lexus LS400 1999 Comfort Adjustment / LEXUS 1999 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50514U)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
265
fluttering.
Station swapping ± If the FM signal you are listening to
is interrupted or weakened, and there is another strong
station nearby on the FM band, your radio may tune in
the second station until the original signal can be picked
up again.
AM
Fading ± AM broadcasts are reflected by the upper
atmosphere ± especially at night. These reflected
signals can interfere with those received directly from
the radio station, causing the radio station to sound
alternately strong and weak.
Station interference ± When a reflected signal and a
signal received directly from a radio station are very
nearly the same frequency, they can interfere with each
other, making it difficult to hear the broadcast.
Static ± AM is easily affected by external sources of
electrical noise, such as high tension power lines,
lightening, or electrical motors. This results in static.
Caring for your cassette player and tapes
For high performance from your cassette player and
tapes:
Clean the tape head and other parts regularly.
 A dirty tape head or tape path can decrease sound
quality and tangle your cassette tapes. The easiest
way to clean them is by using a cleaning tape. (A wet
type is recommended.)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
266Use high±quality cassettes:

Low±quality cassette tapes can cause many
problems, including poor sound, inconsistent playing
speed, and constant auto±reversing. They can also
get stuck or tangled in the cassette player.
 Do not use a cassette if it has been damaged or
tangled or if its label is peeling off.
 Do not leave a cassette in the player if you are not
listening to it, especially if it is hot outside.
 Store cassettes in their cases and out of direct
sunlight.
 Avoid using cassettes with a total playing time longer
than 100 minutes (50 minutes per side). The tape
used in these cassette is thin and could get stuck or
tangled in the cassette player. Caring for your compact disc player and discs
20L037

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
267

Use only compact discs labeled as shown. The
player is intended for use with 12 cm (4.7 in.) discs
only.
 Extremely high temperature can keep your compact
disc player from working. On hot days, use air
conditioning to cool the vehicle interior before you
listen to a disc.
 Bumpy roads or other vibrations may make your
compact disc player skip.
 If moisture gets into your compact disc player, you
may not hear any sound even though your compact
disc player appears to be working. Remove the
magazine from the player and wait until it dries.
20e081
Your automatic changer cannot play special shaped
compact discs as shown. Do not use them as the
changer could be damaged.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
268
20L038

Correct
Wrong
Handle compact discs carefully, especially when you
set them into the magazine. Hold them on the edge
and do not bend them. Avoid getting fingerprints on
them, particularly on the shiny side.
 Dirt, scrapes, warping, pin holes, or other disc
damage could cause the player to skip or to repeat a
section of a track. (To see a pin hole, hold the disc up
to the light.)

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
269
20L039
To clean a compact disc: Wipe it with a soft, lint±free
cloth that has been dampened with water. Wipe in a
straight line from the center to the edge of the disc (not
in a circle). Do not use a conventional record cleaner or
anti±static device.

AIR CONDITIONING AND AUDIO
270
20L040
A new disc may have rough edges on its inner and
outer perimeter. Remove the rough edges by
pressing the side of a ball±point pen or pencil
against the inner and outer edges of the disc as
shown.
If you continue to play a disc with rough edges, flakes will
fall on to the signal side of the disc and cause sound
skipping or other problems.
CAUTION
Compact disc players use invisible laser beams which
could cause hazardous radiation exposure if directed
outside the unit. Be sure to operate the player correctly
as instructed.

SECTION 3 ± 1
271
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter271
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust caution 274
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 275
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch with steering lock 276
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking brake 279
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to start the engine 280
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 281
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 295
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronically modulated air suspension 301
. . . . . . . . . .
Traction control system 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle skid control system 307
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 313
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 319
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THREE±WAY CATALYTIC
CONVERTER

STARTING AND DRIVING
272
31L002a
Three±way catalytic converters are emission
control devices installed in the exhaust system.
It looks somewhat like a muffler, but its purpose is to
reduce pollutants in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible materials away from
the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
 Do not drive, idle or park your vehicle over anything
that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.

STARTING AND DRIVING
273
NOTICEA large amount of unburned gases flowing intothe three±way catalytic converter may cause it tooverheat and create a fire hazard. To prevent this
and other damage, observe the following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level;running out of fuel could cause the engine tomisfire, creating an excessive load on thethree±way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at idle speed formore than 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push±start or pull±start your vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle ismoving.
Keep your engine in good running order.Malfunctions in the engine electrical system,electronic ignition system/distributor ignitionsystem or fuel system could cause anextremely high three±way catalytic converter
temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to start or stallsfrequently, take your vehicle in for a check±upas soon as possible. Remember, your Lexusdealer knows your vehicle and its three±waycatalytic converter system best.

STARTING AND DRIVING
274
To ensure that the three±way catalytic
converter and the entire emission controlsystem operate properly, your vehicle mustreceive the periodic inspections required bythe Lexus Maintenance Schedule. Forscheduled maintenance information, refer tothe separate ºOwner's Manual Supplement/
Maintenance Scheduleº.ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
 Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains
carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or
out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this
a particularly dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do
so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating
or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.