tow Lexus GS350 2007 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2007 GS430/350 (OM30A04U) Owner's Guide

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4
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition ( P. 3 8 7)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 3 8 6 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake
fluid)
Engine coolant level 
(P. 3 8 4 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene gly-
col based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
For Canada: 
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant and
45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool-
ant)

370
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury.
■When working on the engine compartment:
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, inverter, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily , such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Engine oil level ( P. 3 7 9 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used
only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 4 1 3 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
Headlight aim ( P. 4 3 5 )• Phillips-head screwdriver
Radiator and condenser (P. 3 8 5 )
Tire inflation pressure (P. 4 0 1 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d ( P. 3 9 0 )
• Water washer fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter use)
•Funnel

When trouble arises5
437
5-1. Essential information ........... 438If your vehicle needs to be 
towed.......................................... 438
If you think something is 
wrong .......................................... 445
Fuel pump shut off system ..... 446
Event data recorder ................. 447 5-2. Steps to take in an

emergency............................ 449
If a warning light turns on or a 
warning buzzer sounds............ 449
If a warning message is 
displayed.................................... 455
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles 
with run-flat tires) .................... 472
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles 
with standard tires) ................. 473
If the engine will not start ....... 483
If the shift lever cannot be 
shifted from P........................... 484
If you lose your keys ................. 485
If the electronic key does 
not operate properly ............ 486
If the vehicle battery is  discharged ............................... 488
If your vehicle overheats ........ 492
If the vehicle becomes  stuck ............................................ 495

438
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towing
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the v
ehicle will not move.
● The v
ehicle 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 ch ain secur
ed 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 oper
ate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and br
akes must be in good condi -
tion.
If towing is necessary, we recommen d having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.

Use a safety chain system for all towing , a
nd abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
The wheels and axle on the ground must be in good condition. 
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly
or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
439
5-1. Essential information
Towing eyelet
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
The engine switch must be in the “ACC” mode (engine off) or the “IG-
ON” mode (engine on).
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 eyelet and the cable or chain.
●If the engine is not running, the power assi st 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 front with the rear wheels on the ground. 
This may cause serious dama ge to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

440
5-1. Essential information
Installing towing eyelet
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.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
secur
ely using a wheel nut wrench.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
■Location of the emergency towing eyelet
P.
4 7 3

5
When trouble arises
441
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
CAUTION
■Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelet ma y come loose during towing. This may lead
to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front or rear.

442
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a wheel lift-type truck
From frontUse a towing dolly under the rear
wheels.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.

5
When trouble arises
443
5-1. Essential information
From rear (2WD models)Switch to “ACC” mode so that the
steering wheel is unlock
ed.
From rear (4WD models)
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheel.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle
●Do not tow the vehicle with the engine switch “OFF”. 
The steering lock mechanism is not st rong enough to hold the front wheel
straight.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the
opposite end of the raised vehicle. Wi thout adequate clearance, the vehicle
could be damaged while being towed.

5
When trouble arises
473
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles with standard tires)
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the v
ehicle on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking br
ake.
● Shif
t the shift lever to “P”.
●Stop the engine.
● T
urn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spar
e tire, jack and tools
Wheel nut wrench Jack
Jack handle
Spare tireTi g h t e n
Loosen
Tools
Towing eyelet