brake lexus LS400 1995 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminder Indicators / 1995 LS400: IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
160
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILE
DRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving . . . .
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see “If your vehicle will not start”.
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in “How to start the
engine” on page 130 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly −
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You may try jump starting. See “(c)
Jump starting” for further instruction.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
“Foreword”.)
NOTICE
Do not pull−or push−start the vehicle. It may damage the
vehicle or cause a collision when the engine starts. Also
the three−way 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”.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
163
NOTICE
When making the connections, do not lean over the
battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or clamps
touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at
about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order:
the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover cloths which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked.
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
164B: 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
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line. Move
cautiously off the road to a safe place − well away from the
traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway. Park
on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in “P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from
traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
NOTICE
For vehicles equipped with the height control switch, be
sure to turn the ignition switch off before jacking. If this
is not done, the vehicle height adjustment function will
operate, which may cause body damage.
NOTICE
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:

Follow jacking instructions.

Use a jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
1743. Towing with a sling type truck

From front
Follow the instructions for towing from front in “2. Towing with
wheel lift type truck”.

From rear
NOTICE
Do not tow with a sling type truck. This may cause body
damage.
Emergency towing
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable secured to
one of the eyelets under the front or rear of the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes. Towing in this manner may be done only on
hard−surfaced roads for a short distance and at low speeds.
Also, the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and brakes must
all be in good condition.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in “N”. The ignition key must be in “ACC” (engine
off) or “ON” (engine running).
CAUTION
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the
brakes and steering will not work, so steering and
braking will be much harder than usual.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
175
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever, use the shift lock
override button as follows:
1
Turn the ignition key to “LOCK” or “ACC”. Make sure the
parking brake is applied. Pry up the cover with a
flat−bladed screwdriver or equivalent.
2
Insert your finger, the screwdriver or equivalent into the
hole to push down the shift lock override button. You can
shift the selector lever while pushing the button.
For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.