fuel consumption lexus LS400 1999 Comfort Adjustment / LEXUS 1999 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50514U)

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
71
(a) Cruise information
13L049±1
The following information is shown with the ignition
switch turned on. Each time you push the ºMODEº
button, the displayed information is changed.
Available driving distance
 Average fuel consumption
 Current fuel consumption
 Average fuel consumption after being refueled
 Driving distance after being refueled
 Elapsed time
 Average vehicle speed
The displayed values of cruise information indicate the
general driving condition, so those may not show
precise and actual condition. Available driving distance

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
72
W24

When the fuel gauge indicates around ºFº
W25W25

When the fuel gauge indicates around middle
W26

When the fuel gauge indicates around ºEº
Available driving distance with the remaining fuel is
calculated and displayed depending on the amount
of remaining fuel.
Average fuel consumption
W27W27
The average fuel consumption is calculated and
displayed based on the total driving distance and
the total fuel consumption with the engine running.
The value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ºRESETº
button.Current fuel consumption
W28W28

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
73
The current fuel consumption is calculated and
displayed
based on the driving distance and the fuel
consumption for 2 seconds with the engine running.
The value is updated every 2 seconds.
If you are driving at low speeds just before stopping, the
accurate figure may not be shown.
 Average fuel consumption after being
refueled
W29W29
The average fuel consumption after being refueled
is calculated and displayed based on the total
driving distance and the total fuel consumption after
being refueled.
The value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ºRESETº
button.
 Driving distance after being refueled
W30W30
The driving distance after being refueled is
displayed.Elapsed time
W31W31

DRIVING TIPS
326Depending on where you are driving, we
recommend
you carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire
chains, w indow scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small
shovel, jumper cables, etc.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger±carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have
an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking,
durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.).
Your safety and satisfaction depend on the proper use
of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For
your safety and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do not
apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a
trailer for commercial purposes. Ask your local Lexus
dealer for further details before towing.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus dealer for further information on additional
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
336
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND
MAKE YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel
is easy ± just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle
last longer, too. Here are some specific tips on how to
save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure.
Check the pressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month. Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes
fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle.
Excess weight puts a heavier load on the engine,
causing greater fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently.
Remember, however, that on cold winter days this
may take a little longer.
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit
starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait
and you are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the
engine and start again later.
 Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position
suitable for the road on which you are traveling. 
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing
down. Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.

DRIVING TIPS
337

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 needless 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

SECTION 6 ± 2
395
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications396
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 400
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 402
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 404
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 405
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 409
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 413
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
402
Gasolines quality
In a very few cases, you may experience driveability
problems caused by the particular gasoline that you are
using. If you continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If that does not rectify
your problem, then consult your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system damage or vehicleperformance problems.
If drivability problems are encountered (poorhot starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.),discontinue its use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
85 L (22.5 gal., 18.7 lmp.gal.)
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and
cooling the inside of the engine, and plays a major role
in maintaining the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some
engine oil during normal engine operation. The
causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and
cylinders. A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall
when a piston moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when the vehicle
is decelerating sucks some of this oil into the
combustion chamber. This oil as well as some part of
the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by the
high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake
valves. Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion
chamber together with the intake air and is burned
along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases
also burn the oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.

ENGINE
403
The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way
the vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed by high±speed driving and
frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons,
piston rings and cylinder walls have not become
conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep
in mind that the oil may have become diluted,
making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips
and consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may
not show any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000
km (600 miles) or more. This is because the oil is
gradually
becoming diluted with fuel or moisture, making
it appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle
is then driven at high speeds, as on an expressway,
making it appear that oil is excessively consumed after
driving at high speeds.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum
level so that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore,
it is essential that the oil level be checked regularly.
Lexus recommends that the oil level be checked every
time you refuel the vehicle.