Page 309 of 442

DRIVING TIPS
ccxcv
3. Release the
parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply your
brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or the posted towing
speed limit, whichever is lower. Because instability
(swaying) of a towing vehicle trailer combination
usually increases as the speed increases, exceeding
72 km/h (45 mph) may cause loss of control.
Slow down and downshift before descending steep
or long downhill grades. Do not make sudden
downshifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking efficiency.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE
YOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy — just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving — but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
Always drive with the automatic transmission selector
lever in the “D” position when engine braking is not
required. Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel
economy. (For details, see “Automatic transmission” on
page cclxiii.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
Page 322 of 442

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
cccviii
IF YOU CANNOT INCREASEENGINE SPEED
If engine speed does not increase when the accelerator pedal
is depressed, there may be a problem somewhere in the
electronic throttle control system.
At this time, vibration may occur. However, if you depress the
accelerator pedal more firmly and slowly, you can drive your
vehicle at low speeds. Have your vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Even if the abnormality 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 the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
CAUTION
Be especially careful to prevent erroneous pedal
operation.
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 “P” 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.
Page 324 of 442

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
cccx
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. Otherwise,
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 “P”. 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 place any
objects on top of or underneath 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.
Page 335 of 442
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
cccxxi
(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.
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.
Page 339 of 442

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
cccxxv
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 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 flathead screwdriver. To protect the bodywork, place
a piece of rag over the cover.
Page 341 of 442
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
cccxxvii
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT AUTOMATICTRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position to
other pos itions even though the brake pedal is depressed,
use the shift lock override button as follows:
1Turn the ignition key to “LOCK”. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2Pry up the cover with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent.
3Push down the shift lock override button. You can shift out
of “P” position only while pushing the button.
4Shift into “N” position.
Insert the cover. Start the engine. For your safety, keep
the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
Page 348 of 442

MAINTENANCE
cccxxxivAccelerator pedal
Check
the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake
applied.
Automatic transmission “Park” mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in “P” 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, operate smoothly and
all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood
secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch is
released.
Page 360 of 442

INTRODUCTION
cccxlvi
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 the vehicle
supported by the 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 “P”. Block
the wheels on the opposite side of the jack up point
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 vehicle support
stands.
Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on
top of or underneath the jack.
NOTICE
Make sure to place the jack correctly, or your vehicle
may be damaged.