Lexus ES300 1994 In Case Of An Emergency

SECTION 4
131
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start132 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift the automatic transmission selector lever143 . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
132
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS
WHILE DRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving....
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see “If your vehicle will not start”.
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.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT
START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in “How to start the
engine” on page 107 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly −
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You can try jump starting. See “(c)
Jump starting” for further instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
“Foreword”.)
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not
start −
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking.
See “(b) Starting a flooded engine” for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer
Service Assistance. (See “Foreword”.)
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the ignition key to “START” with the
accelerator pedal held down. Continue this operation for 15
seconds and then stop cranking. Then try starting the engine
with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking,
release the ignition key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call
a Lexus dealer. Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See “Foreword”).

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
133
NOTICE:
Do not crank for more than 15 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your
vehicle which might result from battery explosion, acid
burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic
components, these instructions must be followed
precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service Assistance,
(See “Foreword”.)
CAUTION:

Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous and
corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when jump
starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin, clothing,
or vehicle. If you should accidentally get acid on
yourself or in your eyes, remove any contaminated
clothing and flush the affected area with water for at
least 15 minutes. Then get immediate medical
attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a
sponge or cloth while traveling to the medical office.

The gas normally produced by a battery will explode if
a flame or spark is brought near. Therefore, do not
smoke or light a match while jump starting.
NOTICE:
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not jump
start unless you are sure that the booster battery is the
correct voltage.
Engine hanging
hook (ground)Positive terminal
(“+” mark)
Discharged battery
Jumper cables
Positive terminal
(“+” mark)Booster battery
Negative terminal
(“−” mark)Connect cables in the numerical order shown
Disconnect in reverse order after use.
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
1342. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery.
(This helps reduce the explosion hazard.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for a few minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order shown in the
illustration: positive terminal (“+” mark)-to-positive terminal
(“+” mark), and negative terminal (“−” mark)-to-engine or body
ground. Note that you first connect the positive cable to the
discharged battery and then to the booster battery. Next,
connect the negative cable to the booster battery and then to
a solid, stationary, metallic point (e.g. engine hanging hook)
away from the battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that
moves when the engine is cranked.
NOTICE:
When making the connections, do not lean over the
battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or clamps
touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start you, engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at
about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order:
the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the batten, cover cloth which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you
hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has
probably overheated. You should follow this procedure ...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in “P” and apply the
parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir,
stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening
the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the
engine running and make sure the engine cooling fan is
operating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.
CAUTION:
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of
very high pressure.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
135 3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses, and
under the vehicle. However, note that water draining from the
air conditioning is normal if it has been in use.
CAUTION:
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belts.
4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the engine immediately. Call
a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See “Foreword”.)
5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If
it is dry, add water to the reservoir while the engine is running.
Fill it about half full.
CAUTION:
Do not attempt to remove engine coolant filler cap when
the engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result
from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under
pressure.
6. After the engine coolant temperature has cooled to normal,
again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If necessary,
bring it up to half full again. Serious coolant loss indicates a
leak in the system. You should have it checked as soon as
possible by your Lexus dealer.
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place-well away from the traffic.
Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway. Park on a
level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in “P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from
traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION:
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to reduce
the possibility of personal injury:

Follow jacking instructions.

Use a jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.

Never get beneath the vehicle when supported by a
jack.

Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by a jack.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
136
Spare tire
Jack
Jack handleTool bag
1. Get the tool bag, jack and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize
yourself with the use of the jack, each of the tools and their
storage locations.
2. Remove the cover.
Expand
(To store)
Contract
(To remove)Joint
When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand in the
CONTRACT direction until the jack is free. When storing, turn
the joint by hand in the EXPAND direction until the jack is firmly
secured to prevent it from flying forward during a collision or
sudden braking.
To remove the spare tire;
1. Loosen the bolt and remove it.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the outer side of the
wheel facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the spare
tire cover to prevent the tire from flying forward during a
collision or sudden braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
137
Flat tire
Wheel block
3. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep
the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block in front of the
front wheels or behind the rear wheels.
4. Loosen all the wheel nuts.Always loosen the wheel nuts before raising the vehicle.
Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen. To get maximum
leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle is on the
right side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the end of
the handle and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the
wrench does not slip off the nut.
Do not remove the nuts yet-just unscrew them about one-half
turn.
5. Position the jack at the jack points shown.
Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid surface.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
138
6. After making sure no one is in the vehicle, raise it high
enough so that the spare tire can be installed.
Allow for the fact that you need more ground clearance when
putting on the spare tire than when removing the flat tire.
To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is a
loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the vehicle
and begins to lift, double-check that it is properly positioned.
CAUTION:
Never get under the vehicle when it is supported by the
jack alone.7. Remove the wheel nuts and remove the flat tire.
Lift the flat tire straight off and nut it aside.
Before putting on the spare wheel, remove any corrosion on
the mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of
wheels without good metal-to-metal contact at the mounting
surface can cause wheel nuts to loosen and eventually cause
a wheel to come off while driving.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
139
8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger tight.
Align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up the wheel
and get at least the top bolt started through its hole. Wiggle the
tire and press it back over the other bolts.
Reinstall the wheel nuts and tighten them as much as you can
by hand. Press the tire back and see if you can tighten them
more.
Tighten
Tightening torque:
103 N.m
(10.5 kgf-m,76 ft-lb.)
9. Lower the vehicle completely and tighten the wheel
nuts.
Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.
Use only the wheel nut wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use
other tools or any additional leverage other than your hands,
such as a hammer, pipe or your foot. Make sure the wrench is
securely engaged over the nut.
Tighten each nut a little at a time in the order shown. Repeat
the process until all the nuts are tight.
CAUTION:
As soon as possible after changing wheels, have the
wheel nuts tightened by torque wrench at 103 N
.m (10.5
kgf.m, 76 ft.lb.).

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
14010. After changing the wheel, check the air pressure of the
replaced tire. Stow all the tools, jack and flat tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to the
nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and moisture
could get into the valve core and possible cause air leakage.
If the cap is missing, put a new one on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your tires.
CAUTION:
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire are
securely in place in their storage location to reduce the
possibility of personal injury during a collision or sudden
braking.
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS
TO BE TOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you have it done by
your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
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 few precautions are observed. If necessary, show
this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING 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.
1. Using flat bed truck
Lexus recommends this as the best method for your vehicle.