stop start lexus LS400 1996 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminders / 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.

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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.

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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.