parking brake lexus LS400 1994 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminder Indicators / 1994 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

SECTION 3 – 1
11 7
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three-way catalytic converter11 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution
11 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission123 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lexus ride control system131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height control system132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires137 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
121 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 in motion, turn the key only to “ACC”.
PARKING BRAKE
Release
Set
To set: Fully depress the parking brake pedal.
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.
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 air-fuel 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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
With the brake pedal depressed, shift
while pressing the lock release button in
(The ignition switch must be in the “ON” position.)
Shift while pressing the lock
release button in
Shift without pressing
the button
Lock release button
To prevent misshifting
Parking, engine starting
and key removal position
Reverse position
Neutral position
Normal driving position
Position for engine braking
Position for stronger engine braking
than that in “2” position
Overdrive switch
For selecting either a three-speed
or four-speed transmission
ON position
(Shifting into overdrive possible)
OFF position
(Shifting into overdrive not possible)
Shift position indicator
Shows the selector lever position
Shift position is also displayed
on the instrument cluster
Driving pattern selector switch
For selecting a driving pattern suitable
to existing driving conditions
NORMAL position
for general driving
conditions
POWER position
for powerful acceleration
123
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STARTING AND DRIVING
124Your 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 and the
lock release button pressed in).
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in the
following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the “2” and “L” positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position
(h) If the “O / D OFF” indicator light flashes
(a) Normal driving
“P” (Park)
position
“N” (Neutral)
position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 121.
The transmission must be in “P” or “N”. The engine will not start
in “R”, “2”, “L” or “D” position even if the key is turned to
“START”.
Driving pattern
selector switchIndicator light
Power position
Normal position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the NORMAL
position.
Your transmission has a driving pattern selector switch which
allows you to select either “NORM” or “PWR” to suit your
driving condition. For ordinary driving, Lexus recommends that
you use the NORMAL position to improve fuel economy.
3. For more powerful acceleration and sporty driving, use
the POWER position.
In the POWER position, the “ECT PWR” light in the instrument
cluster is on and the transmission is shifted up at higher vehicle
speeds and shifted down more responsively than in the
NORMAL position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
125
Overdrive switch
Indicator light
On
Off
4. Set the overdrive switch to the ON position.
Always set the overdrive switch to the ON position to improve
fuel economy and quiet driving. (See “(b) Using engine
braking” and “(f) Good driving practice” for exceptions.)
Brake pedal
“D” (Drive)
position
5. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift the
selector lever to “D”.
CAUTION:
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.
6. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress the
accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
The vehicle will start in the first gear and automatically shift to
the most suitable gear for the running conditions, such as the
vehicle speed, hill climbing, hard towing, etc. However, while
the engine coolant temperature is low and the vehicle is
traveling at low speed, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even with the overdrive switch on.
In “D” position, the automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for the running conditions such as hill
climbing, hard towing, etc.

STARTING AND DRIVING
127
NOTICE:

Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference:
“2” ... 121 km / h (75 mph)
“L” ... 67 km / h (42 mph)

Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “2” or “L” position. This may cause severe
automatic transmission damage from overheating. To
prevent such damage, “D” position should be used in
hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
Brake pedal
“R” (Reverse)
position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE:
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is in motion.
(e) Parking
Parking brake pedal
Brake pedal“P” (Park)
position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the parking brake pedal fully.
3. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “P” position.
CAUTION:
While the vehicle is in motion, never attempt to move the
selector lever into “P” under any circumstances. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.

STARTING AND DRIVING
128
(f) Good driving practice

If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, it is suggested that the overdrive switch be
turned off. Be sure to turn the switch on immediately
afterward.

When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION:
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE:
Do not hold the vehicle on an upgrade with the
accelerator pedal. This can cause the transmission to
overheat. Always use the brake pedal or parking brake.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever out
of “P” position
If you cannot shift the selector lever from “P” position even
though the brake pedal is depressed, use the shift lock
override button. For instructions, see “If you cannot shift
automatic transmission selector lever” on page 163.
(h) If the “O / D OFF” indicator light flashes
If the “O / D OFF” indicator light flashes, contact your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble in the
transmission system.
CRUISE CONTROL
The cruise control allows you to cruise the vehicle at a
desired speed over 40 km / h (25 mph) with your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Your cruising speed can be maintained although a slight speed
change may occur when driving up or down a gradient, within
the limits of engine performance. On steeper hills, a greater
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruise control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.
CAUTION:

To help maintain maximum control of your vehicle, do
not use the cruise control when driving in heavy or
varying traffic, or on slippery (rainy, icy or
snow-covered) or winding roads.

Avoid vehicle speed increases when driving downhill.
Use engine braking by downshifting the transmission.

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.