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

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

STARTING AND DRIVING
173
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatically helps control the
spinning of the rear wheels which may occur when accelerating
on slippery road surfaces, thus assisting driver to control the
driving power of the rear wheels.
31L0521
When you turn the ignition switch on, this system always turns
on. Leave the system on during ordinary driving so that it can
operate when needed. When traction control is applied, the slip
indicator light blinks.
When the traction control system is operating, you may feel
vibration of your vehicle, caused by operation of the brakes. This
indicates the system is functioning properly.
When getting the vehicle out of mud or new snow, etc. the traction
control system will help operate to prevent the wheels from
spinning.
To turn off the traction control system, see page 174.
CAUTION
Under certain slippery road conditions, full traction of the
vehicle and power to the rear wheels cannot be maintained,
even though the traction control system is in operation. Do not
drive the vehicle under any speed or maneuvering conditions
which will cause the vehicle to lose traction. In situations
where the road surface is covered with ice or snow, your
vehicle should be fitted with snow tires or tire chains. Always
drive at an appropriate and cautious pace.

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
179
TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally equipped
with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are highspeed capability tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as
snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on
snowcovered or icy roads. For driving on snowcovered or icy
roads, we recommend using snow tires. If installing snow tires, be
sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and
to be adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for
use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow.
Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling
performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season tires on your vehicle as
this can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.
Do not use tires other than the manufacturer’s designated
tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the sizes different
from the originals.

CHASSIS
244
Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared in accordance with
regulations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It
provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Lexus
vehicles with information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Lexus dealer will help answer any questions you may have
as you read this information.
DOT quality grades All passenger vehicle tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
These quality grades are molded on the sidewall.
Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction A, B, C The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
A, B and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
Warning: The temperature grade of this tire established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

CHASSIS
245
Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use only the same size and construction
as originally installed and with the same or greater load capacity.
Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect handling,
ride, speedometer/odometer calibration, ground clearance, and
clearance between the body and tires or snow chains.
Do not mix radial, belted, or conventional tires on your vehicle.
Do not use tires or wheels other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size.
It can cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of
control. If you need to change from conventional tires to radial tires
or vice versa, replace them as a set.
INSTALLING SNOW TIRES AND
CHAINS
When to use snow tires or chains
Snow tires or chains are recommended when driving on snow or
ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional or radial tires provide better
traction than snow or studded tires.
Snow tire selection
If you need snow tires, select the same size, construction and load
capacity as the original tires on your Lexus.
Do not use tires other than stated above. Since your vehicle has
radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also
have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without first
checking local regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the rear wheels only can lead to an excessive
difference in road grip capability between the front and rear tires
which could cause loss of vehicle control.

INDEX (T W)
284
T
Tachometer 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Telescopic steering column 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft deterrent system 117. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt steering wheel 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires
Chains 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing 202. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 241. . . . . . . . . .
Rotation 242. . . . . . . . . .
Snow 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare 198. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information 241. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform tire quality grading 244. . . . . . . . . . .
Tools 222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Emergency towing 208. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . .
Trailer 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 173. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transporting your Lexus by flat bed 206. . . . . .
Trip meter 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk lid opener 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signals 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Twin trip meter 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 179. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
V
Vanity mirrors 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 174. . . . . . . . . . . . .
W
Warning buzzers 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning messages 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer fluid, Adding 261
Washing and waxing 271
Wheels, Aluminum 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper and washer switch 25. . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wireless remote control transmitter 11. . . . . . . . .