2002 Lexus IS300 steering

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
262
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS WHILEDRIVING
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 ºIf 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 YOU CANNOT INCREASE THEENGINE SPEED
If the engine speed does not increase with the accelerator
pedal depressed down to about the middle position, there
may be a problem somewhere in your electronic throttle
control system.
At this time, if you depress the accelerator pedal more firmly
and slowly, you can drive you vehicle at low speeds. Have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnorma lity of the electronic throttle control system
is corrected during low speed driving, the system may not be
recovered until the engine is stopped and the ignition key is
turned to ºACCº or ºLOCKº position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
280
From rear
SS41016b
Place the ignition key in the ºACCº position.
NOTICE
Do not tow with the key removed or in the ºLOCKº
position, as the steering lock mechanism is notstrong enough to hold the front wheels straight.
When lifting wheels, take care to ensure adequateground clearance for towing at the opposite end ofthe raised vehicle. Otherwise, the bumper and/orunderbody of the towed vehicle will be damagedduring towing.
(b) Using a flat bed truck
SS41017
 Tie down points
40E014

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
283
(d) Emergency towing
SV41032
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 yourvehicle may be damaged.
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.
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 chainto the towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in neutral (manual) or ºNº (automatic). The
ignition key must be in ºACCº (engine off) or ºONº (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.

MAINTENANCE
290Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the maintenance schedule. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
ªOwner's Manual Supplementº or ªScheduled Maintenanceº.)
See page 324 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check under
neath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after
the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid or back door, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine
hood secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch
is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly. Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified free play. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive free
play or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Ch
eck that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position. For folding±down rear
seatbacks, check that the latches lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.

MAINTENANCE
291
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and all brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time,
e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make
sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 344 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and Lower
lines on the see±through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 313 for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have
to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 338 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 321 for
additional information. Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 310 for additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the
ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 322 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or smell
exhaust fumes, have the cause located and corrected
immediately. (See ªEngine exhaust cautionsº on page 221 in
Section 3±1.)

INTRODUCTION
297
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1Battery
2Fuse box
3Engine oil filler cap
4Engine oil leveldipstick
5Brake fluid reservoir
6Washer fluid tank
7Power steering fluidreservoir
8Engine coolantreservoir
SV61007

INTRODUCTION
298
DO±IT±YOURSELF SERVICEPRECAUTIONS
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure given in this Section.
You should be aware that improper or incomplete servicing
may result in operating problems.
Performing do±it±yourself maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your warranty coverage. Read the separate
Lexus Warranty statement for details and suggestions.
This Section gives instructions only for those items that are
relatively easy for an owner to perform. As explained in
Section 5, there are still a number of items that must be
performed by a qualified technician with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for do±it±yourself
maintenance, see ºParts and toolsº on page 299.
Utmost care should be taken when working on your vehicle to
prevent accidental injury. Here are a few precautions that you
should be especially careful to observe:
CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive
belt. (Removing rings, watches, and ties is
advisable.)

Right after driving, the engine compartment ± the
engine, radiator, exhaust manifold and power
steering fluid reservoir, etc. ± will be hot. So be
careful not to touch them. Oil and other fluids may
also be hot.

Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
around fuel or the battery. Their fumes are
flammable.

Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.

Be sure the ignition is off if you work near the electric
cooling fan or radiator grille. With the ignition on, the
electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if
the air conditioning is on and/or if the coolant
temperature is high.

Use eye protection whenever you work on or under
your vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc.

Be extremely cautious when working on the battery.
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Warning: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.

INTRODUCTION
300
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE BLADE
TYPE FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Fuse with same amperage rating as original
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGE TYPE FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same amperage
rating as original
ADDING WASHER FLUID
Parts:

Water

Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Tools:

Funnel