check lexus LS400 1994 Engine / 1994 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

STARTING AND DRIVING
11 9

Keep your engine in good running order.
Malfunctions in the engine electrical system,
electronic ignition system / distributor ignition
system or fuel system could cause an extremely high
three-way catalytic converter temperature.

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, take your vehicle in for a check-up as soon
as possible. Remember, your Lexus dealer knows
your vehicle and its three-way catalytic converter
system best.

To ensure that the three-way catalytic converter and
the entire emission control system operate properly,
your vehicle must receive the periodic inspections
required by the Lexus Maintenance Schedule.
ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION:

Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas. It can
cause unconsciousness or even death.

Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from time
to time. If you hit something, or notice a change in the
sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or out.
The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this a
particularly dangerous situation.

Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do so
only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating or
cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.

Keep the trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle. If you must drive with the trunk
lid open to accommodate a large object, close the
windows, open all the dashboard vents and have the
heating or cooling system deliver fresh air into the
vehicle by turning the fan to high speed with the air
intake control button in the OUTSIDE AIR mode.

To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s ventilation
system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the windshield
clear of snow, leaves, or other obstructions.

If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with the
windows open and the trunk lid closed. Have the cause
immediately located and corrected.

STARTING AND DRIVING
120
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle, headrest 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
“START” − Starter motor on. The key will return to the
“ON” position when released.For starting tips, see page 121.
“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 driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.
“LOCK” − Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
122If 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 150.
NOTICE:

Do not crank for more than 15 seconds at a time.

Do not race a cold engine.

If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls
frequently, have the engine checked immediately.

STARTING AND DRIVING
130If the vehicle speed falls below 40 km / h (25 mph), the preset
speed will automatically cancel out.
If the vehicle speed drops 16 km / h (10 mph) below the preset
speed, the preset speed will also automatically cancel out.
If the preset speed automatically cancels out for other than
these reasons, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus
dealer at the earliest opportunity.
Resetting to a faster speed
Press the control lever upward in the “RES / ACC” direction and
hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed is attained.
While the lever is held upward, the vehicle will gradually gain
speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km / h (3 mph), the set speed can be
increased 1.6 km / h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever upward in the “RES / ACC” direction quickly within 0.6
seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to accelerate the vehicle
and then press the control lever downward in the
“SET / COAST” direction.
Resetting to a slower speed
Press the control lever downward in the “SET / COAST”
direction and hold it. Release the lever when the desired speed
is attained. While the lever is held downward, the vehicle
speed will gradually decrease.When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the
set speed is less than 5 km / h (3 mph), the set speed can be
lowered 1.6 km / h (1 mph) each time by pressing the control
lever downward in the “SET / COAST” direction quickly within
0.6 seconds.
However, a quicker way to reset is to depress the brake pedal
and then press the control lever downward in the
“SET / COAST” direction.
Resuming the preset speed
Press the control lever upward in the “RES / ACC” direction.
The vehicle will resume the speed set prior to cancellation
unless it is caused by the vehicle slowing down to less than 40
km / h (25 mph) or to a speed 16 km / h (10 mph) below the
preset speed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
five times and then goes out when using the cruise control, it
means that there is trouble in the cruise control system.
Contact your Lexus dealer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
134If the “HI” display is blinking and you suspect a malfunction,
first check that the height control ON / OFF switch is actually
turned on.
If you then confirm that the switch is blinking in the malfunction
mode, have the system checked by your Lexus dealer at the
first opportunity.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically controls
spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, thus maintaining
vehicle stability and driving power to the rear wheels.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always
turns on. Leave the system on during ordinary driving so
that it can operate when needed. When traction control is
applied, the “TRAC” indicator / warning light blinks.
Vehicles without headlight cleaner
Vehicles with headlight cleaner
You can turn off the traction control system by pushing
the “TRAC-OFF-” switch. The “TRAC OFF”
indicator / warning light will then come on. Pushing the
“TRAC-OFF-” switch a second time turns the system back
on and extinguishes the “TRAC OFF” indicator / warning
light.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine compartment
when the engine is started. This means that the traction control
system is in the self-check mode, and does not indicate
malfunction. When the traction control system is operating,
you may feel vibration of your vehicle, caused by operation of
the brakes. This indicates the system is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the
traction control system will operate to prevent the wheels from
spinning. Even though the accelerator pedal is fully depressed,
the engine speed will be restrained to a certain level.

STARTING AND DRIVING
135 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 rely on 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.
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 surfaces. This helps the vehicle remain steerable
and stable under these circumstances.
The system functions with normal pedal operation. When the
anti-lock function is in action, pulsation of the brake pedal may
occur, together with a characteristic noise. This indicates that
the system is functioning properly.
The anti-lock brake system comes into operation when the
vehicle is accelerating and the vehicle speed reaches
approximately 10 km / h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle is decelerating and the vehicle speed falls below
approximately 5 km / h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few
seconds just after the vehicle is started. This means that the
anti-lock brake system is in the self-check mode, and does not
indicate malfunction.
Even though the anti-lock brake system is operating, full
stability of the vehicle cannot be maintained for certain slippery
road conditions or high speed driving when cornering. Even
with the anti-lock brake system installed, it is still important, to
drive with all due care.

STARTING AND DRIVING
136Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with an anti-lock brake
system, your vehicle requires a longer stopping distance in the
following cases:

Driving on rough, gravel or snow-coverd roads.

Driving with tire chains installed.

Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has
other differences in surface height.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The anti-lock brake system
cannot eliminate the risk of aquaplaning.
Anti-lock brake system warning light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position. After 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. 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
137
Brake pad wear limit warning light
When your brake pads are worn enough to require
replacement, the brake pad wear limit warning light in the
instrument cluster comes on.
If the warning light comes on while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when needed.
TYPES OF TIRES
Make sure what kind of tires your vehicle is originally equipped
with.
1. Summer Tires
Summer tires are high-speed capability tires best suited to
highway driving under dry conditions.
Summer tires are, however, 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, fall short in acceleration and
handling performance compared with Summer tires in highway
driving. Snow tires have better snow traction than All Season
tires.
CAUTION:
Do not mix Summer and All Season tires on your vehicle
as this can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.