1997 Lexus ES300 flat tire

161
SECTION 4
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your engine stalls while driving 162
If your vehicle will not start 162
If your vehicle overheats 165
If you have a flat tire 166
If your vehicle needs to be towed 172
If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 177
If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 178

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
1664. If the coolant is leaking, stop the engine immediately.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assisatnce or Customer
Service Assistance. (See ªForeword.º)
5. If there are no obvious leaks, check the coolant
reservoir. If it is dry, add water to the reservoir while he
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.
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
ªP.º4. 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.
Never get beneath the vehicle when supported by
a jack.
Stop the vehicle at a level place and chock the
wheel diagonally opposite to the one being
changed. Otherwise, the vehicle the will move
and possibly cause unexpected accident.
Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack
point. Raising the vehicle with jack improperly
positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow
the vehicle to fall off the jack and cause injury to
the person.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
Use a jack only for lifting your vehicle during
wheel changing.
Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the
vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on
or under the jack.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
167
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving
even a short distance can damage a tire beyond
repair.

Spare tireJackWrenchJack handle
1. Get the jack, wrench and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should
famialiarize yourself with the use of the ack and each tool,
and their storage locations. The jack handle and wrench are
attached at the reverse side of the cover.
2. Remove the cover.

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
168
To remove the spare tire:

Loosen the nut and remove it.
Remove the spare tire cover.
Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the outer side of the
wheel facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the
spare tire cocver to prevent thetire from flying forward during
a collision or sudden braking.3. Block the wheel diaganally opposite the flat tire to
keep the vehicle from reolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block in front of the
front wheels or behind the rear wheels.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
169
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
170To 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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
17210. After changing the wheel, check the air pressure of
the replaced tire. Stow all the tools, jack and flat tire
securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to the
nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and
moisture could get into the valve core and possible cause air
leakage. If the cap is missing, put a new one on as soon as
possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your
tires.
CAUTION!
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat
tire are securely in place in their storage location to
reduce the possibility of personal injury during a
collision or sudden braking.
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE
TOWED
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it
done by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck
service. In consultation with them, have your vehicle
towed using either (a) or (b).
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
(b) Using a flat bed truck
(c) Never tow with a sling type truck
Only when you cannot receive a towing service from a
Lexus dealer or commercial tow truck service, tow your
vehicle carefully in accordance with the instructions
given in ª(d) Emergency towingº on page 176.
Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not
damaged while being towed. Commercial operators are
generally aware of the state/provincial and local laws
pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed incorrectly.
Although most operators know the correct procedure, it is
possible to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your
vehicle, make sure the following few precautions are
observed. If necessary, show this page to the tow truck
driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS:
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by the
state/provincial and local laws. The wheels and axle on the
ground must be in good condition. If they are damaged, use
a towing dolly.