lexus LS400 1996 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminders / 1996 LS400: AUTOMATIC A/C CONTROLS

93
SECTION 2
AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
Automatic air conditioning controls 94
Audio system 104

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
94
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains
the set temperature.
This air conditioning features automatic fan speed and
air flow control which automatically selects the most
suitable fan speed and air flow to control the
temperature. The ignition key must be in the ªONº
position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not
leave the air conditioning on longer than necessary
when the engine is not running.

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AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
95
Driver side temperature control button
Front windshield button
Driver side temperature display (in degrees
Fahrenheit or Centigrade)
Fan speed display
Air intake control button
Air flow display
Air conditioning on±off button
Passenger side temperature control button
Passenger side temperature display (in degrees
Fahrenheit or Centigrade)
Separate/dual control button
Air flow control button
Fan speed control button
Automatic control button
OFF button

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
96
Air flow selection

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
97
(a) Climate control
SETTING OPERATION ± automatic control
1. Push the ªAUTOº button.
Air flow quantity, switching of the diffusers, on±off of the air
conditioning, and switching of the air intake between
RECIRCULATED AIR and OUTSIDE AIR are automatically
adjusted. The operation status is shown by each indicator.
When one of the manual control buttons is depressed while
operating in automatic mode, the operation corresponding to
the button depressed is set. Other conditions continue to be
adjusted automatically.
Push the ªOFFº button to turn the air conditioning off.
2. Use the ªTEMPº or ªPASSENGER TEMPº button to
set the desired temperature.
The ªTEMPº or ªPASSENGER TEMPº button is used to set
the desired temperature. The temperature will be controlled
on the driver and passenger sides simultaneously or
individually.
ªTEMPº button ± Changes the temperature on the driver
and passenger sides simultaneously or the driver side only.
ªPASSENGER TEMPº button ± Changes the temperature
on the passenger side only.
ªDUALº button ± Changes the mode of the temperature
setting.
The indicator on the ªDUALº button has two modes:
With the indicator on ± For individual temperature setting
With the indicator off ± For simultaneous temperature
setting

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
98
Driver side setting
Passenger side setting
Mixed setting
SETTING OPERATION ± manual control
If manual air flow selection is desired ±
The outlets from which air is delivered can be selected
manually by pushing the appropriate air flow control button.
The function of each button is as follows:

Panel ± Air flows mainly from the instrument panel
vents.
Bi±level ± Air flows from both the floor vents and the
instrument panel vents.
Floor ± Air flows mainly from the floor vents.
Floor/Windshield ± Air flows mainly from the floor
vents and windshield vents.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
99 If quick heating or cooling is desired ±
Push the ªTEMPº or ªPASSENGER TEMPº button on either
side and hold it until ªMAX. HOTº or ªMAX. COLDº appears
on the display.
If manual fan speed control is desired ±

Fan speed at lowFan speed at high
The fan speed can be set to your desired speed by pushing
the appropriate side of fan speed control button. The higher
the fan speed is, the more air is delivered. Pushing the ªOFFº
button turns off the fan.
To remove exterior windshield frost, use the high speed
setting.If manual switching of air intake is desired ±
The air intake control button is used to switch the air intake
between the OUTSIDE AIR mode and RECIRCULATED
AIR mode.
With the button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode, the OUTSIDE
AIR mode indicator light will come on and the system will
take fresh outside air into the vehicle.
If quick circulation of cooled air is desired, push the air intake
control button for RECIRCULATED AIR. The
RECIRCULATED AIR mode indicator light will come on.
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.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
100If manual on±off of the air conditioning is desired ±
Push the ªA/Cº button to turn the air conditioning on and push
it again to turn the air conditioning off.
The air conditioning does not work if the outside temperature
is lowered down to around 0C (32F).
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 ªA/Cº button will blink. If the indicator of the
ªA/Cº button blinks even when the ªA/Cº button is pushed
again, have the compressor checked by your nearest Lexus
dealer.
(b) Windshield defogging and defrosting
To remove interior fog on the windshield ±
Push the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the windshield ±
1. Place the temperature control button at the maximum
temperature.
2. Push the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button.
3. Push the fan speed control button on the right side to
obtain a maximum air flow.
4. Leave the air conditioning on±off button off.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
101 When the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button is pushed while
operating in automatic mode, the air conditioning is set to
operate and the OUTSIDE AIR mode is set.
If you push the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button once again
while in the FRONT WINDSHIELD mode, the mode then
returns to the last mode used.
CAUTION!
Do not use the ªFRONT WINDSHIELDº button during
cooled air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air
and that of the windshield could cause the outer
surface of the windshield to fog up blocking your
vision.
(c) Air filter
The air filter may clog after long use and reduce air flow. You
can inspect the filter easily.
When you inspect and replace the air filter, be sure to turn
off the fan.
1. Open the glovebox and remove the two covers.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
102
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 separate ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)
NOTICE
Do not drive with the air filter removed, or the
efficiency of air conditioning may be lost.
(d) Operating tips

Make sure the air inlet grilles in front of the windshield are
not blocked by leaves or other obstructions.
If air flow control is not satisfactory, check the dashboard
vents. (See ªCenter ventsº, ªSide ventsº, ªLower ventº and
ªRear ventsº.)
To help cool down the interior after parking in the hot sun,
drive for the first few minutes with the windows open. After
the excess heat has blown away, close the windows.
When driving on dusty roads, close all windows. If dust
thrown up by the vehicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recommended that the air intake
control button be left to the OUTSIDE AIR mode and the
fan speed control button be pressed to anywhere except
the ªOFFº button.
If following another vehicle on a dusty road, or driving in
windy and dusty conditions, it is recommended that the air
intake control button be temporarily pressed in to the
RECIRCULATED AIR mode, which will close off the
outside passage and prevent outside air and dust from
entering the vehicle interior.