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

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
94
16L107
Do not allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the front
passenger seat. The airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force; the child may be killed or seriously injured.
Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms. Use a child
restraint system in the rear seat. For instructions
concerning the installation of a child restraint system, see
”Child restraint” on page 98.
16L034-2
Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad that houses the driver and
front passenger airbag system. They might restrict
inflation or cause death or serious injury as they are
projected rearward by the force of the deploying airbags.
Likewise, the driver and front passenger should not hold
things in their arms or on their knees.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
95
16L179
Do not attach a cup holder or any other device on or around
the door. When the side airbag inflates, the cup holder or
any other device will be thrown with great force, or the side
airbag may not activate correctly, resulting in death or
serious injury. Likewise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold things in their arms or on their knees.
Do not use accessories for the seats which cover the parts
where the side airbags should inflate. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, causing
death or serious injury.
Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel column cover, front passenger airbag cover,
front seats, airbag sensor assembly or seat belt assemblies.
Doing any of these may cause sudden SRS operation or
disable the system, which could result in death or serious
injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats or surface of the front
seats with side airbags. Such changes may disable the
system or cause the side airbags to inflate, resulting in
death or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or
serious injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
96
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting
your Lexus dealer. Such changes can interfere with proper
operation of the SRS in some cases.
Installation of electronic items such as a mobile twoway
radio, cassette tape player or compact disc player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and side structure of
the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar, etc.),
snow plow, winches or any other equipment to the front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure, console, steering column, steering wheel,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag, front seats or seat
belt assembly.
16L136-2
This SRS has an indicator to inform the driver of operating problems.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners. Even if the
seat belt pretensioners should fail, the seat belts will operate
conventionally. 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
97
16L036-6
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible:
Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
If either front seat belt does not retract or cannot be pulled out due
to a malfunction or activation of the pretensioner.The front seat belt retractor assembly or surrounding area has
been damaged.
The front part of the vehicle and portion of the doors (shaded in
the illustration) were involved in an accident that did not cause the
SRS to work.
The surface of the seats with the side airbags or the pad section
of the steering wheel or front passenger airbag cover (shaded in
the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting your
Lexus dealer.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
113
16L0401
1
Bolt 2
Anchor bracket 3
Spacer
4. Insert a 15 mm (0.6 in.) spacer, and tighten down the anchor
bracket for your child restraint system with a bolt. Torque the bolt
to 16.5 24.7 N·m (1.68 2.52 kgf·m, 12.2 18.2 ft·lbf.).
To comply with Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, vehicles
sold in Canada are provided with a bracket set in the glovebox.
DRIVING POSITION MEMORY
SYSTEM
The micro computer can memorize the position of the driver’s seat,
the height of the shoulder belt anchor of the driver’s seat belt, and the
positions of the tilt and telescopic steering, and outside rear view
mirrors. Two different driving position profiles can be entered into
the computer’s memory.
Recording a driving position in the computer’s memory can only be
done when the ignition key is in the ”ON” position and the shift lever
is in the ”P” position.
Setting a driving position
16L055
1. Adjust the driver’s seat, driver’s shoulder belt anchor, tilt and
telescopic steering and outside rear view mirrors to the desired
position.
2. While pushing the ”SET” button, push button ”1” or ”2” until
the signal beeps.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
114The beep sound means that the positions are recorded in the
computer ’s memory.
By repeating these two steps and pressing the remaining button, the
driving position for another driver can be recorded.
To set a new memorized position, select the desired position and
perform step 2. The previous memory will be erased and the new
position will be set.
To make only slight changes to an already memorized position, the
easiest way is to first activate the memorized position, then make the
desired changes and perform step 2 above.
Activating a memorized position
16L056
When you push button ”1” or ”2”, the driving position will be
automatically adjusted to the position recorded for that button.Conditions for memorized position activation
Ignition key ”ON” and shift lever in ”P” position.
All parts of the memorized positions can be activated.
However, if the brake pedal is being depressed, the seat position
will not change.
Key not in ignition switch and within 30 seconds of opening
driver’s door.
The memorized position can be activated, except for the tilt and
telescopic steering.
If any driving position memory switch is pushed while one of the
memorized driving position profiles is being activated, the operation
will stop.
To activate the system, push the desired button (”1” or ”2”) again.
The driving position memory control system cannot be operated
while the vehicle is moving.
If the vehicle’s battery is disconnected, the computer’s memory will
be erased and the memorized positions will have to be set again.
CAUTION
Do not start the vehicle while the adjustments are being
made.
Take care not to select the wrong button, or the seat could
strike the rear passenger or hit your body against the
steering wheel. If this happens, you can stop the movement
by pressing another driving position memory switch, or
depressing the brake pedal.

SECTION 3 1
154
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Threeway catalytic converter 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 159. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronically modulated air suspension 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 173. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 174. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING AND DRIVING
157
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 ”ON”, and check the fuel gauge to see that
you have sufficient fuel.
IGNITION SWITCH WITH
STEERING LOCK
31L0011
”START” Starter motor on. The key will return to the ”ON”
position when released.
For starting tips, see page 159.
”ON” Engine on and all accessories on.
This is the normal driving position.
NOTICE
Do not leave the key in the ”ON” position if the engine is not
running. The battery will discharge and the electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system could be damaged.
”ACC” Accessories such as the radio operate, but the engine
is off.
If you leave the key in the ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position and open the

STARTING AND DRIVING
158driver’s door, a buzzer will remind you to remove the key.*
NOTE: *The volume or interval of beep sound can be changed.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
31L0031
”LOCK” Engine is off and the steering wheel is locked. The
ignition key can be removed only at this position.
To turn the key from ”ACC” to the ”LOCK” position, you must put
the transmission selector lever in the ”P” position.
Once you remove the key, the engine immobiliser system is
automatically set. See ”Engine immobiliser system” on page 10.
When starting the engine, the key may seem stuck at the ”LOCK”
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 ”ACC”.
PARKING BRAKE
31L005
1
To set: Fully depress the parking brake pedal.
2
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
174
VEHICLE SKID CONTROL SYSTEM
The vehicle skid control system helps to provide comprehensive
control of the systems such as an antilock brake system,
traction control, engine control, electronically modulated air
suspension, etc. This system automatically controls the output
of the brakes or engine to help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road surface or abrupt steering
wheel operation occurs.
31L0521
Slip indicator light
If the vehicle is going to skid during driving, the slip indicator light
flashes and an alarm sounds.
The vehicle skid control activates when the vehicle speed is about
more than 15 km/h (9 mph).Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly causes a small noise from the
engine compartment. This is a pump pulsating sound of the brake
system and it is not a malfunction.
You may hear a slight clicking noise in the engine compartment for
a few seconds when the engine is started or just after the vehicle is
started. This means that the vehicle skid control is in the selfcheck
mode and does not indicate a malfunction.
31L017-2
You can turn off the vehicle skid control system by pushing the
”VSC OFF” switch. The ”VSC OFF” indicator comes on. At
this time, the traction control system also turns off. You cannot
turn off either one of them. Pushing the ”VSC OFF” switch a
second time turns the system back on and extinguishes the ”VSC
OFF” indicator light.
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns on.