lexus LS400 1999 Comfort Adjustment / LEXUS 1999 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50514U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
315
Anti±lock brake system
The anti±lock brake system is designed to
automatically help prevent lock±up of the wheels
during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces. This assists in providing directional
stability and steering performance of 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.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: 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 in a
panic stop. Pumping the brake pedal makes the stopping
distance longer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
316The 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.

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317
ºABSº warning light
31L019-2

STARTING AND DRIVING
318This light comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ºONº 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 anti±lock brake system should fail, the brake
system will still operate conventionally. But when the
ºABSº warning light is on (and the brake system warning
light is off), anti±lock 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.
Drum±in±disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum±in±disc type parking brake
system. This type of brake system needs
bedding±down of the brake shoes periodically or
whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drums are
replaced.
Have your Lexus dealer perform the bedding±down.

STARTING AND DRIVING
319
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.TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally
equipped with.

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320
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited
to highway driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction
performance as snow tires, summer tires are
inadequate for driving on snow±covered or icy roads.
For driving on snow±covered or icy roads, we
recommend using snow tires. If installing snow tires, be
sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction
in snow and to be adequate for driving in most winter
conditions, as well as for use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose
snow. A lso, all season tires fall short in acceleration and
handling performance compared with summer tires in
highway driving.

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321
CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season tires on your
vehicle as this can cause dangerous handling
characteristics, resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's
designated tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the
sizes different from the originals.

SECTION 3 ± 2
322
STARTING AND DRIVING
Driving tips
Break±in period323
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Operation in foreign countries 323
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Tips for driving in various conditions 323
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Winter driving tips 324
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Trailer towing 326
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How to save fuel and make your vehicle
last longer 336
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DRIVING TIPS
323
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new
Lexus. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600
km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long
life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between
2000 and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid full±throttle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200
miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either
fast or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel
(unleaded and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will
allow you much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right
angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects
and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to
severe tire damage resulting in tire bursts.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they
touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply
the parking brake, and place the transmission in ºPº.
If necessary, block the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water
may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet,
check that there is no traffic near you and then press
the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking
force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake
pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still do
not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
 Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.

DRIVING TIPS
324
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. It can cause dangerous overheating,
needless wear, and poor fuel economy.
 To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your
speed and downshift. Remember, if you ride
the brakes excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly. See page 288.
 Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed, such as
sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
 Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even
if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive
over 140 km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle has
high±speed capability tires. Driving over 140
km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure, loss of
control and possible injury. Be sure to consult
a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high±speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
 Do not continue normal driving when the
brakes are w et. If they are wet, your vehicle will
require a longer stopping distance, and it may
pull to one side when the brakes are applied.
Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of
engine coolant.
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components. Use ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent. See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on
page 409 for instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water
alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60%
solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to
about ±50 C (±58 F). Do not use more than 70%
solution for better coolant performance.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so
it must be in top shape to provide enough power for
winter starting. Page 443 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service
stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the
cold weather.