Headlight lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) User Guide

SWITCHES
24
HEADLIGHT DIMMER AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH
12L003
For high beam, push the lever forward. Pull it back for low
beam. For the headlight flasher, pull it further back.
A blue light in the instrument cluster indicates high beam or
headlight flasher is on.
The headlight flasher works even when the headlight switch is off.
12L004
For signaling turns, move the lever up or down in the
conventional manner.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
The turn signal is selfcancelling after a turn, but after a lane change,
you may have to cancel it by hand. You can also signal a lane change
by moving the turn signal lever partway and holding it there.
If the green light in the instrument cluster flashes faster than normal,
it indicates that the front or rear turn signal bulb has burned out. If
this indicator light does not come on, the fuse or the indicator light
itself has probably failed.

SWITCHES
25
FOG LIGHT SWITCH
12L005
To turn on the fog lights, turn the switch to the ”ON” position.
The fog lights come on only when the headlights are on low beam.
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCH
12L0061
1
Interval adjuster 2
Washer on
To turn the wipers on, move the lever down until you reach the
desired speed setting.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
There are 3 settings:
”INT” position: Intermittent operation
”LO” position: Low speed operation
”HI” position: High speed operation
Twist the interval adjuster upward to increase the wiping time
interval between sweeps, and downward to decrease it.
The wiper lever must be in the ”INT” position.

SWITCHES
27
HEADLIGHT CLEANER SWITCH
(CANADA ONLY)
12L0072
To spray fluid on the headlights, push the switch with the
headlights on.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
The warning message ”LOW WASHER FLUID” is displayed in the
multi information display when the fluid level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. For information on adding washer fluid, see ”Adding
washer fluid” on page 261.
NOTICE
Do not turn the headlight cleaner on with the tank empty. It may
cause the cleaner motor to overheat.
REAR WINDOW AND OUTSIDE
REAR VIEW MIRROR DEFOGGER
SWITCH
12L008-4
To turn the electric rear window defogger on, push the switch.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
The thin heater wires on the inside of the rear window and the heater
panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the surface.
Keep your hands off the mirror faces when the switch is on. An
indicator light is on when the defogger is operating.
The system will automatically shut off when the defogger has
operated about 15 minutes.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
45 If you continue driving with any door or trunk open, the reminder
light starts flashing and the warning tone sounds to remind you to
close the door or trunk.
W52 W52
If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition switch turned off
and the moon roof opened, the above message appears and the
reminder light flashes.
W48 W48
In the following cases, the warning message appears and the
reminder light next to the warning message and the ”VSC OFF”
indicator light come on. And the warning tone also sounds.
(a) After the removal of the battery terminals (See ”Initial
adjustment of vehicle skid control system” on page 175.)
(b) If the vehicle skid control system malfunctions
If the above message appears for the cause of (b), have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Although the above message appears, you can continue your normal
driving, but without the vehicle skid control system function.
W49 W49
In the following cases, the above message appears, the reminder
light comes on and the warning tone sounds.
When the headlight switch is turned to the first or second
clickstop with one or more of tail light bulbs burned out.
When the brake pedal is held down with one or more of stop light
bulbs burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
W50 W50
When the engine oil level is too low, the above message appears,
the reminder light comes on and the warning tone sounds.
Add oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ”Checking the
engine oil level” on page 230.)
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the
engine.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
46
W51 W51
When the fluid level in the tank becomes nearly empty, the above
message appears, the reminder light comes on and the warning
tone sounds.
Fill the tank as soon as possible.
W53 W53
When there is a problem somewhere in the automatic headlight
leveling system, the above message appears, the reminder light
comes on and the warning tone sounds.
If this message appears, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer.
INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT
CONTROL
13L005
To adjust the brightness of the instrument panel lights, turn the
knob.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
77
Auto tilt away*
16L012-2
When the ignition key is removed, the steering column moves
forward away from the driver and also tilts up for easy exit and
entry.
When the key is inserted in the ignition switch, the steering column
returns to the previously set position.
NOTE: *This feature can be set inoperative. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16L016
Adjust the mirror so you can just see the side of your vehicle in
the mirror.
When the inside rear view mirror darkens in ”AUTO” mode, the
outside rear view mirrors also darken to reduce the reflection of the
headlights of the following vehicle. For details, see ”Inside rear view
mirror” on page 79.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving. It may
cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident may
occur, resulting in personal injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
79
Folding rear view mirrors
16L018
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
restricted areas.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be extended
and properly adjusted before driving.
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
16L019-1
Pushing the switch changes the mode between ”AUTO” and
”DAY”.
The indicator comes on when the ”AUTO” mode is selected.
”DAY” mode: The mirror surface is normal.
”AUTO” mode: If the mirror detects light from the headlights
of the vehicle behind you, the mirror surface darkens slightly to
reduce the reflected light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the outside rear
view mirror surfaces will also become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the inside rear view
mirror always turns on in the ”AUTO” mode.
Adjust it before driving so that the rear view is the best.
When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a little longer
for the mirror to darken in response to the detection of headlights.

THEFT DETERRENT
117
THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
To deter theft of the vehicle, this system is designed to give an
alarm if any of the doors, trunk or hood is forcibly unlocked or
the battery terminal is disconnected and then reconnected while
the vehicle is locked.*
NOTE: *The system operating condition can be changed. Ask
your Lexus dealer for details.
The alarm blows the horn intermittently and flashes the headlights,
tail lights and other exterior lights.
17L001
Setting the system
1. Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK” position and remove it.
2. Close and lock all the doors, trunk and hood using an ignition
key or wireless remote control.If you lock them with wireless remote control, the turn signals flash
once.* If you do not want to make them flash, consult with your
Lexus dealer.
NOTE: *The turn signals can be set not to flash. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
The indicator light will come on when all the doors, trunk and hood
are closed and locked.
3. After 30 seconds, the indicator flashes and the system is set.
Cancelling the system
When you unlock any door or trunk using an ignition key or
wireless remote control, the system is cancelled.
If you unlock any door or trunk with wireless remote control, the turn
signals flash twice.* If you do not want to make them flash, consult
with your Lexus dealer.
NOTE: *The turn signals can be set not to flash. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
Activating the system
The alarm sounds for 60 seconds if any of the following are operated:
Unlocking any door or trunk without using an ignition key or
wireless remote control.
Opening the hood forcibly.
Reconnecting the battery.

MAINTENANCE
215 Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 242 for
additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes or notice
any leak, have the cause found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood secondary latch
secures the hood when the primary latch is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights,
and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
function properly.Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes in
steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive freeplay or
strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters, seatback
recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the head restraints move
up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely in any latched
position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors and
anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the belt webbing
is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal effort or
catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper clearance and
freeplay. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side when
applied.

CHASSIS
247
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or heavy
corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, a tire may slip off a wheel or
they may cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they may
have been subjected to rough treatment or high mileage and could
fail without warning. Also, bent wheels which have been
straightened may have hidden structural damage and therefore
should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which
is designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they
are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim
width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect handling,
wheel and bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, stopping ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or snow chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
ALUMINUM WHEEL
PRECAUTIONS
After driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check
that the wheel nuts are tight.
If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the aluminum
wheels.
Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed for your
aluminum wheels.
When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus balance weights or
equivalent and a plastic or rubber hammer.
As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum wheels for
damage. If damaged, replace immediately.
SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis with lift kits, spacers,
springs, etc. It can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.