octane lexus LS400 1999 Electrical Components / LEXUS 1999 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50514U)

DRIVING TIPS
323
BREAK±IN PERIOD
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
You need not follow a break±in schedule with your new
Lexus. But following a few simple tips for the first 1600
km (1000 miles) can add to the future economy and long
life of your vehicle:
Do not drive over 88 km/h (55 mph).
 Avoid overrevving. Maintain engine speed between
2000 and 4000 rpm.
 Avoid full±throttle starts.
 Try to avoid hard stops during the first 300 km (200
miles).
 Do not drive for a long time at any single speed, either
fast or slow.
 Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 miles).
OPERATION IN FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
If you plan to drive your Lexus in another country ...
First, comply with the vehicle registration laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the correct fuel
(unleaded and minimum octane rating).
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will
allow you much better control.
 Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right
angle. Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects
and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to
severe tire damage resulting in tire bursts.
 When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they
touch the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply
the parking brake, and place the transmission in ºPº.
If necessary, block the wheels.
 Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water
may get the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet,
check that there is no traffic near you and then press
the pedal lightly. If you do not feel a normal braking
force, the brakes are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly pressing the brake
pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still do
not work safely, pull to the side of the road and call a
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
 Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.

ENGINE
398± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
10.8 L (11.4 qt., 10.4 lmp.qt.)
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water
alone.
± FUELFuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)

ENGINE
400
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a
smaller fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps
with unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger nozzle on
pumps with leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three±way catalyticconverter to lose its effectiveness and theemission control system to function improperly.Also, this can increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane
Rating of 91 (R esearch Octane Number 96) or higher
for optimum engine performance. However, if such
premium type cannot be obtained, you may
temporarily use unleaded gasoline with an Octane
Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane Number 91). Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating
lower than stated above will cause persistent heavy
knocking. If severe, this will lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended
fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your
Lexus dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking
for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This
is no cause for concern.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends use of gasolines that contain
detergent additives to avoid build±up of engine
deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local
gasoline retailer.

ENGINE
401
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 T ertiary±Butyl
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.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing
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.