emergency towing Lexus GX470 2006 Repair Manual Information / LEXUS 2006 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60B99U)

DRIVING TIPS
405
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into “P” 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.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
DINGHY TOWING
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
447
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following
precautions to prevent damage to the transmission and
other parts.
 Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting
the selector lever or before the transmission is
completely shifted to forward or reverse gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the
wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle
several times, consider other ways such as towing.
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE
TOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
In consultation with them, have your vehicle towed using
either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a
Lexus dealer or commercial tow truck service, tow your
vehicle carefully in accordance with the instructions
given in “(d) Emergency towing” on page 451.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not
damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are
generally aware of the state/provincial and local laws
pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly. Although
most operators know the correct procedure, it is possible to
make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure
the following precautions are observed. If necessary, show
this page to the tow truck driver.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
448TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the
state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the
ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use
a towing dolly.
CAUTION
When
your vehicle is towed, put the vehicle height in the
“N” (normal) mode and push the “HEIGHT CONTROL
OFF” switch to turn off the rear height control air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle height may be
changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting in
accident. For details, see “Rear height control air
suspension” on page 366.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
 From front
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission
from the front with rear wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the transmission.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
449

From rear
Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission
from the rear with front wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the transmission.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
Tie down points

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
451
(c) Towing with a sling type truck
NOTICE
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front
or rear. This may cause body damage.
(d) Emergency towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing eyelet. Use extreme
caution when towing the vehicle.
NOTICE
 Only use specified towing eyelet; otherwise your
vehicle may be damaged.
 Never tow a vehicle from the rear with four wheels on
the ground. This may cause serious damage to the
transmission.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
452A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hard
−surfaced
roads for a short distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels,
axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good
condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid
sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet
and towing cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable
or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use
in towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain
to the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, check that the center differential is unlocked.
(The indicator light must be off with the ignition on.) Release
the parking brake and put the transmission in “N”. The ignition
key must be in “ACC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
Emergency towing hook precautions:
 Before emergency towing, check that the eyelet is not
broken or damaged and that the installation bolts are not
loose.
 Fasten the towing cable or chain securely to the hook.
 Do not jerk the eyelet. Apply steady and even force.
 To avoid damaging the eyelet, do not pull from the side or at
a vertical angle. Always pull straight ahead.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
453
CAUTION
If the emergency towing eyelet is used to get out when
your vehicle becomes stuck in the mud, sand or other
condition from which the vehicle cannot be driven out
under its own power, make sure to observe the
precautions mentioned below. Otherwise, excessive
stress will be put on the eyelet and the towing cable or
chain may break, causing serious injury or damage.
If the towing vehicle can hardly move, do not forcibly
continue the towing. Contact your Lexus dealer or a
commercial tow truck service for assistance.
 Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible.
 Keep away from the vehicle during towing.
Tips for towing a stuck vehicle:
The following methods are effective to use when your
vehicle is stuck in the mud, sand or other condition from
which the vehicle cannot be driven out under its own
power. Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. In
addition, keep away from the vehicles and towing cable or
chain when towing.
 Remove the sand and soil in the front and the back of the
tires.
 Place stones or wood under the tires.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position to
other positions even tho ugh the brake pedal is depressed,
use the shift lock override button as follows:
1Turn the ignition key to “LOCK”. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2Pry up the cover with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent.