replace lexus LS400 1999 Electrical Components / LEXUS 1999 LS400 (OM50514U) Owner's Guide

MAINTENANCE
379
MAINTENANCE
REQUIREMENTS
Your Lexus vehicle has been designed to have fewer
maintenance requirements with longer service intervals
to save both your time and money. However, each
regular maintenance as well as day±to±day care is more
important than ever before to ensure smooth,
trouble±free, safe, and economical driving.
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance, including general maintenance services,
is performed. Note that both the new vehicle and
emission control system warranties specify that proper
maintenance and care must be performed. See the
Owner's Guide, Owner's Manual Supplement or
Warranty Booklet for complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those day±to±day care
practices that are important to your vehicle for proper
operation. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that
the general maintenance items are performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done either by
yourself or your Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the ºOwner's
Manual Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº are those
required to be serviced at regular intervals.
For details of your maintenance schedule, read the
separate ºOwner's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº.
It is recommended that any replacement parts used
for maintenance or for the repair of the emission
control system be Lexus supplied.
The owner may elect to use non±Lexus supplied
parts for replacement purposes without invalidating
the emission control system warranty. However,
use of replacement parts which are not of equivalent
quality may impair the effectiveness of the emission
control systems.
You may also elect to have maintenance,
replacement, or repair of the emission control
devices and system performed by any automotive
repair establishment or individual without
invalidating this warranty. See Owner's Guide,
Owner's Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet
for complete warranty information.
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are well±trained specialists and are
kept up to date with the latest service information

INTRODUCTION
393
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Non±maintenance batteries
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteries Parts (if level is low):


Distilled water
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)

Coin (for vent plugs)

Funnel (only for adding distilled water)
Checking and replacing the blade type
fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Checking the cartridge type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same
amperage rating as original

CHASSIS
417
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
63L001a
To check the fluid level, simply look at the
see±through reservoir. The level should be between
the ºMAXº and ºMINº lines on the tank.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as
the brake pads wear. So be sure to keep the reservoir
filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a
serious mechanical problem.
If the level is low, add FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid to the brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cover by hand. Add
brake fluid up to the ºMAXº line.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once opened, brake
fluid absorbs moisture from the air, and excess moisture
can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency.

CHASSIS
425
CHECKING AND REPLACINGTIRES
When to replace your tires
63L006-2

CHASSIS
426

1New tread 2Tread wear indicator
3Worn tread
Replace the tires when the tread wear indicators
show. The location of the tread wear indicators is
shown by the ºTWIº or º
Dº marks molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
The tires on your Lexus have built±in tread wear
indicators to help you know when the tires need
replacement. When the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm
(0.06 in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If you can
see the indicators in two or more adjacent grooves, the
tire should be replaced.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread
wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.). If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks
deep enough to expose the fabric, or bulges
indicating internal damage, the tire should be
replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due
to the size or location of a cut or other damage, it should
be replaced. If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer.
If an air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving
with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can
damage a tire beyond repair.
Any tires which are over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician even if damage is
not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or
seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires stored for
future use.

CHASSIS
428Warning: 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.
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.

CHASSIS
431
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks
or heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, a tire may slip off
a wheel or they may cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as
they may have been subjected to rough treatment or
high mileage and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened may have hidden
structural damage and therefore should not be used.
Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is
designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to
ensure that they are equivalent to those removed in
load capacity, diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus
dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect
handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability,
headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or snow chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
 After driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000
miles), check that the wheel nuts are tight.
 If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires,
check that the wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).
 When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the
aluminum wheels.
 Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed
for your aluminum wheels.
 When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus
balance weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber
hammer.
 As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum
wheels for damage. If damaged, replace
immediately.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
458

1Good 2Melted
If the headlights or other electrical components do
not work and the blade type fuses are O.K., check
the cartridge type fuses. If any of the cartridge type
fuses are blown, they must be replaced.
If there is an overload in the circuits from the battery, the
fuses are designed to blow before the entire wiring
harness is damaged.
NOTICE
Before replacing the fuses, have the cause of
electrical overload determined and repaired byyour Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Always use a genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent for
replacement. Never install an ordinary wire±even for a
temporary fix. This may cause extensive damage and
possibly a fire.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
462
64L076a
2. Turn the vertical movement adjusting bolt 2 the same
number of turns and in the same direction at step 1.REPLACING LIGHT BULBS
The illustration on the following pages show the
locations of light bulbs. If it is necessary to replace a
bulb, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible. Use bulbs with the bulb numbers and wattage
ratings given in the table.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
463
CAUTION
Do not disassemble, repair or take apart the low beam
headlight bulbs, connector, power supply circuits
and rotated components. Or you may be injured by
electric shocks. Call your dealer when the headlights
fail to work or have to be replaced or disposed of.
 Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
require special handling. They can burst or shatter if
scratched or dropped. Hold a bulb only by its plastic
or metal case. Do not touch the glass part of a bulb
with bare hands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
LIGHT LOCATION
64L022-5