lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50498U)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
206From rear
40L0221
Place the ignition key in the ”ACC” position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the ”LOCK” position,
as the steering lock mechanism is not strong enough to hold
the front wheels straight.
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate ground
clearance for towing at the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Otherwise, the bumper and/or underbody of the towed vehicle
will be damaged during towing.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
40L016
Tie down points
40L017-2

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
207
40L0182
If your Lexus is transported by a flat bed, it should be tied down
at locations A and B as shown above.
40L0191
Rear emergency towing eyelets
NOTICE
Do not use the rear emergency towing eyelets.
For vehicles sold in U.S.A., before your vehicle is transported
by flat bed, the height control switch, if so equipped, must be
in the ”HIGH” mode.
Tie down angle
40L0201
If you use chains or wires to tie down your vehicle, the angles
shaded black must be at 45.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
208
(c) Towing with a sling type truck
40L0231
NOTICE
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front or rear.
This may cause body damage.
(d) Emergency towing
40L0311
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your vehicle
may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain secured to the
emergency towing eyelet. Use extreme caution when towing the
vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hardsurfaced roads for
a short distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels, axles, drive
train, steering and brakes must all be in good condition.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
209
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid sudden
starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would place
excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet and towing
cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable or chain may
break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use in towing
vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain to the towing eyelet
provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the transmission in
”N”. The ignition key must be in ”ACC” (engine off) or ”ON”
(engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not work so steering and braking will be much
harder than usual.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SELECTOR LEVER
40L025-3
If you cannot shift the selector lever, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1
Turn the ignition key to ”LOCK” or ”ACC”. Make sure the
parking brake is applied. Pry up the cover with a flatbladed
screwdriver or equivalent.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
210
40L026-3
2
Insert your finger, the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole
to push down the shift lock override button. You can shift the
selector lever while pushing the button.
For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
IF YOU LOSE YOUR KEYS OR
LOCK YOURSELF OUT
Many Lexus dealers can make a new key if you can give them the
key number. Since your vehicle is equipped with the engine
immobiliser system, the dealer will also need your master key.
See the suggestion given in ”Keys” on page 8.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a duplicate,
many Lexus dealers can still open the door for you, using their
special tools. If you must break a window to get in, we suggest
breaking the smallest side window because it is the least expensive
to replace. Be extremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.
Even if you lose only one key, contact your Lexus dealer to make a
new key. If you lose all your master keys, you cannot make new
keys; the whole system must be replaced.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
211

SECTION 5
212
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance requirements 213. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 214. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 217. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
separate ”Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Maintenance
Schedule”.

MAINTENANCE
213
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Your Lexus vehicle has been designed to have fewer maintenance
requirements with longer service intervals to save both your time and
money. However, each regular maintenance as well as daytoday
care is more important than ever before to ensure smooth,
troublefree, safe, and economical driving.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance, including general maintenance services, is performed.
Note that both the new vehicle and emission control system
warranties specify that proper maintenance and care must be
performed. See the Owner’s Guide, Owner’s Manual Supplement
or Warranty Booklet for complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those daytoday care practices that
are important to your vehicle for proper operation. It is the owner’s
responsibility to ensure that the general maintenance items are
performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself or your
Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the ”Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Schedule” are those required to be
serviced at regular intervals.For details of your maintenance schedule, read the separate
”Owner ’s Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.
It is recommended that any replacement parts used for
maintenance or for the repair of the emission control system be
Lexus supplied.
The owner may elect to use nonLexus supplied parts for
replacement purposes without invalidating the emission control
system warranty. However, use of replacement parts which are
not of equivalent quality may impair the effectiveness of the
emission control systems.
You may also elect to have maintenance, replacement, or repair
of the emission control devices and system performed by any
automotive repair establishment or individual without
invalidating this warranty. See Owner’s Guide, Owner’s
Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for complete
warranty information.
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are welltrained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information through technical bulletins,
service tips, and indealership training programs. They are well
informed about the operation of all the systems on your vehicle.
You can be confident that your Lexus dealer’s service department
performs the best job to meet the maintenance requirements of your
vehicle reliably and economically.

MAINTENANCE
214Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required maintenance
has been performed for warranty coverage. And if any problems
should arise with your vehicle while under warranty, your Lexus
dealer will promptly take care of it. Again, be sure to keep a copy
of the repair order for any service performed on your Lexus.
What about doityourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself, if you have
a little mechanical ability and a few basic automotive tools. Simple
instructions for how to perform them are presented in Section 6.
If you are a skilled doityourself mechanic, the Lexus service
manuals are recommended. Please be aware that doityourself
maintenance can affect your warranty coverage. See your Owner’s
Guide, Owner’s Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for the
details.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified. It is recommended that any
problem you notice be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer
or qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can be
obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at least once
a month and adjust as shown on the tire pressure label. See page 241
for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear. See
page 243 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for looseness.
Tighten them if necessary.

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.