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

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
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.

SECTION 1 5
61
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Exterior equipment
Hood 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel tank cap 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moon roof 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
66
CAUTION
Make sure the cap is tightened securely to prevent fuel
spillage in case of an accident.
Use only a genuine Lexus fuel tank cap for replacement. It
has a builtin check valve to reduce fuel tank vacuum.
In case the opener is not actuated
15L008-2
Pull the manual lever toward the back.
This is used in case the fuel filler door cannot be opened due to a
discharged battery or other trouble.
MOON ROOF
15L0241
1
Open 2
Close
To slide open the moon roof, push the switch toward the back for
about 1 second. The moon roof will fully open. To stop partway,
push the same switch or push the ”TILT” switch.
The sun shade can be opened or closed manually. However, if you
open the moon roof, the sun shade will be opened with the moon
roof.
To close the moon roof, push the switch toward the front for
about 1 second. The moon roof will fully close. To stop partway,
push the same switch or push the ”TILT” switch.

DRIVING TIPS
182Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 163.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
highspeed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet.
If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping
distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are
applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethyleneglycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be
in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 253
tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 232 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer
oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting.
If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer
they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or
obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock deicer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.

ENGINE
226 COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
10.8 L (11.4 qt., 10.4 lmp.qt.)
Ethylene glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
FUEL
Fuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug Make DENSO
NGK
Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Maintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 20C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge
Slow charge
Nonmaintenance battery
Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with
all the lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE
228
Improved gasolines
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
has developed a specification of improved gasolines. The AAMA
specification offers optimal fuel information for better vehicle
performance and better protection of your engine.
Lexus recommends the use of gasolines that meet the AAMA
specification, if available, for improved drivability and emission
control system.
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl TertiaryButyl Ether)
are available in the market. If you use a gasoline mixed with
MTBE, make certain that it does not contain more than 15% of
MTBE.
If the use of gasolines containing MTBE causes poor drivability
and/or poor fuel economy, you should stop using them.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octaneenhancing additive called
MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that contain MMT.
If fuels containing MMT are used, your emission control system may
be adversely affected. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the
instrument cluster may come on. If this happens, contact your Lexus
dealer for service.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use gasohol
in your Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an octane rating
no lower than 87 and does not contain more than 10% ethanol.
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines containing
methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline meeting
the requirements above and also containing less than 5% methanol
with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel
system damage or vehicle performance problems.
If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot starting,
vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue its use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may
cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
85 L (22.5 gal., 18.7 lmp.gal.)

ENGINE
232
Engine oil selection
Use API SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ, ”EnergyConserving”
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
62L0051
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
SAE 5W30 is the best choice for your vehicle, for good fuel
economy, and good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W30 engine oil in extremely low
temperatures, the engine may become difficult to start, so SAE
5W30 engine oil is recommended.
Oil identification marks
62L0061
API Service Symbol
ILSAC Certification Mark
Either or both API registered marks are added to some oil containers
to help you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located anywhere on the outside of the
container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil quality by API
(American Petroleum Institute) designation such as SJ. The
center portion of the label shows the SAE viscosity grade such as
SAE 5W30. ”EnergyConserving”, shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuelsaving capabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee) Certification Mark is displayed on the
front of the container.

CHASSIS
241
CAUTION
The reservoir may be hot so be careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be damaged.
When adding the power steering fluid, avoid spilling it. The
generator under the power steering reservoir could be
damaged if fluid is spilled on it.
CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE
63L004-1
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the vehicle
capacity weight are given on the label inside the glovebox lid.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at least once
a month. And don’t forget the spare! The pressure for the spare tire
should be 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi). Incorrect tire pressure
can reduce tire life and make your vehicle less safe to drive.
Low tire pressure results in excessive wear, poor handling, reduced
fuel economy, and the possibility of blowouts from overheated tires.
Also, low tire pressure can cause poor sealing of the tire bead. If the
tire pressure is excessively low, there is the possibility of wheel
deformation and/or tire separation. So keep your tire pressures at the
proper level. If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by
your Lexus dealer.