1996 Lexus LS400 transmission

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
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
173 2. Towing with wheel lift type truck
From front
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission
from the front with rear wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the transmission.
From rear
Place the ignition key in the ªACCº position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the ªLOCKº
position, as the steering lock mechanism is not
strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
1743. Towing with a sling type truck
From front
Follow the instructions for towing from front in ª2. Towing with
wheel lift type truckº.
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 ªNº. The ignition key must be in ªACCº
(engine off) or ªONº (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:

Turn the ignition key to ªLOCKº or ªACCº. Make sure the
parking brake is applied. Pry up the cover with a
flat±bladed screwdriver or equivalent.
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.