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

INTRODUCTION
ii
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Lexus limited
warranties:
 New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the separate ”Owner’s
Guide”, ”Owner’s Manual Supplement” or ”Warranty Booklet”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance is performed. Section 5 of this Owner’s Manual gives
details of these maintenance requirements. Included in Section 6 is
general maintenance. For sche duled maintenance information,
please refer to the separate ”Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Schedule”.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of your
Lexus
A wide variety of nongenuine spare parts and accessories for Lexus
vehicles are currently available in the market. You should know that
Toyota does not warrant these products and is not responsible either
for their performance, repair or replacement, or for any damage they
may cause to, or adverse effect they may have on, your Lexus
vehicle.
This vehicle should not be m odified with nongenuine Lexus
products. Modification with nongenuine Lexus products could
affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance
problems
resulting from the modification may not be covered under
warranty.
Spark ignition system of your Lexus
The spark ignition system in your Lexus meets all requirements of
the Canadian InterferenceCausing Equipment Standard.
Installation of a mobile twoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile twoway radio system in your vehicle
could affect electronic systems such as the multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel injection system, cruise control
system, antilock brake system and Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS), be sure to check with your Lexus dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in your Lexus consists of
driver and front passenger airbag s, side airbags and seat belt
pretensioners. The SRS device contains explosive chemicals. If the
vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left
as they are, it may cause an accident such as a fire. Be sure to have
the SRS removed and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by
your Lexus dealer before you scrap your vehicle.

00L011-2
00L012-5
Shift while pressing the brake pedal. (Ignition
switch must be in the ”ON” position.)
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
4
3. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OPERATION OF SELECTOR LEVER
SELECTOR LEVER POSITION
P:Parking, engine starting and key removal position
R:Reverse position
N:Neutral position
D:Normal driving position (Shifting into overdrive
possible)
4:Position for engine braking (Shifting into overdrive
not possible)*
3, 2:Position for more powerful engine braking
L:Position for maximum engine braking
*: When the cruise control is being used, even if you downshift from ”D” to ”4”, engine braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled. For the operation to decrease the vehicle speed, see page 170.

00L013
00L014
High beam
Headlight flasherParking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
00L013
00L013
Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on
at full intensity.
Automatic light controlParking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument
panel lights turn on.
Headlights also turn on.
Automatic light control
BASIC OPERATION QUICK REFERENCE
5
4. HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SW
ITCH
HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR U.S.A.)
HEADLIGHT SWITCH (FOR CANADA)
With the ignition OFF
With the engine started and parking brake
released

KEYS AND DOORS
10
11L023-3
Do not bend the key grip.
Do not cover the key grip with any material that cuts off
electromagnetic waves.
Do not knock the key hard against other objects.
Do not leave the key exposed to high temperatures for a long
period, such as on the dashboard and hood under the direct
sunlight.
Do not put the key in water or wash it in an ultrasonic washer.
Do not use the key with electromagnetic materials.
ENGINE IMMOBILISER SYSTEM
11L0243
The engine immobiliser system is a theft prevention system.
When you insert the key in the ignition switch, the transponder
chip in the key’s head transmits an electronic code to the vehicle.
The engine will start, only when the electronic code in the chip
corresponds to the registered ID code for the vehicle.
The system is automatically set when the key is removed from the
ignition switch. At this time, the security indicator light at the
bottom of the instrument cluster flashes. When you insert the key in
the ignition switch, the security indicator light goes out and the
system is canceled automatically, which enables the engine to start.
For your Lexus dealer to make you a new key with builtin
transponder chip, your dealer will need your key number and master
key. However, there is a limit to the number of additional keys your
Lexus dealer can make for you.

KEYS AND DOORS
12In the following cases, the battery in the key may be discharged. If
this is a case, replace it using a special screwdriver.
The remote control does not work.
The operational range of wireless remote control becomes
extremely short.
The indicator light on the key is dimmed or does not come on.
For the replacement of the battery, see ”Replacing the battery” on
page 16. You can also have the battery of the key replaced by your
Lexus dealer.
If you lose the wireless key, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible to avoid the possibility of theft, or an accident.
You can use up to 4 wireless remote control keys for the same
vehicle. Contact your Lexus dealer for detailed information.
The wireless remote control key is an electronic component.
Observe the following instructions in order not to cause damage
on the key.
Do not leave the wireless remote control key on the places where
the temperature becomes high such as on the dashboard.
Do not disassemble it.
Avoid knocking it hard against other objects or dropping it.
Avoid putting it in water.
Locking/Unlocking the doors
When you push the ”LOCK” button on the key briefly, all the
doors can be locked from outside the vehicle.
At this time, you can hear one beep.* However, when you push the
”LOCK” button with any door not closed securely, the buzzer
sounds for 10 seconds.** To stop the buzzer, close all the doors
securely or push the ”UNLOCK” button. If the key is in the ignition
switch, locking cannot be done.
Make sure all the doors are locked when you leave the vehicle. Push
the ”LOCK” button once again. If they were already locked, the turn
signal lights will flash.***
NOTE: *The volume of beep sound can be changed. **The
buzzer can be set not to sound with any door not closed securely.
***The turn signal lights can be set not to flash. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
NOTICE
Do not push the ”LOCK” button any longer than 2 to 3 seconds.
Pushing the button longer activates an alarm. For details, see
page 14.
When you push the ”UNLOCK” button, the driver’s door is
unlocked. Pushing that button once again within 3 seconds from
the first push, all other doors are also unlocked.*
NOTE: *Unlocking by a 2time operation can be changed. Ask
your Lexus dealer for details.

KEYS AND DOORS
13 At this time, two beeps sound.* Together with the activation of
unlocking, the interior light comes on for 15 seconds if the interior
light switch is in ”DOOR” position.** However, this function does
not work when the ignition key is in the ”ON” position. For further
information, see ”Interior lights” on page 49.
You have 30 seconds to open a door after using the wireless remote
unlock feature.*** If a door is not opened by then, all the doors will
be automatically locked again.
Even if the ”LOCK” or ”UNLOCK” switch is kept pressed in, the
locking or unlocking operation is not repeated. Release the button
and then push again.
NOTE: *The volume of beep sound can be changed. **The
interior light can be set not to come on or the duration of lighting
can be changed. ***The time before automatic relocking can
be changed. Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
11L019-1
To turn off the beep sound, push this switch. Pushing it again turns
on the beep sound.

KEYS AND DOORS
14
Unlocking the trunk lid
11L0132
When you keep the button pushed for about 1 second, you can
unlock the trunk lid.* One beep sounds.
This function does not work when the ignition key is in the ”ON”
position.
NOTE: *The operation method can be changed. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.
Sounding an alarm*
11L0143
When you push the ”LOCK” button for about 2 to 3 seconds, an
alarm sounds to deter any person trying to break into or damage
your vehicle.
If you want to stop the alarm, push any button.
This function does not work when the ignition key is in the ”ON”
position.
NOTE: *The alarm can be set not to sound. Ask your Lexus
dealer for details.

KEYS AND DOORS
18
DOORS
Locking with key
11L0261
1
Lock 2
Unlock
Turn the key towards the front of the vehicle to lock and towards
the back to unlock.
The doors lock and unlock simultaneously with either front door. In
the driver’s door lock, turning the key once will unlock the driver’s
door and twice in succession will unlock all doors simultaneously.*
In the passenger’s door lock, turning the key once will unlock all
doors simultaneously.
NOTE: *Unlocking by a 2time operation can be changed. Ask
your Lexus dealer for details.
Locking with inside lock button
11L006
1
Lock 2
Unlock
Push in the lock button to lock and unlock the door.
When locked, the door cannot be opened with either the outside or
inside door handle.
Closing the door with the lock button pushed in will also lock the
door. Be careful not to lock your keys in the vehicle. The door will
not lock if the key is left in the ignition switch when closing the front
doors.

SWITCHES
22
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
12L001
To turn the lights on, twist the knob on the end of the lever.
FIRST CLICKSTOP: Only the parking, tail, license plate, side
marker and instrument panel lights turn on.
SECOND CLICKSTOP: Headlights also turn on.
THIRD CLICKSTOP (”AUTO”): The headlights and all other
lights automatically turn on depending on the darkness of the
surroundings.*
Vehicles sold in U.S.A.: When the headlights are on, the headlight
indicator lights up in the instrument cluster.
Vehicles sold in Canada: When the tail lights are on, the tail light
indicator lights up in the instrument cluster.
Manually twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the
headlights if they are needed immediately when entering a dark
tunnel, parking structure, etc.
12L002
The automatic light control sensor is on top of the driver’s side
instrument panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel, and/or do not affix
anything on the windshield to block this sensor.
When the headlights come on, the lights automatically turn off about
30 seconds after any of the doors is opened and closed with the
ignition key turned to the ”ACC” or ”LOCK” position.** To turn
them on again, turn the ignition key to the ”ON” position, or turn the
headlight switch off and then twist the knob until the first or second
clickstop. If you are going to park for over one week, make sure the
headlight switch is off.
When the headlight switch is on with all the doors locked, pushing
the ”LOCK” button on the wireless remote control key turns off the
headlights.
NOTE: *The operating condition or sensitivity can be changed.
**The time before turning off the lights can be changed. Ask your
Lexus dealer for details.

SWITCHES
23 Daytime Running Light System (Canada only)
The headlights turn on when the parking brake is released with the
engine started, even with the light switch in the ”OFF” position.
They will not go off until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel lights, twist
the knob to the first clickstop.
Under the daytime running light system, the headlights turn on at
reduced intensity. Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn to
full intensity for driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (”AUTO”), the
headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity and/or turn on
the other lights depending on the darkness of the surroundings.
Likewise, as the surroundings become brighter, the headlights will
turn to reduced intensity, ultimately turning off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the
lights on longer than necessary when the engine is not running.
Automatic headlight leveling system (Vehicles with
discharge headlight only)
As the headlight beam level is always maintained automatically at
the proper level in all loading conditions, your headlights do not
dazzle other road users.
If this system fails, the multi information display shows a message
”HEADLIGHT LEVELING”. If this occurs, have your vehicle
checked by Lexus dealer.