (engine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of
driving.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more
frequent maintenance due to the additional load. For
this information, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement / Maintenance Scheduleº.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket
after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer
driving.
Pre±towing safety check
 Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded
or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the
vehicle has an abnormal nose±up or nose±down
condition, and check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that
it cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any
federal, state/provincial or local regulation. If they do
not, install required rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
346
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic si gnals
so you only need to stop as little as possible or take
advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights.
Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid
sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your
brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever
possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This
causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel
economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The
faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By
reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel
consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid
hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads.
Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear
but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in
turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud,
etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps
prevent corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A
dirty air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty
plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and contribute to poor
fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower
operating costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under severe
conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement / Maintenance Scheduleº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
355


5Discharged battery 6Booster battery
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle,
make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all
unnecessary lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster
battery. (This helps reduce the explosion hazard,
personal injuries and burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance
interval battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent
plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is
not running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes.
During jump starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm
with the accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate po
sitive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order
(
1 2 3 4) shown in the illustration.
1 Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
2 Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive
(red) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
3 Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the
negative (±) terminal of the booster battery.
4Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative
(black) cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted
metallic point (such as shown in the illustration)
away from the battery. Do not connect it to or near
any part that moves when the engine is cranked.