light lexus LS400 1995 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminder Indicators / 1995 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

STARTING AND DRIVING
129 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 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.
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
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
130
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.
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 160.
NOTICE

Do not crank for more than 15 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
131
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. ()
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)
3:Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive not
possible)
2:Position for engine braking
L:Position for stronger engine braking than that in “2” position
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained in
the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Backing up
(d) Parking
(e) Good driving practice
(f) If you cannot shift the selector lever
(g) If the “ECT PWR” indicator light flashes

STARTING AND DRIVING
132
(a) Normal driving
 1
“P” (Park) position 2
“N” (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in “How to start the
engine” on page 130.
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”.
 1
Driving pattern selector switch
2
Normal position 3
Power position
2. Set the driving pattern selector switch to the NOMAL
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
136
(e) Good driving practice

If the transmission repeatedly upshifts and downshifts
between the third and overdrive gears when climbing a
gentle slope, shift the selector lever to the “3” position. Be
sure to shift the selector lever to the “D” position after
climbing the slope.

When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive. The selector lever must be in the “3” position.
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.
(f) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector ever 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 175.
(g) If the “ECT PWR” indicator light flashes
If the “ECI PWR” 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 great
speed change will occur so it is better to drive without the cruise
control.
When the cruse control is on, the driving pattern of the
automatic transmission is fixed in the normal position,
regardless of the position of the selector switch.

STARTING AND DRIVING
137
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. If the vehicle speed is too fast in relation to
the cruise control set speed, cancel the cruise
control then downshift the transmission to use
engine braking to slow down.
Turning on the system
CRUISE
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
139 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 the vehicle speed is less than 40 km / h (25 mph) or is
16 km / h (10 mph) below the preset speed.
Cruise control failure warning
If the “CRUISE” indicator light in the instrument cluster flashes
when using the cruise control, push the main switch to turn the
system off and then push it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then occurs, there is some
trouble in the cruise control system.

The indicator light does not come on.

The indicator light flashes again.

The indicator light goes out after it comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Lexus dealer and have your
Lexus inspected.
ELECTRONICALLY MODULATED
AIR SUSPENSION
(U.S.A. ONLY)
This electronically modulated air suspension adjusts the
damping effect on the shock absorbers and the vehicle
height. This adjustment is automatically made in
response to the driving conditions to provide good riding
comfort and stability in all driving conditions.
(a) Vehicle height adjustment
This system maintains a stable vehicle height, regardless
of occupants and luggage weight. You can select one of
the following modes using a selector switch.

STARTING AND DRIVING
140“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
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
141
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically controls
spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when
accelerating on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting
driver control 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 slip indicator light blinks.
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
142
Traction control failure warning
If the “TRAC OFF” indicator / warning light flashes, contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. There may be trouble
in the traction control system.
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 drive your vehicle with only 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.