2005 Lexus IS300 automatic transmission

SECTION 4
279
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
In case of an emergency
If your engine stalls while driving280
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If you cannot increase engine speed 280
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If your vehicle will not start 281
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If your vehicle overheats 285
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If you have a flat tire 286
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If your vehicle becomes stuck 298
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If your vehicle needs to be towed 299
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If you cannot shift automatic transmission selector lever 304
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If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 305
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04 06.30

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
285
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 (automatic) or
neutral (manual) 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.
B: 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 eng ine 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.
04 06.30

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
286
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 (automatic) or reverse (manual).
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.
 Do not put any part of your body under a vehicle
supported by a jack. Personal injury may occur.
 Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle
is supported by the jack.
Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly
set the parking brake and put the transmission
in ªPº (automatic) or reverse (manual). Block
the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being
changed if necessary.
 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
personal injury.
 Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
 Use the 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.
 Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove
and change the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire.
Driving even a short distance can damage a tire
and wheel beyond repair.
04 06.30

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
299
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 ª(d) Emergency towingº on page 303.
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
SS41015
MANUAL TRANSMISSION:
We recommend using a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:
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 thismay cause serious damage to the transmission.
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
303
(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.
Automatic transmission: Use only the front towing eyelet
when towing your vehicle.
NOTICE
Only use specified towing eyelet; otherwise your vehicle may be damaged.
Automatic transmission: Never tow a vehicle fromthe rear with four wheels on the ground. This maycause serious damage to the transmission.
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.
04 06.30

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
304
NOTICE
Use only a cable or chain specifically intended for usein towing vehicles. Securely fasten the cable or chain tothe towing eyelet provided.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in neutral (manual) or ªNº (automatic). 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.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
SV04012
If you cannot shift the selector lever, use the shift lock
button as follows:
1Turn 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.
04 06.30

MAINTENANCE
311
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 ªParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ªPº position and all brakes released.
Vehicle exterior
Items
listed below should be performed from time to time,
unless otherwise specified.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath 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.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure with a gauge every two
weeks, or at least once a month and adjust as shown on
the tire and loading information label. See page 351 for
additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 368 for additional information.
Tire 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 366 or 367 for additional
information.
04 06.30

INTRODUCTION
320
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a short circuit.

Add only ªT oyota Super Long Life Coolantº or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non±silicate, non± amine, non±nitrite, and non±borate coolant withlong±life hybrid organic acid technology to fill theradiator. ªToyota Super Long Life Coolantº is a mix-ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water (for the
U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45% deionized water (forCanada).

If you spill some of the coolant, be sure to wash it offwith water to prevent it from damaging the parts orpaint.

Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you
have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive engine wear could result. Also backfiringcould cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or thetransmission could be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with thewiper frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
do±it±yourself maintenance. Remember all Lexus parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools must be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):

ªToyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL ªEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see page 335.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):

ªToyota Super Long Life Coolantº or similar high quality
ethylene glycol based non±silicate, non±amine, non±nitrite,
and non±borate coolant with long±life hybrid organic acid technology.
ªToyota Super Long Life Coolantº is a mixture of 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45% deionized water (for Canada).
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
04 06.30