engine lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) Owner's Guide

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
43
Current fuel consumption
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The current fuel consumption is calculated and displayed based
on the driving distance and the fuel consumption for 2 seconds
with the engine running.
The value is updated every 2 seconds.
If you are driving at low speeds just before stopping, the accurate
figure may not be shown.
Average fuel consumption after being refueled
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The average fuel consumption after being refueled is calculated
and displayed based on the total driving distance and the total
fuel consumption after being refueled.
The value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ”RESET” button.
Driving distance after being refueled
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The driving distance after being refueled is displayed.
Elapsed time
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The total time during the engine running is displayed.
When the engine is started again after the ignition is off, the driving
time is added to the previous value. Up to 99 hours 59 minutes can
be displayed. When the driving time exceeds 99 hours 59 minutes,
the display returns to 0 and recounting starts.
To count from the beginning, push the ”RESET” button.
Average vehicle speed
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The average vehicle speed is calculated and displayed based on
the total driving distance and the total driving time with the
engine running.
The displayed value is updated every 10 seconds.
To calculate from the beginning, push the ”RESET” button.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
44
(b) Warning messages
13L052
Reminder light
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When the engine oil pressure becomes too low, the above
message appears, the reminder light flashes and the warning
tone sounds.
If this message appears while you are driving, pull off the road to a
safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Lexus dealer or
qualified repair shop for assistance.
The message may appear when the oil level is extremely low. It is
not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be
checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning message displayed
even for one block. It may ruin the engine.
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When your brake pads are worn enough to require replacement,
the above message appears, the reminder light flashes and the
warning tone sounds.
If this message appears while you are driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
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When any door or trunk is open with the ignition switch turned
on, the message which door or trunk is open appears, and the
reminder light comes on.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
45 If you continue driving with any door or trunk open, the reminder
light starts flashing and the warning tone sounds to remind you to
close the door or trunk.
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If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition switch turned off
and the moon roof opened, the above message appears and the
reminder light flashes.
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In the following cases, the warning message appears and the
reminder light next to the warning message and the ”VSC OFF”
indicator light come on. And the warning tone also sounds.
(a) After the removal of the battery terminals (See ”Initial
adjustment of vehicle skid control system” on page 175.)
(b) If the vehicle skid control system malfunctions
If the above message appears for the cause of (b), have your vehicle
checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Although the above message appears, you can continue your normal
driving, but without the vehicle skid control system function.
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In the following cases, the above message appears, the reminder
light comes on and the warning tone sounds.
When the headlight switch is turned to the first or second
clickstop with one or more of tail light bulbs burned out.
When the brake pedal is held down with one or more of stop light
bulbs burned out.
Have defective bulbs replaced as soon as possible.
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When the engine oil level is too low, the above message appears,
the reminder light comes on and the warning tone sounds.
Add oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ”Checking the
engine oil level” on page 230.)
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will damage the
engine.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
52
CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND
ASHTRAY
14L010-2
Front cigarette lighter and ashtray
14L011-1
Rear cigarette lighter and ashtrayOpen the ashtray cover. To use the cigarette lighter, press in the
cigarette lighter. When it becomes heated, it automatically pops
out ready for use.
Do not hold the cigarette lighter pressed in.
If the engine is not running, the ignition key must be in the ”ACC”
position.
When finished with your cigarette, thoroughly extinguish it in the
ashtray to prevent other cigarette butts from catching fire. After
using the ashtray, push it back in or close the lid completely.
To remove the ashtray, just pull it up.
Use a Lexus genuine cigarette lighter or equivalent for replacement.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or sudden
stop while driving, always close the ashtray completely after
using.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
53
POWER OUTLET
14L0381
The power outlet is designed for power supply for car
accessories.
The ignition key must be in the ”ACC” or ”ON” position for the
power outlet to be used.
NOTICE
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not use the
electricity over the total vehicle capacity of 3.5A/12V.
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not use the
power outlet longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.
Close the power outlet lid when the power outlet is not in use.
Inserting a foreign object other than the appropriate plug
that fits the outlet, or allowing any liquid into the outlet may
cause electrical failure or short circuits.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
65
FUEL TANK CAP
15L006
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the lever under the
instrument panel.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames when
refuelling. The fumes are flammable.
When opening the cap, do not remove the cap quickly. In
hot weather, fuel under pressure could cause injury by
spraying out of the filler neck if the cap is suddenly
removed.
15L007-1
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap slowly
counterclockwise, then pause slightly before removing it. The
removed cap can be stored on the back side of the fuel filler door.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is opened.
When installing the cap, turn the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on. Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
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.

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.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
121
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS
21L001-5
The automatic air conditioning automatically maintains the set
temperature.
This air conditioning features automatic fan speed and air flow
control which automatically selects the most suitable fan speed
and air flow to control the temperature. The ignition key must be
in the ”ON” position.NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the air
conditioning on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
134
Using your audio system: some basics
This section describes some of the basic features of the Lexus audio
system. Some information may not pertain to your system.
Your audio system works when the ignition key is in the ”ACC” or
”ON” position.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the
car audio on longer than necessary when the engine is not
running.
(a) Turning the system on and off
20L002-1
Push this knob to turn the audio system on and off. Turn this
knob to adjust the volume.
The system turns on in the last mode used.
20L042-2
Push ”AM”, ”FM1/2”, ”TAPE” or ”CD” to turn on that mode.
The selected mode turns on directly.
Push these buttons if you want to switch from one mode to another.
If the tape or disc is not set, the cassette player or compact disc player
does not turn on.
You can turn off the cassette player by ejecting the cassette tape. If
the audio system was previously off, then the entire audio system
will be turned off when you eject the cassette tape. If another
function was previously playing, it will come on again.

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .