lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50498U)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
196
CAUTION
When making the connections, to avoid serious injury, do not
lean over the battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at about
2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal lightly
depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order: the
negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for example,
lights left on), you should have it checked.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating,
if you experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking
or pinging noise, the engine has probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency
flashers. Put the transmission in ”P” and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of
steam or coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged
already. Call your Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
197 B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check
the following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the
acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has
cooled to normal, continue driving your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your
vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your
Lexus dealer.
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place well away from the traffic.
Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway. Park on a level
spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ”P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from
traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
NOTICE
For vehicles equipped with the height control switch, be sure to
turn the ignition switch off before jacking. If this is not done, the
vehicle height adjustment function will operate, which may
cause body damage.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce the
possibility of personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
198Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ”P”. Block the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being changed if
necessary.
Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point. Raising
the vehicle with jack improperly positioned will damage
the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and
cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported
by the jack alone.
Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.
Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under
the jack.
Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and change
the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short
distance can damage a tire beyond repair.
40L003-1
1
Tool box 2
Jack 3
Spare tire 4
Jack handle
1. Get the tool, jack and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize
yourself with the use of the jack and each tool, and their storage
locations.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
199
40L004-1
1
Joint
2
When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand in the
”contract” direction until the jack is free.
3
When storing, turn the joint by hand in the ”expand”
direction until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from
flying forward during a collision or sudden braking.
40L0051
To remove the spare tire:
1
Remove the spare tire cover.
2
Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the inner side of the wheel
facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the spare tire cover
to prevent the tire from flying forward during a collision or sudden
braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
200
40L0061
2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep the
vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking a wheel, place a wheel block in front of the front
wheels or behind the rear wheels.
40L0074
Paper for protecting surface
3. Remove the wheel ornament.
Pry off the wheel ornament, using the screwdriver as shown.
CAUTION
Do not try to pull off the ornament by hand. Take due care in
handling the ornament to avoid unexpected personal injury.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
201
40L0081
4. Loosen all the wheel nuts.
Always loosen the wheel nuts before raising the vehicle.
Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen them. To get maximum
leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle is on the right
side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the end of the handle
and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the wrench does not slip
off the nut.
Do not remove the nuts yet just unscrew them about onehalf turn.
40L0091
5. Position the jack at the jack points as shown.
Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid surface.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
202
40L0102
6. After making sure no one is in the vehicle, raise it high enough
so that the spare tire can be installed.
Allow for the fact that you need more ground clearance when putting
on the spare tire than when removing the flat tire.
To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is a loose
fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the vehicle and begins
to lift, doublecheck that it is properly positioned.
CAUTION
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is supported by
the jack alone.
40L0111
7. Remove the wheel nuts and remove the flat tire.
Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside.
40L0121
Before putting on the wheel, remove any corrosion on the mounting
surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of wheels without
good metaltometal contact at the mounting surface can cause
wheel nuts to loosen and eventually cause a wheel to come off while
driving.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
203
40L0131
8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger tight.
Align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up the wheel
and get at least the top bolt started through its hole. Wiggle the tire
and press it back over the other bolts.
Reinstall the wheel nuts and tighten them as much as you can by
hand. Press the tire back and see if you can tighten them more.
40L0141
9. Lower the vehicle completely and tighten the wheel nuts.
Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.
Use only the wheel nut wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use other
tools or any additional leverage other than your hands, such as a
hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is securely
engaged over the nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat the
process until all the nuts are tight.
CAUTION
When lowering the vehicle, make sure all portions of your
body and all other persons around will not be injured as the
vehicle is lowered to the ground.
As soon as possible after changing wheels, have the wheel
nuts tightened by torque wrench at 103 N·m (10.5 kgf·m, 76
ft·lbf.).

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
204
40L0151
10. Reinstall the wheel ornament.
Put the wheel ornament into position and then tap it firmly with the
side or heel of your hand to snap it into place.
CAUTION
Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected
personal injury.
11. After changing the wheel, check the air pressure of the
replaced tire. Stow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to the nearest
service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and moisture could
get into the valve core and possible cause air leakage. If the cap is
missing, put a new one on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your tires.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are
securely in place in their storage location to reduce the
possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden
braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
205
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE
TOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service. In consultation
with them, have your vehicle towed using either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a Lexus
dealer or commercial tow truck service, tow your vehicle
carefully in accordance with the instructions given in ”(d)
Emergency towing” on page 208.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged
while being towed. Commercial operators are generally aware of the
state/provincial and local laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although
most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to make a
mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following
few precautions are observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow
truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the
state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
From front
40L021
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the
front with rear wheels on the ground, as this may cause serious
damage to the transmission.