tow Lexus IS250 2008 Owner's Guide

189
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing. Shift the shift lever to neutral.
Switch to ACCESSORY mode. ( →P. 1 1 9 )
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned OFF.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driv-
ing the vehicle.
■Necessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Contact
the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recommended
equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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2-5. Driving information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
NOTICE
■Dinghy towing direction
■To prevent the steering from locking
Ensure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY mode.
Do not tow the vehicle backwards.
Doing so may cause serious damage.

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3-5. Other interior features
3
Interior features
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)Press “AUTO” again.
If the direction is displayed several seconds after adjustment, the cali-
bration is complete.
■
Circling calibration
If “CAL” appears on the display,
drive the vehicle at 5 mph (8 km/h)
or less in a circle until a direction is
displayed.
If there is not enough space to
drive in a circle, drive around the
block until the direction is dis-
played.
STEP4
■Conditions unfavorable to correct operation
The compass may not show the correct di rection in the following conditions:
●The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
●The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
●The vehicle is in a place where the earth's magnetic field is subject to interfer-
ence by artificial magnetic fields (underground car park/parking lot, under a
steel tower, between buildings, roof car park/parking lot, near an intersection,
near a large vehicle, etc.).
●The vehicle has become magnetized.
(There is a magnet or metal object near the inside rear view mirror.)
●The battery has been disconnected.
●A door is open.

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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (→P. 3 0 2)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
•Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (→P. 3 0 1 )
• 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. 299)
• “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
engine coolant)

287
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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,
observe the following precautions.
■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, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing 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.
ItemsParts and tools
Engine oil level (→P. 2 9 5 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used
only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (→P. 3 2 7 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
Tire inflation pressure (→P. 316)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Headlight aim (→P. 3 4 1 )• Phillips-head screwdriver
Radiator and condenser (→P. 3 0 1 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d (→P. 3 0 5 )
• Water washer fluid containing anti-freeze (for winter use)
•Funnel

When trouble arises5
349
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
5-1. Essential information................... 350
If your vehicle needs to be towed ..................................... 350
If you think something is wrong ...................................... 356
Fuel pump shut off system ..................................... 357
Event data recorder ............. 358
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency.................... 360
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ................................ 360
If a warning message is displayed ................................ 369
If you have a flat tire .............. 382
If the engine will not start ...... 391
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P........................ 392
If you lose your keys ............... 393
If the electronic key does not operate properly .......... 394 If the vehicle battery is
discharged ............................ 397
If your vehicle overheats............................... 400
If the vehicle becomes stuck........................................ 402

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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(s). This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short
distances 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 eyelets
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 rear, the vehicle’s front wheels and axles must be in good
condition. (
→P. 3 5 4 )
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
351
5-1. Essential information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Put the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY mode (engine
off) or IGNITION ON mode (engine running).
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
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
■When towing a vehicle without using a towing dolly
(vehicles with a manual transmission)
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch must not be OFF.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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5-1. Essential information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Installing towing eyeletsRemove 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.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
■Location of the emergency towing eyelet
→P. 3 8 2

5
When trouble arises
353
5-1. Essential information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Towing with a sling-type truck
CAUTION
■Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may 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.