lexus LS400 1996 Audio System / 1996 LS400: IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

159
SECTION 4
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving 160
If your vehicle will not start 160
If your vehicle overheats 163
If you have a flat tire 164
If your vehicle needs to be towed 170
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 175
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 176

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 ªIf your vehicle will not startº.
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 ªHow to start
the engineº 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 ª(c) Jump startingº 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
ªForewordº.)
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 ª(b) Starting a flooded engineº 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 ªForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
161
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the key to ªSTARTº with the accelerator
pedal held down. Continue this operation for 15 seconds and
then stop cranking. Then try starting the engine with your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking,
release the key, 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 ªForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 15 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
(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 ªForewordº).
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 for at least 15
minutes. 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.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not
jump start unless you are sure that the booster
battery is correct.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
162
Discharged batteryBooster battery
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.2. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster
battery. (This helps reduce the explosion hazard, personal
injuries and burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance interval
battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the
accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate positive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order (

 ) shown in the illustration.

Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red)
cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative
(±) terminal of the booster battery.
Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative
(black) cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted metallic
point (e.g. water inlet housing filler plug) away from the
battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that moves
when the engine is cranked.

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 ªPº 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
ªPº.
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.
CAUTION!
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
165
Never get beneath the vehicle when supported by
a jack.
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by a jack.

Tool boxJackSpare tireJack handle
1. Get the tool, jack and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize
yourself with the use of the jack and each tool, and their
storage locations.

Joint
When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand in the
ªcontractº direction until the jack is free.
When storing, turn the joint by hand in the ªexpandº
direction until the jack is firmly secured to prevent it
from flying forward during a collision or sudden
braking.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
166
To remove the spare tire:

Remove the spare tire cover.
Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the inner side of the
wheel facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the
spare tire cover to prevent the tire from flying forward during
a collision or sudden braking.2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to
keep the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking a wheel, place a wheel block in front of the
front wheels or behind the rear wheels.
Paper for protecting surface
3. Remove the wheel ornament.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
167 Pry off the wheel ornament, using the screwdriver as shown.
CAUTION!
Do not try to pull off the ornament by hand. Take due
care in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected
personal injury.
4. Loosen all the wheel nuts.
Always loosen the wheel nuts before raising the vehicle.
Turn the nuts counterclockwise to loosen them. To get
maximum leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the
handle is on the right side, as shown above. Grab the wrench
near the end of the handle and pull up on the handle. Be
careful that the wrench does not slip off the nut.
Do not remove the nuts yet ± just unscrew them about
one±half turn.
5. Position the jack at the jack points as shown.
Make sure the jack is positioned on a level and solid surface.
6. After making sure no one is in the vehicle, raise it
high enough so that the spare tire can be installed.
Allow for the fact that you need more ground clearance when
putting on the spare tire than when removing the flat tire.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
168To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack (it is
a loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches the
vehicle and begins to lift, double±check that it is properly
positioned.
CAUTION!
Never get under the vehicle when it is supported by
the jack alone.
7. Remove the wheel nuts and remove the flat tire.
Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside.
Before putting on the wheel, remove any corrosion on the
mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such. Installation of
wheels without good metal±to±metal contact at the
mounting surface can cause wheel nuts to loosen and
eventually cause a wheel to come off while driving.
8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger tight.