emergency towing Lexus ES350 2008 Owner's Manual

352
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
5-1. Essential information
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 attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short dis-
tances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steer ing 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. 3 5 6 )
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
353
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Installing towing eyeletRemove the eyelet cover using a
flat head 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 mode (engine
off) or IGNITION ON mode (engine running) position.
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.
●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 damage 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

354
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)Insert 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. 3 8 4
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.

384
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
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
Wr e n c h
Towing eyelet

5
When trouble arises
405
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
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.

451
Alphabetical index
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Tire informationGlossary ................................................ 426
Size ........................................................... 423
Tire identification number ............. 423
Uniform tire quality grading..........424
Tires
Chains ....................................................... 169
Checking ................................................. 316
If you have a flat tire.......................... 384
Inflation pressure ............................... 324
Inflation pressure sensor.................. 317
Information.............................................. 421
Replacing............................................... 384
Rotating tires .......................................... 316
Size ............................................................. 415
Snow tires.................................................. 171
Spare tire ............................................... 384
Tools .......................................................... 384
Total load capacity................................. 166
Towing
Dinghy towing...................................... 180
Emergency towing ........................... 352
Trailer towing......................................... 173
TRAC .......................................................... 157
Traction control ...................................... 157
Trip meter.................................................. 122
Trunk Extending a space ............................ 268
Opener........................................................ 41
Trunk light
Trunk light ................................................. 42
Wattage ................................................... 417 Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ........................343
Switch........................................................ 120
Wattage ....................................................417
Vanity lights Vanity lights ......................................... 258
Wattage ....................................................417
Vanity mirrors ........................................258
Vehicle identification number .........409
Vehicle stability control....................... 157
Ventilators ............................................... 263
VSC............................................................. 157
Warning buzzers Brake system........................................362
Downshifting ........................................... 119
Open door ...........................................364
Seat belt reminder .............................364
Warning lights
Anti-lock brake system ...................363
Brake assist system ...........................363
Brake system........................................362
Charging system................................363
Low fuel level .......................................364
Low tire pressure warning light ........................................................364
Malfunction indicator lamp ...........363
Master warning light.........................364
Open door ............................................364
Pre-collision system..........................363
Pretensioners .......................................363
Rear light failure warning light .....364
Seat belt reminder light...................364
SRS airbags...........................................363
V
W
*: Refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.