maintenance schedule lexus LS400 1998 Audio System / LEXUS 1998 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50498U)

INTRODUCTION
ii
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Lexus limited
warranties:
 New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the separate ”Owner’s
Guide”, ”Owner’s Manual Supplement” or ”Warranty Booklet”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance is performed. Section 5 of this Owner’s Manual gives
details of these maintenance requirements. Included in Section 6 is
general maintenance. For sche duled maintenance information,
please refer to the separate ”Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of your
Lexus
A wide variety of nongenuine spare parts and accessories for Lexus
vehicles are currently available in the market. You should know that
Toyota does not warrant these products and is not responsible either
for their performance, repair or replacement, or for any damage they
may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your Lexus
vehicle.
This vehicle should not be m odified with nongenuine Lexus
products. Modification with nongenuine Lexus products could
affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance
problems
resulting from the modification may not be covered under
warranty.
Spark ignition system of your Lexus
The spark ignition system in your Lexus meets all requirements of
the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equipment Standard.
Installation of a mobile twoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile twoway radio system in your vehicle
could affect electronic systems such as the multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel injection system, cruise control
system, antilock brake system and Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS), be sure to check with your Lexus dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in your Lexus consists of
driver and front passenger airbag s, side airbags and seat belt
pretensioners. The SRS device contains explosive chemicals. If the
vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left
as they are, it may cause an accident such as a fire. Be sure to have
the SRS removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by
your Lexus dealer before you scrap your vehicle.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
129
(c) Air filter
The air filter may clog after long use and reduce air flow. You can
inspect the filter easily.
When you inspect and replace the air filter, be sure to turn off the fan.
21L010
1. Open the glovebox and remove the two covers.
21L011
2. Take out the air filter.
Inspect the lower surface of the filter. If it is just moderately dusty,
it may be cleaned by blowing compressed air from the lower surface.
Do not wash or oil the filter.
If it is dirty, it should be replaced. To maintain the air conditioning
efficiency, replace the air filter according to the maintenance
schedule. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the separate ”Owner’s Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Schedule”.)
NOTICE
Do not drive with the air filter removed, or the efficiency of air
conditioning may be lost.

STARTING AND DRIVING
156To ensure that the threeway 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 ”Owner’s Manual
Supplement/ 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.

DRIVING TIPS
186
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust the
tire pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure indicated
below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended
by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and local
regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer or rental
agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer.
Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights
each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may damage your
vehicle’s electrical system and cause a malfunction of your lights.
Breakin schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component (engine,
transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km
(500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this information,
please refer to the scheduled maintenance information in the
”Owner ’s Manual Supplement/ Maintenance Schedule”.
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pretowing safety check
Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an abnormal
noseup or nosedown condition, and check for improper tongue
load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it cannot
shift.
Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulation. If they do not, install required
rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
189
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy
just take it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here
are some specific tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the
pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight
puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel
consumption.
Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once the engine is running
smoothly, begin driving but gently. Remember, however, that
on cold winter days this may take a little longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are
not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the
road on which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stopandgo driving wastes fuel.Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady
pace. Try to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as
little as possible or take advantage of through streets to avoid
traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid
sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless
wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive,
the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you
will cut down on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the
curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only
causes faster tire wear but also puts an extra load on the engine,
which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not
only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine performance and
contribute to poor fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and
lower operating costs, keep all maintenance work on schedule,
and if you often drive under severe conditions, see that your
vehicle receives more frequent maintenance. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the separate ”Owner’s
Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.)
CAUTION

SECTION 5
212
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance requirements 213. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 214. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 217. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
separate ”Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Maintenance
Schedule”.

MAINTENANCE
213
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Your Lexus vehicle has been designed to have fewer maintenance
requirements with longer service intervals to save both your time and
money. However, each regular maintenance as well as daytoday
care is more important than ever before to ensure smooth,
troublefree, safe, and economical driving.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance, including general maintenance services, is performed.
Note that both the new vehicle and emission control system
warranties specify that proper maintenance and care must be
performed. See the Owner’s Guide, Owner’s Manual Supplement
or Warranty Booklet for complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those daytoday care practices that
are important to your vehicle for proper operation. It is the owner’s
responsibility to ensure that the general maintenance items are
performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself or your
Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the ”Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Schedule” are those required to be
serviced at regular intervals.For details of your maintenance schedule, read the separate
”Owner ’s Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.
It is recommended that any replacement parts used for
maintenance or for the repair of the emission control system be
Lexus supplied.
The owner may elect to use nonLexus supplied parts for
replacement purposes without invalidating the emission control
system warranty. However, use of replacement parts which are
not of equivalent quality may impair the effectiveness of the
emission control systems.
You may also elect to have maintenance, replacement, or repair
of the emission control devices and system performed by any
automotive repair establishment or individual without
invalidating this warranty. See Owner’s Guide, Owner’s
Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for complete
warranty information.
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are welltrained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information through technical bulletins,
service tips, and indealership training programs. They are well
informed about the operation of all the systems on your vehicle.
You can be confident that your Lexus dealer’s service department
performs the best job to meet the maintenance requirements of your
vehicle reliably and economically.

Maintenance procedures for the engine, chassis,
body, electrical system, and more, are clearly
explained and illustrated.
Periodic maintenance and tuneup
Periodic maintenance and tuneup helps to prevent small
problems from growing into larger ones later on. The repair
manual outlines exactly what maintenance is required,
provides a schedule for its performance, and clearly explains
how to do the work yourself stepbystep.
Areas covered include such things as spark plug replacement,
valve clearance adjustment and engine oil and filter
replacement.
Where to obtain the
Repair Manual
The repair manual for LS400, written in English, may be
purchased as applicable from any Lexus dealer.
Pub. Name: 1998 LS400 Repair Manual
Pub. No.: Vol.1 RM578U1
Vol.2 RM578U2