brake Lexus ES350 2012 Workshop Manual

5
When trouble arises
437
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

5
When trouble arises
439
ES350_U
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
→ P. 4 5 2
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(USA)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
Indicates the following;
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake booster system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn on or
flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system.

5
When trouble arises
441
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
Follow the correction procedure.After taking the specified steps to co rrect the suspected problem, check
that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(USA)
(Canada)
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
(If equipped)
Pre-collision system warning lightIndicates a malfunction in the pre-collision system.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer
*1)
Indicates that a door or the
trunk is not fully closed.Check that all doors and the
trunk are closed.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates remaining fuel level
is low.
(Approximately 2.8 gal.
[10.5 L, 2.3 Imp. gal.] or less)
Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s seat belt reminder
light (warning buzzer
*2)
Warns the driver to fasten his
or her seat belt.Fasten the seat belt.

446
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, have
it checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features →P. 5 1 1 )
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus
dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

5
When trouble arises
453
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
Indicates that the trunk is
not fully closed. flashes and a
buzzer sounds to indi-
cate that trunk is not fully
closed (with the vehicle
having reached a speed
of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Close the trunk.
(Flashing)
Indicates that the moon
roof is not fully closed
(with the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
OFF and the driver’s
door opened). A buzzer also sounds.
Close the moon roof.
(Flashing)
Indicates that the parking
brake is still engaged
(with the vehicle having
reached a speed of more
than 3 mph [5 km/h]).A buzzer also sounds.
Release the parking
brake.
Indicates that the washer
fluid level is low.A buzzer also sounds.
Add washer fluid.

456
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U*: Refer to the separate “Scheduled maintenance” or “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” for the maintenance interval applicable to your vehicle.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashing and then con-
tinuously on)
(Flashing)
(If equipped)
Indicates that the radar
cruise control system is
unable to judge vehicle-
to-vehicle distance
because the windshield
wipers are set at high
speed operation mode. A buzzer also sounds.
Turn them off or set them
to either the intermittent
or the slow mode.
(Flashing)
(If equipped)
Indicates that your vehi-
cle is nearing the vehicle
ahead (in radar cruise
mode). A buzzer also sounds.
Slow the vehicle by apply-
ing the brakes.
Indicates one or more
stop lights are burned
out.Have the defective bulbs
replaced by your Lexus
dealer.

460
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U*: If the engine does not start when the electronic key is inside the vehicle,
the electronic key battery may be de pleted or there may be difficulties
receiving the signal from the key. ( →P. 32)
Interior
buzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection
procedure
Once
Indicates that a
door has been
opened or closed
and the “ENGINE
START STOP”
switch has been
switched twice to
ACCESSORY
mode from OFF.
Press the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch
while applying the
brakes.

(Comes on for 15 seconds.)
(Flashing)
Indicates that the
steering lock has
not released.
Press the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch
again while turn-
ing the steering
wheel with the
brake pedal
depressed.
OnceIndicates that the
electronic key
does not operate
properly.
→ P. 4 7 5


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
469
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
CAUTION
■When the compact spare tire attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly detected, and the following systems may
not operate correctly:
●ABS & Brake assist
●VSC
●TRAC
●Navigation system (if equipped)
NOTICE
■Do not drive the vehicle with a flat tire.
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the wheel
beyond repair.
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact your Lexus
dealer or other qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to replace the
tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. (→P. 3 9 1 )
■Be careful when driving over bumps with the compact spare tire installed on the
vehicle.
The vehicle becomes lower when driving with the compact spare tire compared to
when driving with standard tires. Be careful when driving over uneven road sur-
faces.
■Driving with tire chains and the compact spare tire
Do not fit tire chains to the compact spare tire.
Tire chains may damage the vehicle body and adversely affect driving performance.

5
When trouble arises
471
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
Emergency start functionWhen the engine does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the engine if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
is functioning normally. Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to the ACCESSORY
mode.
Push and hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch about 15 sec-
onds while depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be started using the above steps, the system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
■ The starter motor does not turn ov er, the interior lights and head-
lights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
● One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( →P. 4 7 7 )
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system.
Contact your Lexus dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4