lexus LS400 1996 Audio System / 1996 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

125
SECTION 3 ± 1
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter 126
Engine exhaust caution 127
Before starting the engine 128
Ignition switch with steering lock 128
Parking brake 129
How to start the engine 130
Automatic transmission 131
Cruise control 136
Electronically modulated air suspension 139
Traction control system 141
Brake system 142
Types of tires 145

STARTING AND DRIVING
126
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER
Three±way catalytic converters are emission control
devices installed in the exhaust system.
The three±way catalytic converter located at the confluence
of exhaust pipes looks somewhat like a muffler, but its
purpose is to reduce pollutants in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION!

Keep people and combustible materials away from
the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything
that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper
or rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases flowing into the
three±way catalytic converter may cause it to
overheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this and
other damage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;
running out of fuel could cause the engine to
misfire, creating an excessive load on the
three±way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed for more
than 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is
moving.
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
127
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. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the separate ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Schedule.º
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
128
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 ªONº, and check the fuel
gauge to see that you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH STEERING
LOCK
ªSTARTº ± Starter motor on. The key will return to the
ªONº position when released.
For starting tips, see page 130.
ªONº ± Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ªONº position if the
engine is not running. The battery will discharge
and the electronic ignition system/distributor
ignition system could be damaged.
ªACCº ± Accessories such as the radio operate, but the
engine is off.

STARTING AND DRIVING
129 If you leave the key in the ªACCº or ªLOCKº position and
open the driver's door, a buzzer will remind you to remove
the key.
ªLOCKº ± Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked.
The ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ªACCº to the ªLOCKº position, you must
put the transmission selector lever in the ªPº position.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the
ªLOCKº 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 ªACCº.
PARKING BRAKE

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.

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 ªPº. If you need to restart the
engine while the vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in
ªNº. 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 ªBefore crankingº.
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 ªSTARTº. 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 ªIf your vehicle will not startº 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 ªPº position when the
brake pedal is depressed with the ignition switch in
ªONº 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)
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ªDº to ª3º, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page
138.
2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking
Correct use of the automatic transmission is explained
in the following parts.
(a) Normal driving
(b) Using engine braking
(c) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
(d) Backing up
(e) Parking
(f) Good driving practice
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever

STARTING AND DRIVING
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(a) Normal driving

ªPº (Park) positionªNº (Neutral) position
1. Start the engine as instructed in ªHow to start the
engineº on page 130.
The transmission must be in ªPº or ªNº. The engine will not
start in any drive position even if the ignition key is turned to
ªSTARTº.

Driving pattern selector switch
Normal positionPower 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 ªNORMº or ªPWRº 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 ªECT PWRº 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
133

ªDº (Drive) positionBrake pedal
4. With your foot holding down the brake pedal, shift
the selector lever to ªDº.
Always use the ªDº position to improve fuel economy and
quiet driving. Only in this position, shifting into the overdrive
gear is possible. However, while the engine coolant
temperature is low, the transmission will not shift into the
overdrive gear even in the ªDº position. (See ª(b) Using
engine brakingº and ª(f) Good driving practiceº for
exceptions.)
CAUTION!
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting.5. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in the first gear and
automatically shift to the most suitable gear for the running
conditions.
In ª3º position, the automatic transmission system will select
the most suitable gear for the running conditions such as hill
climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see ª(b) Using engine brakingº.

STARTING AND DRIVING
134
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:

Shift into the ª3º position. The transmission will
downshift to the third gear and engine braking will be
obtained.
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from ªDº to ª3º, engine braking will not be
applied because the cruise control is not cancelled. If
you need to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 138.
Shift into the ª2º position. The transmission will
downshift to the second gear when the vehicle speed is
or becomes lower than 119 km/h (74 mph) and more
powerful engine braking will be obtained.
Shift into the ªLº position. The transmission will
downshift to the first gear when the vehicle speed is or
becomes lower than 58 km/h (36 mph) and maximum
engine braking will be applied.
CAUTION!
Be careful when downshifting on a slippery surface.
The abrupt change in engine speed could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.
(c) Using the ª2º and ªLº positions
The ª2º and ªLº positions are used for strong engine braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in ª2º or ªLº, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in ªDº.
With the selector lever in ª2º, the vehicle will start in the first
gear and automatically shift to the second gear.
With the selector lever in ªLº, the transmission is engaged in
the first gear.
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:
ª2º . . . 134 km/h (83 mph)
ªLº . . . . 73 km/h (45 mph)