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

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
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.

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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
177
Antilock brake system
The antilock brake system is designed to automatically help
prevent lockup of the wheels during a sudden brake or braking
on slippery road surfaces. This assists in providing directional
stability and steering performance of the vehicle under these
circumstances.
The antilock brake system becomes operative after the vehicle has
accelerated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h (6 mph).
It stops operating when the vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
You may hear a sound in the engine compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just after the vehicle is started. This
means that the antilock brake system is in the selfcheck mode, and
does not indicate a malfunction.
Effective way to press the ABS brake pedal: When the antilock
brake system function is in action, you may feel the brake pedal
pulsating and hear a noise. In this situation, to let the antilock brake
system work for you, just hold the brake pedal down more firmly.
Do not pump the brake. This will result in reduced braking
performance.
The brake pedal pulsation caused by the antilock brake system may
indicate hazardous road surface conditions. Although the antilock
brake system assists in providing vehicle control, it is still important
to drive with all due care, because the antilock brake system cannot
overcome the laws of physics that act on your vehicle:
Braking capability is dependent on tire friction with the road
surface.Even though the antilock brake system is operating, a driver
cannot maintain full control on certain slippery road surfaces,
when cornering at high speeds, or in violent maneuvers.
Avoid high speeds on wet roads. The antilock brake system
cannot eliminate the risk of hydroplaning and loss of tire friction.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles not fitted with an antilock brake system,
your vehicle may require a longer stopping distance in the following
cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snowcovered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has other
differences in surface height.

DRIVING TIPS
183 Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto parts
stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix
with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it
may damage your vehicle’s paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could
freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ”P” and block the front
wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated
in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze the parking
brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult.
During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders
occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry
some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper
cables, etc.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passengercarrying vehicle.
Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling,
performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel
consumption, etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend on the
proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For
your safety and the safety of others, you must not overload your
vehicle or trailer. Lexus warranties do not apply to damage or
malfunction caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Ask your local Lexus dealer for further details before towing.
NOTICE
When towing a trailer, be sure to consult your Lexus dealer for
further information on additional requirements.
Weight limits
Before towing, make sure the total trailer weight, gross vehicle
weight, gross axle weight and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load can be measured with
platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.

DRIVING TIPS
187
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently than
when not towing. The three main causes of vehicletrailer
accidents are driver error, excessive speed and improper trailer
loading. Keep these in mind when towing:
Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all
vehicletrailer connections. After driving a short distance, stop
and recheck the lights and connections. Practice turning,
stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away from traffic
until you learn the feel.
Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip the
bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the left to
move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to move
the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally opposite to
that when backing without a trailer.) Also, just turn the steering
wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when backing to reduce the risk of an
accident.
Because stopping distance may be increased, vehicletovehicle
distance should be increased when towing a trailer. For each 16
km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer
length between you and the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking
as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This
is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could hit your
vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid
the need of sudden braking.
Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be
closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore,
compensate for this by making a larger than normal turning radius
with your vehicle.
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of
your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention to the rear
from time to time to prepare yourself for being passed by large
trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway.
If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce
speed immediately but gradually. Never increase speed. If it is
necessary to reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If
you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your
vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires
considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the
length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room before
changing lanes.
In order to maintain efficient engine braking and electrical
charging performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission must
be in the ”4” position.