lexus LS400 1996 Audio System / 1996 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

STARTING AND DRIVING
135
Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a
long time in the ª2º or ªLº position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, ª3º position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up

ªRº (Reverse) positionBrake pedal
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªRº position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
(e) Parking

ªPº (Park) positionBrake pedal
Parking brake pedal
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the ªPº position.
CAUTION!
While the vehicle is moving, never attempt to move
the selector lever into ªPº under any circumstances.
Serious mechanical damage and loss of vehicle
control may result.

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136
(f) Good driving practice

If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, shift the selector lever to the ª3º position. Be
sure to shift the selector lever to the ªDº 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 ª3º 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 the transmission
to overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking
brake.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see ªIf you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector leverº on page 175.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km/h (25 mph) with your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight
speed change may occur when driving up or down a
gradient, within the limits of engine performance. On steeper
hills, a great speed change will occur so it is better to drive
without the cruise control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION!

To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle,
do not use the cruise control when driving in heavy
or varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow±covered) or winding roads.
Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving
downhill. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation
to the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.

STARTING AND DRIVING
137
Turning on the system
To operate the cruise control, push the main switch. This
turns the system on. The indicator light in the instrument
cluster shows that you can now set your desired cruising
speed. Another push on the switch will turn the system
completely off.
When the ignition key is turned off, the main switch is also
automatically turned off. To use the cruise control again,
push the main switch again to turn it on.
CAUTION!
To avoid accidental cruise control engagement,
keep the main switch off when not using the cruise
control.
Setting at a desired speed
The transmission must be in ªDº or ª3º before you set the
cruise control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control
lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction and release
it. This sets the vehicle at that speed. Now you may take your
foot off the accelerator pedal. If you need acceleration ± for
example, when passing ± depress the accelerator pedal
enough for the vehicle to exceed the set speed. When you
release the accelerator pedal, the vehicle will return to the
speed set prior to the acceleration.
Cancelling the preset speed
You can cancel the preset speed by either of the following:
a. Pulling the control lever in the ªCANCELº direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.

STARTING AND DRIVING
138If the vehicle speed falls below about 40 km/h (25 mph), the
preset speed will be automatically cancelled.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km/h (10 mph) below the preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically be cancelled.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than
these reasons, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer at the earliest opportunity.
Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº direction
and hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is
attained. While the lever is held upward, the vehicle will
gradually gain speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and
the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can
be increased 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the
control lever upward in the ªRES/ACCº direction quickly
within 0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle
and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired
speed is attained. While the lever is held downward, the
vehicle speed will gradually decrease.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and
the set speed is less than 5 km/h (3 mph), the set speed can
be lowered 1.6 km/h (1 mph) each time by pressing the
control lever downward in the ªSET/COASTº direction
quickly within 0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake
pedal and then press the control lever downward in the
ªSET/COASTº direction.
Even if you downshift the transmission from the ªDº position
to ª3º with the cruise control on, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. To
decrease the vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed with the
cruise control lever or depress the brake pedal. If you use the
brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
Resuming the preset speed
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling the control lever
or by depressing the brake pedal, pushing the lever up in the
ªRES/ACCº direction will restore the speed set prior to
cancellation. However, once the vehicle speed falls below
about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset speed will not be
resumed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
139
Cruise control failure warning
If the ªCRUISEº indicator light in the instrument cluster
flashes when using the cruise control, push the main switch
to turn the system off and then push it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then occurs, there is some
trouble in the cruise control system.
The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Lexus dealer and have your
Lexus inspected.
ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED
AIR SUSPENSION
(U.S.A. ONLY)
This electronically modulated air suspension adjusts
the damping effect on the shock absorbers and the
vehicle height. This adjustment is automatically made
in response to the driving conditions to provide good
riding comfort and stability in all driving conditions.
(a) Vehicle height adjustment
This system maintains a stable vehicle height,
regardless of occupants and luggage weight. You can
select one of the following modes using a selector
switch.

STARTING AND DRIVING
140ªNORMALº mode ± For driving on roads with a normal
surface.
ªHIGHº mode ± For driving on rough roads which are
unsurfaced or continually bumpy.
The damping effect is set slightly firmer in ªHIGHº mode. So
you may feel the vibration of the vehicle compared to in
ªNORMALº mode. However, this does not mean a
malfunction in the system. We recommend you use a
ªNORMALº mode in normal driving.
To change the mode, push the selector switch.
ªNORMALº mode
The vehicle height remains at normal height at all driving
speeds.
ªHIGHº mode
The vehicle height switches between the following two
vehicle heights according to the driving conditions:
Vehicle height
Driving condition
NormalMedium and high speed driving
HighLow speed driving
The indicator light shows ªHIGHº mode is selected.
When you turn the ignition key to the ªONº position, the
indicator light will come on for 2 seconds in any mode.
NOTICE
For vehicles equipped with the height control switch,
be sure to turn the ignition switch off before jacking.
If this is not done, the vehicle height adjustment
function will operate, which may cause body
damage.
(b) Malfunction warning
If the ªHIº indicator light blinks, there is a malfunction in this
system. Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer at
the first opportunity.

STARTING AND DRIVING
141
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control
the spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting
driver control and driving power of the rear wheels.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system
always turns on. Leave the system on during ordinary
driving so that it can operate when needed. When
traction control is applied, the slip indicator light
blinks.
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing
the ªTRAC±OFF±º switch. The ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light will then come on. Pushing the
ªTRAC±OFF±º switch a second time turns the system
back on and extinguishes the ªTRAC OFFº
indicator/warning light.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine
compartment when the engine is started. This means that
the traction control system is in the self±check mode, and
does not indicate malfunction. When the traction control
system is operating, you may feel vibration of your vehicle,
caused by operation of the brakes. This indicates the system
is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the
traction control system will operate to prevent the wheels
from spinning. Even though the accelerator pedal is fully
depressed, the engine speed will be restrained to a certain
level.

STARTING AND DRIVING
142
Traction control failure warning
If the ªTRAC OFFº indicator/warning light flashes, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble
in the traction control system.
CAUTION!
Under certain slippery road conditions, full stability
of the vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be
maintained, even though the traction control system
is in operation. In situations where the road surface
is covered with ice or snow, your vehicle should be
fitted with snow tires or tire chains and driven at a
more cautious pace.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The tandem master cylinder brake system is a hydraulic
system with two separate sub±systems. If either
sub±system should fail, the other will still work. However, the
pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will
be longer. Also, the brake system warning light may come
on.
CAUTION!
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake
system. Have your brakes fixed immediately.
Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine vacuum to power±assist the
brakes. If the engine should quit while you are driving, you
can bring the vehicle to a stop with normal pedal pressure.
There is enough reserve vacuum for one or two stops but no
more!
CAUTION!

Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your vacuum
reserve.
Even if the power assist is completely lost, the
brakes will still work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard ± much harder than normal. And your
braking distance will be longer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
143
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to prevent
lock±up of the wheels during sudden braking or
braking on slippery road surfaces. This assists the
driver in controlling the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately 5 km/h
(3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle
is started. This means that the anti±lock brake system is in
the self check mode, and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system function is in action, you
may feel the brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise. In this
situation, to let the anti±lock brake system work for you, just
hold the brake pedal down more firmly. Do not pump the
brake.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the anti±lock brake
system may indicate hazardous road surface conditions.
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in providing
vehicle control, it is still important to drive with all due care,
because the anti±lock brake system cannot overcome the
laws of physics that act on your vehicle:
Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the road
surface.
Even though the anti±lock brake system is operating, a
driver cannot maintain full control on certain slippery road
surfaces, when cornering at high speeds, or in violent
maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti±lock brake
system cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss
of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with an anti±lock
brake system, your vehicle may require a longer stopping
distance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has
other differences in surface height.

STARTING AND DRIVING
144ªABSº warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ªONº position. After about 3 seconds, the light will
go off.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.
The light does not come on as described above, or remains
on.
The light comes on while driving.
Even if the anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake
system will still operate conventionally. Have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake system.
This type of brake system needs bedding±down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes
and/or drums are replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.
Brake pad wear limit warning light
When your brake pads are worn enough to require
replacement, the brake pad wear limit warning light in
the instrument cluster comes on.
If the warning light comes on while driving, have the brake
pads checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the pads are
not replaced when needed.