2002 Lexus ES300 emergency towing

DRIVING TIPS
247
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of
the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
DINGHY TOWING
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
265
1. Lift up the deck board and hang the deck board hook on
the right hinge of the trunk lid.
Make sure the board does not fall down.
When closing the board, replace the hook in its original
position. 1Spare tire 2Jack handle 3Wrench
4Jack 5Towing eyelet
2. Get the jack, wrench 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. The jack handle and wrench are attached
at the reverse side of the cover.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
271
IF YOUR VEHICLE NEEDS TO BETOWED
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 “(d) Emergency towing” on page 274.
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 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.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
 From front
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequate
ground clearance for towing at the opposite end of the
raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper and/or
underbody of the towed vehicle will be damaged during
towing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
272
From rear
Use a towing dolly under the front wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission
from the rear with front wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious damage to the transmission.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
Tie down points

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
273
If your Lexus is transported by a flat bed, it should be tied
down at locations A and B as shown above.
Rear emergency towing eyelets
NOTICE
Do not use the rear emergency towing eyelets.
Tie down angle
If you use chains or wires to tie down your vehicle, the
angles shaded black must be at 45 .

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
274
(c) 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.
(d) Emergency towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing eyelet. Use extreme
caution when towing the vehicle.
NOTICE
Only use specified towing eyelet; otherwise your
vehicle may be damaged.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
275
Towing in this manner may be done only on hardsurfaced
roads
for a short distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels,
axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good
condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid
sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet
and towing cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable
or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for use
in towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain
to the towing eyelet provided.
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.
(e) Installing front towing eyelet
1. Remove the front towing eyelet cover on the front bumper
using a flatbladed screwdriver. To protect the bodywork,
place a piece of rag over the cover.
2. Use the front towing eyelet in the trunk. Secure it to the hole
on the bumper by turning clockwise. (For the eyelet location,
see page 265.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
276
3. Tighten the front towing eyelet securely by a wheel nut
wrench.
NOTICE
Make sure the front towing eyelet is tightened securely,
or it may be loosened or removed when towing the
vehicle.
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.
2Pry up the cover with a flatbladed screwdriver or
equivalent.