engine overheat Lexus GS430 2006 Scheduled Maintenance Guide / LEXUS 2006 GS430/GS300 FROM JAN. 2006 PROD. (OM30786U) User Guide

DRIVING TIPS
461

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.

SECTION 4
467
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
In case of an emergency
If your engine stalls while driving468
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 468
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot increase engine speed 473
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle overheats 473
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with run −flat tires) 474
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with standard tires) 476
. . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle becomes stuck 487
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If your vehicle needs to be towed 488
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 496
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 497
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
469
NOTICE
Do not pull or pushstart the vehicle. It may damage
the vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts.
Also the threeway catalytic converter may overheat
and become a fire hazard.
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, push the engine switch while the brake pedal
is depressed with your left foot and the accelerator pedal is
depressed with your right foot. Then the cranking hold function
stops automatically, and you can try starting the engine with
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start, 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”.)
(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 immediately. Then
get immediate medical attention. If possible,
continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
en route to the medical office.
 The gas normally produced by a battery will explode
if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
473
IF YOU CANNOT INCREASEENGINE SPEED
If engine speed does not increase when the accelerator
pedal is depressed, there may be a problem somewhere
in the electronic throttle control system. Move the vehicle
to a safe place by means of creeping and call a Lexus
dealer for assistance:
1. Depress the brake pedal and shift to the “D” position.
2. Gradually release the brake pedal, and the vehicle starts to
move by creeping. After arriving at a safe place, stop the
vehicle and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
 The above method of moving the vehicle is for
emergency. Use it only for moving minimum
distances to a safe place.
 Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
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.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ”P” and apply the
parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign
of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been seriously
damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of
very high pressure.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
474B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning.
Check the following.

Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the
acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus
dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your
vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible
by your Lexus dealer.
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
(Vehicles with runflat tires)
G63004
You may continue driving a vehicle with runflat
tires even if any tire goes flat. It may be able to run
for a maximum of 160 km (100 miles) at a speed
below 90 km/h (55 mph) after the tire pressure
warning light comes on. When you drive your
vehicle after the tire pressure warning light comes
on, the tire must be replaced. Do not use the
repaired tire.
Observe the following precautions and take your vehicle
to the nearest Lexus dealer or authorized tire dealer.