ignition lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) User Guide

SWITCHES
24
HEADLIGHT DIMMER AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH
12L003
For high beam, push the lever forward. Pull it back for low
beam. For the headlight flasher, pull it further back.
A blue light in the instrument cluster indicates high beam or
headlight flasher is on.
The headlight flasher works even when the headlight switch is off.
12L004
For signaling turns, move the lever up or down in the
conventional manner.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
The turn signal is selfcancelling after a turn, but after a lane change,
you may have to cancel it by hand. You can also signal a lane change
by moving the turn signal lever partway and holding it there.
If the green light in the instrument cluster flashes faster than normal,
it indicates that the front or rear turn signal bulb has burned out. If
this indicator light does not come on, the fuse or the indicator light
itself has probably failed.

SWITCHES
25
FOG LIGHT SWITCH
12L005
To turn on the fog lights, turn the switch to the ”ON” position.
The fog lights come on only when the headlights are on low beam.
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCH
12L0061
1
Interval adjuster 2
Washer on
To turn the wipers on, move the lever down until you reach the
desired speed setting.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
There are 3 settings:
”INT” position: Intermittent operation
”LO” position: Low speed operation
”HI” position: High speed operation
Twist the interval adjuster upward to increase the wiping time
interval between sweeps, and downward to decrease it.
The wiper lever must be in the ”INT” position.

SWITCHES
27
HEADLIGHT CLEANER SWITCH
(CANADA ONLY)
12L0072
To spray fluid on the headlights, push the switch with the
headlights on.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
The warning message ”LOW WASHER FLUID” is displayed in the
multi information display when the fluid level in the tank becomes
nearly empty. For information on adding washer fluid, see ”Adding
washer fluid” on page 261.
NOTICE
Do not turn the headlight cleaner on with the tank empty. It may
cause the cleaner motor to overheat.
REAR WINDOW AND OUTSIDE
REAR VIEW MIRROR DEFOGGER
SWITCH
12L008-4
To turn the electric rear window defogger on, push the switch.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
The thin heater wires on the inside of the rear window and the heater
panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the surface.
Keep your hands off the mirror faces when the switch is on. An
indicator light is on when the defogger is operating.
The system will automatically shut off when the defogger has
operated about 15 minutes.

SWITCHES
28If further defrosting or defogging is desired, simply actuate the
switch again. When the surface has cleared, push the switch once
again to turn the defogger off. Continuous use may cause the battery
to discharge, especially during stopandgo driving. The defogger
is not designed to dry rain water or to melt snow.
If the outside rear view mirrors are heavily coated with ice, use a
spray deicer before operating the switch.
NOTICE
When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be careful not
to scratch or damage the heater wires.
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not operate
the defogger continuously longer than necessary.
POWER WINDOW SWITCHES
12L009-2
1
For driver’s window
2
For front passenger’s window
3
For left rear window
4
For right rear window
To raise or lower the windows, use the switch on each door. The
passengers’ windows can also be controlled by the switches on
the driver’s door.
The power windows work when the ignition key is in the ”ON”
position.
Key off operation: Even if the ignition key is turned to the ”ACC”
or ”LOCK” position, the window can be operated until any of the
doors is opened (or for about 45 seconds).

SWITCHES
30
Operating the windows from outside the vehicle
The windows can be operated using an ignition key.*
NOTE: *This feature can be set inoperative. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
12L0431
Insert the ignition key into the key hole on the driver’s side.
To close the windows: Turn the key in the locking direction and
hold it for a few seconds.
To open the windows: Turn the key in the unlocking direction and
hold it for a few seconds.
Jam protection function
During automatic raising operation, key off raising operation or
raising operation using the ignition key from the outside, the window
stops and is lowered if something gets caught between the window
and window frame.
If an impact is given to the window, this function may work without
anything caught.
CAUTION
Never try jamming any part of your body to make the jam
protection function work intentionally.
The jam protection function may not work when something
gets caught just before the window fully closed.

SWITCHES
31
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury, you must do the following.
Always make sure the head, hands and other parts of the
body of all occupants are kept completely inside the vehicle
before you close the power windows. If someone’s neck,
head or hands gets caught in a closing window, it could
result in a serious injury. When anyone closes the power
windows, be sure that they operate the windows safely.
When small children are in the vehicle, never let them use
the power window switches without supervision. Use the
window lock switch to prevent them from making
unexpected use of the switches.
Never leave small children alone in the vehicle, especially
with the ignition key still inserted. They could use the
power window switches and get trapped in a window.
Unattended children can become involved in serious
accidents.
EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH
12L0121
To turn on the emergency flashers, push the switch.
All the turn signal lights will flash. The emergency flashers will
work with the engine running or off and with or without the ignition
key.
Turn on the emergency flashers to warn other drivers if you must stop
your vehicle where it might be a traffic hazard.
Always pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible.
The turn signal light switch will not work when the emergency
flashers are in operation.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the
switch on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.

SWITCHES
32
SEAT HEATER SWITCHES
12L0132
The seat heater has two switches one marked ”L” (for the left
seat) and the other marked ”R” (for the right seat). Push these
switches to turn the respective seat heater on, and push the
switches again to turn them off.
The ignition key must be in the ”ON” position.
CAUTION
Occupants must use caution when operating the seat heater
because it may make them feel too hot or cause burns at low
temperatures (erythema, varicella). Use extra caution for;
Baby, small child, elderly person, sick person or
handicapped person
Persons who have delicate skin
Persons who are exhausted
Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs which induce
sleep (sleeping drug, cold remedy, etc.)
To prevent the seat overheating, do not use the seat heater with
a blanket, cushion, or other insulating objects which cover the
seat.
NOTICE
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not
stick sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
When cleaning the seats, do not use organic substances
(paint thinner, benzine, alcohol, gasoline, etc.). They may
damage the heater and seat surface.
To prevent the battery from being discharging, turn the
switches on when the engine is running.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
34
FUEL GAUGE
13L0011
Low fuel level warning light
The gauge is displayed when the ignition switch is on and
indicates the approximate quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
It is a good idea to keep the tank over 1/4 full.
If the fuel level approaches ”E” or the low fuel level warning light
comes on, fill the fuel tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank, the
fuel gauge needle may fluctuate or the low fuel level warning light
may come on earlier than usual.
If the fuel tank is completely empty, the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on. Fill the fuel tank immediately.
The indicator lamp goes off after driving several times. If the
indicator lamp does not go off, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
See the inner back cover for fuel capacity and recommended fuelselection.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
13L0022
Normal range
The gauge indicates the engine coolant temperature when the
ignition switch is on. The engine operating temperature will
vary with changes in weather and engine load.
If the needle points to the red zone or higher, stop your vehicle and
allow the engine to cool.
Your vehicle may overheat during severe operating conditions, such
as:
Driving up a long hill on a hot day.
Reducing speed or stopping after high speed driving.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
38If the brake fluid level is correct ...
Have the warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ”ON” or ”START”, the reminder
light flashes and buzzer sounds if the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light stays flashing
and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Front Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
Once the ignition key is turned to ”ON” or ”START”, the reminder
light flashes if a passenger sits in the front passenger seat and does
not fasten the seat belt. Unless the front passenger fastens the belt,
the light stays flashing.
If luggage load is placed on the front passenger seat, depending on
its weight and how it is placed on the seat, builtin sensors in the seat
cushion may detect the pressure, causing the reminder light to come
on.
(d) SRS Warning Light
The indicators come on when the ignition key is turned to the
”ACC” or ”ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS is operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assemblies, inflators, seat belt pretensioners, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.
The light does not come on as described above.
The light stays on or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front passenger
airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side airbags and/or seat belt
pretensioners fail.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
39
(e) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the
engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive belt.
If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the battery
properly.
If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the
battery is discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower, radio,
etc., and drive directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or
loose.
(f) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ”Fuel gauge” on page 34
for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ”Fuel tank cap”
on page 65 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine electrical system
or electronic throttle control system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case c., have your vehicle
checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
(g) ”ABS” Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem somewhere in your antilock
brake system.
If the light comes on while you are driving, have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition key is turned to ”ON”, and
will go off after about a few seconds.
When the ”ABS” warning light is on (and the brake system warning
light is off), the brake system operates conventionally but antilock
brake system is not assisting brake performance so that the wheels
could lock up during a sudden brake or braking on slippery road
surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors are completely closed.