towing LEXUS LS500 2018 Owner's Manual

412 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed If towing is ne cessary, we recom-
mend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or commercial
towing service, using a wheel-lift
type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all
towing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws. WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle 
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the driv etrain and related
parts may be damaged or an accident
may occur due to a change in direction
of the vehicle. 
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the driv etrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehicle may
fly off the truck.
■
While towing ●
When towing using cables or chains,
avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets,
cables or chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become dam-
aged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage.
●
Make sure to disable all functions of
the vehicle height control of the elec-
tronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change and part of your body may be
caught under the vehicle, possibly
causing injury. ( → P.293)
●
Do not turn the engine switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the
rear wheels will be locked by the park-
ing lock.
Also, there is a possibility that the
steering wheel is locked and cannot be
operated.

4137-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises
In the following situations, it is not pos-
sible to be towed by another vehicle
using cables or chains, as the rear
wheels may be locked due to the park-
ing lock. Contact your Lexus dealer or
commercial towing service.
 There is a malfunction in the shift control system. ( → P.163, 428)
 There is a malfunction in the engine
immobilizer system. ( → P.58)
 There is a malfunction in the smart
access system with push-button
start. ( → P.436)
 The battery is discharged.
( → P.438)
The following may indicate a problem
with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing
service before towing.
 The engine is running but the vehi-
cle does not move.
 The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.WARNING■
Installing towing eyelets to the vehi-
cle
Make sure that towing eyelets are
installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets
may come loose during towing.
NOTICE■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels
straight.●
When raising the vehicle, ensure ade-
quate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Without adequate clearance, the vehi-
cle could be damaged while being
towed.■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either
from the front or rear.
■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the
suspension components.
Situations when it is not possible
to be towed by another vehicle Situations when it is necessary to
contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck

414 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels. 
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
If your vehicle is transported by a flat-
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration. If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in
black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
Make sure to disable all functions of
the vehicle height control of the elec-
tronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change and the vehicle may be dam-
aged. ( → P.293)
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using cables or chains
secured to the emergency towing eye-
lets. This should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for short distances
at under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing

4157-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises wheels, drive train, axles, steering and
brakes must be in good condition.
To have your vehicle towed by another
vehicle, the towing eyelet must be
installed to your vehicle. Install the tow-
ing eyelet using the following proce-
dure.
1 Take out the phillips-head screw-
driver and towing eyelet.
Phillips-head screwdriver
Towing eyelet
2 Remove 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. 3 Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a phillips-head
screwdriver or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet. Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
6 Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the engine. If the engine does not start, turn the engine
switch to IGNITION ON mode.
7 Shift the shift position to N and
release the parking brake. ■
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.Emergency towing procedure
A
B

446 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 1 Stop the engine. Set the parking
brake and shift the shift position to
P.
2 Remove the mud, snow or sand
from around the rear wheels.
3 Place wood, stones or some other
material under the rear wheels to
help provide traction.
4 Restart the engine.
5 Shift the shift position to D or R and
release the parking brake. Then,
while exercising caution, depress
the accelerator pedal. ■
When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Press the switch to turn off TRAC.If the vehicle becomes stuck Carry out the following proce-
dures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Recovering procedure WARNING■
When attempting to free a stuck vehi-
cle
If you choose to push the vehicle back
and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striking
other vehicles, obje cts or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge
back suddenly as it becomes free. Use
extreme caution. ■
When shifting the shift position
Be careful not to shift the shift position
with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to un expected rapid accel-
eration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE■
To avoid damaging the transmission
and other components ●
Avoid spinning the rear wheels and
depressing the accelerator pedal
more than necessary. ●
If the vehicle remains stuck even after
these procedures are performed, the
vehicle may require towing to be freed.

498 Alphabetical Index
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Brightness control
Instrument panel light control ..........71, 75
BSM (Blind Spot Monitor).........................251 C
Card key ............................................................ 92
Care
Aluminum wheels ...................................... 362
Exterior ........................................................... 362
Interior .............................................................365
Seat belts........................................................365
Cargo capacity.............................................. 158
Cargo net ....................................................... 339
Center Display ............................................. 306
Chains ..............................................................300
Child restraint system
Fixed with a LATCH system .................. 53
Fixed with a seat belt................................... 49
Front passenger occupa nt classification
system ............................................................. 40
Points to remember .................................... 45
Riding with children ..................................... 45
Types of child restraint system installation
method ........................................................... 46
Using an anchor bracket .......................... 55
Child safety
Airbag precautions...................................... 34
Battery precautions ......................385, 442
Child restraint system................................. 46
Heated steering wheel and seat heater
precautions................................................ 326
How your child should wear the seat belt
............................................................................ 25
Moon roof precautions ............................143
Panoramic moon roof precautions .... 147
Power window lock switch.......................141
Power window precautions .................. 140
Rear door child-protectors ..................... 99
Removed electronic key battery precau-
tions ...............................................................404
Seat belt extender precautions ............. 25
Seat belt precautions .................................. 45 Trunk precautions.......................................100
Child-protectors............................................. 99
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels ......................................362
Exterior............................................................362
Interior ............................................................ 365
Radar sensor .............................. 190, 191, 197
Seat belts ....................................................... 365
Clock ................................................ 69, 72, 344
Clock light ...................................................... 330
Coat hooks..................................................... 343
Coin holder .................................................... 336
Condenser ..................................................... 382
Console box .................................................. 337
Consumption screen .................................... 87
Cooling system.............................................. 381
Engine overheating................................... 443
Cornering lights ............................................. 177
Cruise control
Dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range ........................... 238, 241
Cup holders ................................................... 336
Current fuel consumption .......................... 78
Curtain shield airbags .................................. 29
Customizable features .............................. 468
D
Daytime running light system ................... 175
Defogger
Outside rear view mirrors.......................314
Rear window ..................................................314
Windshield ......................................................314
Differential
Front differential oi l............. .............. .........452
Rear differential oil......... .......... ........... .......453
Dimension ...................................................... 448
Dinghy towing.................................................159
Display
Center Display ........................................... 306
Dynamic radar cruise control with
full-speed range ........................................241
Head-up display............................................83

508 Alphabetical Index
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Installing tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters ...................................... 392
Registering ID codes ............................... 394
Warning light ............................................... 422
Tires
Chains ............................................................ 300
Checking .......................................................386
If you have a flat tire .................................. 432
Inflation pressure........................................399
Information ....................................................459
Replacing .......................................................396
Rotating tires ............................................... 388
Run-flat tires .................................... 388, 432
Size.................................................................... 454
Snow tires ...................................................... 299
Tire inflation pressu re display function
........................................................................ 388
Tire pressure warning system ............ 388
Warning light ............................................... 422
Top tether strap............................................... 55
Total load capacity ...................................... 448
Towing
Dinghy towing .............................................. 159
Emergency towing ..................................... 412
Towing eyelet ................................................415
Trailer towing ................................................ 159
TRAC (Traction Control) ........................ 294
Traction Control (TRAC) ........................ 294
Trailer towing ..................................................159
Transmission
Automatic transmission ............................163
Driving mode select switch ..................289
M mode ........................................................... 168
Paddle shift switches ....................... 167, 168
Snow mode .................................................... 167
Trip meters ................................................ 70, 75
Trunk .................................................................. 100
Hands Free Power Trunk Lid .............. 103
Internal trunk release lever .................... 105
Power trunk opener and closer ...........102
Smart access system with push-button
start ................................................................. 103 Trunk closer switch .................................... 104
Trunk easy closer........................................ 104
Trunk features ..............................................339
Trunk grip ....................................................... 104
Trunk lid light................................................. 104
Trunk light ....................................................... 104
Trunk opener main switch...................... 106
Trunk opener switch ................................. 102
Wireless remote control ......................... 103
Trunk lid light .................................................. 104
Trunk light ........................................................ 104
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ............................... 408
Turn signal lever .......................................... 169
U
USB charging ports.................................... 342
V
Vanity lights.................................................... 345
Vanity mirrors ............................................... 345
Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS)294
VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Man-
agement)...................................................... 295
Vehicle data recordings ..................................6
Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Manage-
ment (VDIM).............................................. 295
Vehicle identification number ................ 448
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) ........... 294
Vehicle sway warning display ................... 80
Ventilators (seat ventilators)................... 326
VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)294
VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) ........... 294
W
Warning buzzers
ABS ...................................................................420
Airbags............................................................. 419
Approach warning.................................... 247
Brake hold .....................................................425