fuel lexus LS400 1996 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminders / 1996 LS400: STARTING AND DRIVING

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
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.

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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.

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132
(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.

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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.