emergency towing Lexus ES350 2012 Owner's Manual

163
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U
CAUTION
■To avoid operating the cruise control by mistake
Switch the cruise control off using the “ON-OFF” button when not in use.
■Situations unsuitable for cruise control
Do not use cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in loss of control and could cause an accident resulting in death
or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice or snow
●On steep hills
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●During emergency towing

174
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U
CAUTION
■Situations unsuitable for dynamic radar cruise control
Do not use dynamic radar cruise control in any of the following situations.
Doing so may result in inappropriate speed control and could cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●In heavy traffic
●On roads with sharp bends
●On winding roads
●On slippery roads, such as those covered with rain, ice and snow
●On steep downhills, or where there are sudden changes between sharp up and
down gradients
Vehicle speed may exceed the set speed when driving down a steep hill.
●At entrances to expressways
●When weather conditions are bad enough that they may prevent the sensors
from functioning correctly (fog, snow, sandstorm, heavy rain, etc.)
●When an approach warning buzzer is heard often
●During emergency towing
■When the sensor may not be correctly detecting the vehicle ahead
Apply the brakes as necessary when any of the following types of vehicles are in
front of you.
As the sensor may not be able to correctly detect these types of vehicles, the
approach warning (→P. 169) will not be activated, and a fatal or serious accident
may result.
●Vehicles that cut in suddenly
●Vehicles traveling at low speeds
●Vehicles that are not moving
●Vehicles with small rear ends (trailers with no load on board etc.)
●Motorcycles traveling in the same lane

354
3-7. Other interior features
ES350_U■
Stolen Vehicle Location
If your vehicle is stolen, Safety Connect can work with local authorities
to assist them in locating and recovering the vehicle. After filing a
police report, call the Safety Conne ct response center at 1-800-25-
LEXUS (1-800-255-3987) and follow the prompts for Safety Con-
nect to initiate this service.
In addition to assisting law enforcement with recovery of a stolen vehi-
cle, Safety-Connect-equipped vehicle location data may, under cer-
tain circumstances, be shared with third parties to locate your vehicle.
Further information is available at Lexus.com.
■ Emergency Assistance Button (“SOS”)
In the event of an emergency on the road, push the “SOS” button to
reach the Safety Connect response center. The answering agent will
determine your vehicle’s location, assess the emergency, and dispatch
the necessary assistance required.
If you accidentally press the “SOS” button, tell the response-center agent
that you are not experiencing an emergency.
■Enhanced Roadside Assistance
Enhanced Roadside Assistance adds GPS data to the already
included warranty-based Lexus roadside service.
Subscribers can press the “SOS” button to reach a Safety Connect
response-center agent, who can help with a wide range of needs, such
as: towing, flat tire, fuel delivery, etc. For a description of the Enhanced
Roadside Assistance services and their limitations, please see the
Safety Connect Terms and Conditions, which are available at
Lexus.com.

5
When trouble arises
431
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short
distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condi-
tion. Towing eyelet
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing se rvice, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle’s rear wheels and axles must be in good
condition. ( →P. 4 3 5 )
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

432
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U
Installing towing eyeletRemove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY (engine off)
or IGNITION ON mode (engine running).
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always be cautious of the
surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious da mage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1

5
When trouble arises
433
5-1. Essential information
ES350_UInsert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
STEP2
STEP3
■Location of the emergency towing eyelet
→
P. 4 6 1
CAUTION
■Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelet may come loose during towing. This may lead
to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.

5
When trouble arises
461
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack
Jack handle
Spare tireCompact spare tire
Wheel nut wrench
Towing eyelet

5
When trouble arises
483
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme
caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and do not rev the engine.
●If the vehicle remains stuck after trying these procedures, the vehicle may require
towing to be freed.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
●Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and put the shift lever in P.
● Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
● Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide trac-
tion under the tires.
● Restart the engine.
● Carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.

541
Alphabetical index
ES350_U
Daytime running light system............ 152
DefoggerRear window.......................................... 213
Side mirror .............................................. 213
Dimension ............................................... 486
Dinghy towing ....................................... 203
Display Dynamic radar cruise control ....... 164
Trip information .................................... 145
Warning message ............................ 449
Do-it-yourself maintenance............. 370
Door courtesy lights Door courtesy lights .......................... 312
Wattage ................................................. 495
Doors Door lock ................................28, 40, 42
Door windows ....................................... 70
Side mirrors............................................. 68
Driver's seat belt reminder light ...... 441
Driving Break-in tips ............................................. 121
Correct posture .................................... 86
Procedures ............................................. 120
Winter driving tips .............................. 196
Driving position memory ....................... 51 Electronic key
If the electronic key does not
operate properly ............................ 474
Emergency, in case of
If a warning message is displayed.............................................449
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............................ 474
If the engine will not start................470
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ................................... 472
If the vehicle battery is
discharged ......................................... 477
If the warning buzzer sounds ......439
If the warning light turns on...........439
If you have a flat tire .......................... 461
If you lose your keys ......................... 473
If you think something is
wrong ................................................... 437
If your vehicle becomes stuck .... 483
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ......... 484
If your vehicle needs to be towed..................................................... 431
If your vehicle overheats ............... 480DE

547
Alphabetical index
ES350_U
Tachometer ..............................................138
Tail lightsReplacing light bulbs ....................... 420
Switch ........................................................ 149
Wattage ................................................. 495
Talk switch*............................................. 284
Telephone switch* ............................... 284
Theft deterrent system
Alarm .......................................................... 83
Engine immobilizer system ............... 81
Tire inflation pressure......................... 399
Tire information Glossary ................................................504
Size ............................................................ 501
Tire identification number .............. 501
Uniform tire quality grading......... 502
Tires Chains .......................................................198
Checking ............................................... 390
If you have a flat tire............................ 461
Inflation pressure ............................... 399
Inflation pressure sensor.................. 391
Information............................................ 499
Replacing................................................. 461
Rotating tires ........................................390
Size ........................................................... 493
Snow tires..............................................200
Spare tire ................................................. 461
Tools ............................................................ 461
Total load capacity................................. 195 Towing
Dinghy towing .....................................203
Emergency towing............................. 431
Trailer towing .......................................202
TRAC.......................................................... 182
Traction control ...................................... 182
Trip meter ................................................. 138
Trunk Extending a space ............................ 335
Opener ...................................................... 46
Trunk light Trunk light ................................................. 47
Wattage ................................................. 495
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ........................420
Switch........................................................ 135
Wattage ................................................. 495T
*: For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.