lock lexus LS400 2000 Engine / LEXUS 2000 LS400 (OM50533U) Manual PDF

STARTING AND DRIVING
323
The anti±lock brake system becomes operative after the
vehicle has accelerated to a speed in excess of
approximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when
the vehicle decelerates to a speed below approximately
5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery road surfaces
such as on the manhole cover, the steel plate under the
construction, joints in the bridge, etc. on a rainy day
tends to activate the anti±lock brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in the engine
compartment for a few seconds when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle is started. This means
that the anti±lock brake system is in the self±check
mode, and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the anti±lock brake system is activated, the
following conditions may occur, however, do not
indicate a malfunction of the system:

You may hear the anti±lock brake system operating
and feel the brake pedal pulsating and the vibrations
of the vehicle body and steering wheel. You may also
hear the motor sound in the engine compartment
even after the vehicle is stopped.
 At the end of the anti±lock brake system activation,
the brake pedal may move a little to the forward.

STARTING AND DRIVING
324
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti±lock brake system:
Although the anti±lock brake system assists in
providing vehicle control, it is still important to drive
with all due care and maintain a moderate speed and
safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, because
there are limits to the vehicle stability and effectiveness
of steering wheel operation even with the anti±lock
brake system on.
If tires grip performance exceeds its capability, or if
hydroplaning occurs during high speed driving in the
rain, the anti±lock brake system does not provide
vehicle control.

STARTING AND DRIVING
325
Anti±lock brake system is not designed to shorten the
stopping distance: Always drive at the moderate speed
and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Compared with vehicles not fitted with an
anti±lock brake system, your vehicle may require a
longer stopping distance in the following cases:
 Driving on rough, gravel or snow±covered roads.
 Driving with tire chains installed.
 Driving over the steps such as the joints on the road.
 Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or
has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at designated
pressure: The anti±lock brake system detects vehicle
speeds using the speed sensors for respective wheels'
turning speeds. The use of tires other than specified
may fail to detect the accurate turning speed, resulting
in a longer stopping distance.

STARTING AND DRIVING
326ºABSº warning light
31L019±2
The light comes on with the ignition key turned to ªONº.
If the anti±lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light goes out after a few
seconds. Thereafter, if either of the systems
malfunctions, the light comes on.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system,
the brake assist system, the traction control system
and/or the vehicle skid control system do/does not
operate, but the brake system still operates
conventionally.
When the ªABSº warning light is on (and the brake
system warning light is off), the anti±lock brake system
does
not operate so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery road surfaces. If the following conditions occur, this indicates a
malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on with the ignition key
turned to ªONº, or remains on.
 The light comes on while driving.
If the light lit during driving goes out and does not come
on again, it is a normal operation.

DRIVING TIPS
332
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.
 Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.

DRIVING TIPS
334See page 416 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a
heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months
may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer ± they will be
pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep
them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most
auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions
for how much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other
substitute because it may damage your vehicle'spaint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a
possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ºPº and block
the front wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow
or water accumulated in and around the parking brake
mechanism may freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the
fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make
steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and
check under the fenders occasionally.

DRIVING TIPS
343

Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns. The trailer could
hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before
making a turn to avoid the need of sudden braking.
 Remember that when making a turn, the trailer
wheels will be closer than the vehicle wheels to the
inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by
making a larger than normal turning radius with your
vehicle.
 Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect
handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway.
Pay attention to the rear from time to time to prepare
yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses,
which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If
swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and
reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never
increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed,
brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you make no
extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your
vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
 Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing
requires considerable distance. After passing a
vehicle, do not forget the l ength of your trailer and be
sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
 In order to maintain efficient engine braking and
electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive. Transmission must be in the º4º position. 
Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's
engine may overheat on hot days (at temperatures
over 30C [85F]) when going up a long or steep
grade with a trailer. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the
air conditioning (if in use), pull your vehicle off the
road and stop in a safe spot. See ºIf your vehicle
overheatsº on page 356 of this manual.
 Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle
and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking
brake firmly. Put the transmission in ºPº. Avoid
parking on a slope with a trailer, but if it cannot be
avoided, do so only after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release your
brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into ºPº and turn off the engine.

DRIVING TIPS
344When restarting out after parking on a slope:
1. With
the transmission in ºPº position, start the engine.
Be sure to keep the brake pedal depressed.
2. Shift into the º3º, º2º, ºLº or ºRº position.
3. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and
slowly pull or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop
and apply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
 Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicle±trailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
 Slow down and downshift before descending steep
or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden
downshifts.
 Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking efficiency.

SECTION 4
349
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving350
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 351
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 356
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 358
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 375
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 384
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 386
. . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
359
from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
NOTICE
For vehicles equipped with the height control
switch, be sure to turn the ignition switch offbefore jacking. If this is not done, the vehicleheight adjustment function will operate, whichmay cause body damage.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:
 Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not put any part of your body under a
vehicle supported by a jack. Personal injury
may occur.
Do not start or run the engine while your
vehicle is supported by the jack.
 Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly
set the parking brake and put the transmission
in ºPº. Block the wheel diagonally opposite to
the one being changed if necessary.
 Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack
point. Raising the vehicle with jack improperly
positioned will damage the vehicle or may
allow the vehicle to fall off the jack and cause
personal injury.
 Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
 Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during
wheel changing.
 Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the
vehicle.
 When raising the vehicle, do not put an object
on or under the jack.
 Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove
and change the tire.
NOTICE