key lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) Workshop Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
157
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, head restraint height and
steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
Remember to check that the service reminder indicators function
when turning the key to ”ON”, and check the fuel gauge to see that
you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK
31L0011
”START” Starter motor on. The key will return to the ”ON”
position when released.
For starting tips, see page 159.
”ON” Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ”ON” position if the engine is not
running. The battery will discharge and the electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system could be damaged.
”ACC” Accessories such as the radio operate, but the engine
is off.
If you leave the key in the ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position and open the

STARTING AND DRIVING
158driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.*
NOTE: *The volume or interval of beep sound can be changed.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
31L0031
”LOCK” Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked. The
ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ”ACC” to the ”LOCK” position, you must put
the transmission selector lever in the ”P” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set. See ”Engine immobiliser system” on page 10.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the ”LOCK”
position. To free it, first be sure the key is pushed all the way in, and
then rock the steering wheel slightly while turning the key gently.
If, in an emergency, you must turn the engine off while the vehicle
is moving, turn the key only to ”ACC”.
PARKING BRAKE
31L005
1
To set: Fully depress the parking brake pedal.
2
To release: Pull the parking brake release lever.
Before leaving your vehicle, firmly apply the parking brake.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully released
and that the parking brake reminder light is off.

STARTING AND DRIVING
159
HOW TO START THE ENGINE
Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in ”P”. If you need to restart the engine
while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in ”N”. A starter
safety device will prevent the starter from operating if the selector
lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to the floor until you are ready
to drive off.
Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in
”Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system in your engine automatically controls the proper
airfuel mixture for starting. You can start a cold or hot engine as
follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, crank the engine by
turning the key to ”START”. Release it when the engine starts.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready to drive.If the weather is below freezing, let the engine warm up for a few
minutes before driving. Do not leave the vehicle while the engine
is warming up.
If the engine stalls ...
Simply restart it , using the correct procedure given in normal
starting.
If the engine will not start
See ”If your vehicle will not start” on page 193.
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 30 seconds at a time. This may
overheat the starter and wiring systems.
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently,
have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
160
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Your automatic transmission has a shift lock system to minimize
the possibility of incorrect operation. This means you can only
shift out of ”P” position when the brake pedal is depressed with
the ignition switch in ”ON” position. ()
31L078
The shift position is displayed on the instrument cluster.P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive possible)
4:Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift
from ”D” to ”4”, engine braking will not be applied because
the cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation to
decrease the vehicle speed, see page 170.
3, 2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking

STARTING AND DRIVING
161 Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in the
following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the ”3”, ”2” and ”L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) Rocking your vehicle if stuck
(h) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(i) If the ”ECT PWR” indicator light flashes
(a) Normal driving
31L0072
1
”P” (Park) position 2
”N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ”How to start the engine” on
page 159.
The transmission must be in ”P” or ”N”. The engine will not start
in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to ”START”.

STARTING AND DRIVING
169
Turning on the system
31L067
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
31L068
The transmission must be in ”D” or ”4” before you set the cruise
control speed.
Bring the vehicle to the desired speed, press the control lever
downward in the ”SET/COAST” 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 ”CANCEL” direction.
b. Depressing the brake pedal.

STARTING AND DRIVING
172”NORMAL” mode For driving on roads with a normal surface.
”HIGH” mode For driving on rough roads which are unsurfaced
or continually bumpy.
The damping effect is set slightly firmer in ”HIGH” mode. So you
may feel the vibration of the vehicle compared to in ”NORMAL”
mode. However, this does not mean a malfunction in the system. We
recommend you use a ”NORMAL” mode in normal driving.
To change the mode, push the selector switch.
”NORMAL” mode
The vehicle height remains at normal height at all driving speeds.
”HIGH” 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
31L016-2
The indicator light shows ”HIGH” mode is selected.
When you turn the ignition key to the ”ON” 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 ”HI” 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
178”ABS” warning light
31L019-2
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ”ON”
position. After about a few 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 antilock brake system should fail, the brake system will
still operate conventionally. But when the ”ABS” warning light is
on (and the brake system warning light is off), antilock brake
system is not assisting brake performance so that the wheels could
lock up during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road surfaces.
Have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Drumindisc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drumindisc type parking brake system. This
type of brake system needs beddingdown of the brake shoes
periodically or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are
replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the beddingdown.
Brake pad wear limit warning message
31L082
When your brake pads are worn enough to require replacement,
the brake pad wear warning message in the multi information
display appears.
If the warning message in the multi information display appears
while driving, have the brake pads checked and replaced by your
nearest Lexus dealer immediately.
Continuous driving without replacing the brake pads will cause
expensive rotor damage and increasing brake pedal effort to get the
same stopping distance.

SECTION 4
192
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving 193. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 193. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 209. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 210. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
193
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILE
DRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see ”If your vehicle will not start”.
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 YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT
START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in ”How to start the engine”
on page 159 and that you have sufficient fuel. Since your vehicle is
equipped with the engine immobiliser system, also check whether
the other keys will start the engine. If they work, your key may be
broken. Have the key checked at your Lexus dealer. If none of your
keys work, the system is possibly broken. Call your Lexus dealer.
See ”Keys” on page 8.If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too slowly
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the
battery is discharged. You may try jump starting. See ”(c) Jump
starting” for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or
Customer Service Assistance. (See ”Foreword”.)
NOTICE
Do not pull or pushstart the vehicle. It may damage the
vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts. Also the
threeway catalytic converter may overheat and become a fire
hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not start
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking. See
”(b) Starting a flooded engine” for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call
a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ”Foreword”.)