lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) Owners Manual

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
76
TILT AND TELESCOPIC STEERING
WHEEL
Adjustment of steering wheel tilt
16L0101
To adjust the tilt of the steering wheel, push the control switch
upward or downward to set it to the desired position.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is moving.
Adjustment of telescopic steering column
16L0111
To adjust the steering column length, push the control switch
forward or backward to set the steering wheel to the desired
position.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the steering column while the vehicle is moving.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
77
Auto tilt away*
16L012-2
When the ignition key is removed, the steering column moves
forward away from the driver and also tilts up for easy exit and
entry.
When the key is inserted in the ignition switch, the steering column
returns to the previously set position.
NOTE: *This feature can be set inoperative. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16L016
Adjust the mirror so you can just see the side of your vehicle in
the mirror.
When the inside rear view mirror darkens in ”AUTO” mode, the
outside rear view mirrors also darken to reduce the reflection of the
headlights of the following vehicle. For details, see ”Inside rear view
mirror” on page 79.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving. It may
cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an accident may
occur, resulting in personal injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
78
Power rear view mirror control
16L017-1
1
Master switch 2
Control switch
To adjust the power rear view mirror, first place the master
switch at ”L” (left) or ”R” (right), and push the control switch
on the desired side.
If the engine is not running, the key must be in the ”ACC” position
for operation of the power rear view mirror.When you are backing up, you can adjust the mirror on the
passenger’s side down quickly in the following procedure.
1. Put the selector lever in the ”R” position.
2. Place the master switch at ”L” (left).
The mirror returns to the previous position by any of the
following operations.
Put the selector lever in a position other than ”R”.
Place the master switch in a position other than the present
setting.
Turn the ignition key to the ”LOCK” position.
However, the passenger’s side mirror remains down when shifting
between ”R” and ”D”repeatedly (i.e., when putting your vehicle into
the garage) within 2 minutes after the mirror is adjusted down.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control or scrape
the mirror face. Use a spray deicer to free the mirror.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
79
Folding rear view mirrors
16L018
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
restricted areas.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be extended
and properly adjusted before driving.
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
16L019-1
Pushing the switch changes the mode between ”AUTO” and
”DAY”.
The indicator comes on when the ”AUTO” mode is selected.
”DAY” mode: The mirror surface is normal.
”AUTO” mode: If the mirror detects light from the headlights
of the vehicle behind you, the mirror surface darkens slightly to
reduce the reflected light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the outside rear
view mirror surfaces will also become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the inside rear view
mirror always turns on in the ”AUTO” mode.
Adjust it before driving so that the rear view is the best.
When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a little longer
for the mirror to darken in response to the detection of headlights.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
80
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in the vehicle be
properly restrained at all times with the seat belts provided. Failure
to do so could increase the chance of injury and/or the severity of
injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the
child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belts.
See ”Child restraint” for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should sit
in the rear seat and must be restrained using the vehicle’s seat belt.
According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should be worn
properly. Do not let the child sit on your lap. It does not provide
sufficient restraint. If an accident occurs and the seat belts are not
worn properly, the force of the rapid inflation of the airbag may cause
severe injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear or front
seats. An unrestrained child could suffer serious injury during
emergency braking or a collision.Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a seat belt. Ask
your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be
worn securely and as low as possible over the hips and not on the
waist.
Injured person. Lexus recommends the use of a seat belt.
Depending on the injury, first check with your doctor for specific
recommendations.
CAUTION
Persons should ride in their seats properly wearing their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is moving. Otherwise, they are
much more likely to suffer serious bodily injury in the event
of sudden braking or a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe the following:
Use the belt for only one person at a time. Do not use a
single belt for two or more people even children.
Avoid reclining the seatbacks too much. The seat belts
provide maximum protection when the seatbacks are in the
upright position. (See ”Adjusting seatback angle”.)
Be careful not to damage the belt webbing or hardware.
Take care that they do not get caught or pinched in the seat
or doors.
Inspect the belt system periodically. Check for cuts,
fraying, and loose parts. Damaged parts should be
replaced. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
81 Keep the belts clean and dry. If they need cleaning, use a
mild soap solution or lukewarm water. Never use bleach,
dye, or abrasive cleaners they may severely weaken the
belts.
Replace the belt assembly (including bolts) if it has been
used in a severe impact. The entire assembly should be
replaced even if damage is not obvious.
Front seat belt buckle illumination
16L020
Opening the driver’s door lights up the driver’s seat belt buckle
for easy use. The same applies for the front passenger’s door and
seat belt buckle.
The light remains on for 15 seconds after the door is closed, but goes
off immediately when all doors are locked.
Fastening front and rear seat belts
16L115-1
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and well back in the
seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out of the retractor and insert the
tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size and the seat
position.
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on impact.
It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly. A slow, easy motion
will allow the belt to extend, and you can move around freely.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
82When a passenger’s shoulder belt is completely extended and is then
retracted even slightly, the belt is locked in that position and cannot
be extended. This feature is used to hold the child restraint system
securely. (For details, see ”Child restraint” on page 98.) To free the
belt again, fully retract the belt and then pull the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly pull the
belt and release it. You will then be able to smoothly pull the belt out
of the retractor.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are
locked and that the belt is not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may
prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately
contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use the seat until the seat
belt is fixed. It cannot protect an adult occupant or your
child from injury.
16L116-1
Adjust the position of the lap and shoulder belts.
1
Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips not on
your waist.
2
Adjust it to a snug fit by pulling the shoulder portion upward
through the latch plate.
CAUTION
Highpositioned lap belts and loosefitting belts both could
cause severe injuries due to sliding under the lap belt
during a collision or other unintended result. Keep the lap
belt positioned as low on hip as possible.
For your safety, do not place the shoulder belt under your
arm.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
83
16L023-1
Front seat belts only
Adjust the shoulder anchor position to your size.
Manual type: To raise the anchor position, push the anchor up. To
lower the anchor position, support the anchor while you push the
lock release button then slide the anchor down. After adjustment,
make sure the anchor is locked in position.
CAUTION
Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned across the
center of your shoulder. The belt should be kept away from
your neck, but not falling off your shoulder. Failure to do so
could reduce the amount of protection in an accident and
cause severe injuries in a collision.
16L024-1
Front seat belts only
Power type: To adjust the shoulder anchor position, press the upper
or lower part of the control switch located on the door. When the
switch is released, the shoulder anchor will stop at that position.
CAUTION
Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned across the
center of your shoulder. The belt should be kept away from
your neck, but not falling off your shoulder. Failure to do so
could reduce the amount of protection in an accident and
cause severe injuries in a collision.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
84
16L117-1
To release the belt, press the buckle release button and allow the
belt to retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull it out and check for kinks
or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted as it retracts.
Seat belt extender
If the front or rear outside seat belts cannot be fastened securely
because it is not long enough, a personalized seat belt extender is
available from your Lexus dealer free of charge.
Please contact your local Lexus dealer so that the dealer can order
the proper required length for the extender. Bring the heaviest coat
you expect to wear for proper measurement and selection of length.
Additional ordering information is available at your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender, observe the following.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in less
effectiveness of the seat belt restraint system in case of vehicle
accident, increasing the chance of personal injury.
Never use the seat belt extender if you can fasten the seat
belt without it.
Remember that the extender provided for you may not be
safe when used on a different vehicle, or for another person
or at a different seating position than the one originally
intended for.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
85
16L026-1
To connect the extender to the seat belt, insert the tab into the
seat belt buckle so that the ”PRESS” signs on the buckle release
buttons of the extender and the seat belt are both facing outward
as shown.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
When releasing the seat belt, press on the buckle release button on
the extender, not on the seat belt. This helps prevent damage to the
vehicle interior and extender itself.
When not in use, remove the extender and store in the vehicle for
future use.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are
locked and that the belt is not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may
prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately
contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use the seat until the seat
belt is fixed. It cannot protect an adult occupant or your
child from injury.