1995 Lexus ES300 brake

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
130
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 105 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”.)
(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 “START” 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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
133
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. You should follow this procedure ...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in “P” and apply the
parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir,
stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening
the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the
engine running and make sure the engine cooling fan is
operating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.
CAUTION:
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of
very high pressure.
3. Look for obvious coolant leaks from the radiator, hoses, and
under the vehicle. However, note that water draining from the
air conditioning is normal if it has been in use.
CAUTION:
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belts.
4. If the coolant is leaking, stop the engine immediately. Call
a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See “Foreword”.)5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant reservoir. If
it is dry, add water to the reservoir while the engine is running.
Fill it about half full.
CAUTION:
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.
6. After the engine coolant temperature has cooled to normal,
again check the coolant level in the reservoir. If necessary,
bring it up to half full again. Serious coolant loss indicates a
leak in the system. You should have it checked as soon as
possible by your Lexus dealer.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
Jack handleTool bag
Spare tire
Jack
134
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.
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.

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.1. Get the tool bag, 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.
2. Remove the cover

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
141 2. Towing with wheel lift type truck

From front
Release the parking brake.

From rear
Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
NOTICE:
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from
the rear with the front wheels on the ground, as this may
cause serious damage to the transmission.
3. Towing with a sling type truck
NOTICE:
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front
or rear. This may cause body damage.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
Emergency towing eyeletsEmergency towing eyelet
Cover of
shift lock
override button
142
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.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position to
other positions even though the brake pedal is depressed,
use the shift lock override button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to “LOCK”. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat−bladed screwdriver or
equivalent.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
143 3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to push
down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of “P”
position only while pushing the button.
4. Shift into “N” position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal
depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
IF YOU LOSE YOUR KEYS OR
LOCK YOURSELF OUT
If you need a replacement key, contact your Lexus dealer.
See the suggestion give in “Keys” on page 8.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a
duplicate, many Lexus dealers can assist you. If you must
break a window to get in, we suggest breaking the smallest
side window because it is the least expensive to replace. Be
extremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.