2006 Lexus GS430 emergency towing

DRIVING TIPS
453
Keep ice
and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
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
G32001
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
474
G40005
When closing the board, replace the hook also in its
original position as shown.
NOTICE
If you close the trunk lid with the board hooked,
the hook may be damaged.
G40023
 1Wrench
2Towing eyelet (for emergency towing)
3Jack handle
4Screwdriver
5Spare tire
6Wrenches
7Pliers
8Jack
3. 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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
481
IF YOUR VEHICLE BECOMESSTUCK
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.
then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving
it forward and backward.
Twowheel drive models—Turn off the traction control
system to become unstuck to allow the tires to spin
enough to remove the vehicle from the obstruction. (For
details, see “Traction control system” on page 418.)
CAUTION
Do not attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it
forward and backward if people or objects are anywhere
near the vehicle. During the rocking operation the
vehicle may suddenly move forward or backward as it
becomes unstuck, causing injury or damage to nearby
people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following
precautions to prevent damage to the transmission and
other parts.
 Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting
the selector lever or before the transmission is
completely shifted to forward or reverse gear.
 Do not race the engine and avoid spinning the
wheels.
 If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicle
several times, consider other ways such as towing.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
482
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 486.
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
G40015
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 this
may cause serious damage to the transmission.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
483

From rear
G40016
Twowheel drive models
Select the engine switch in “ACC” mode.
NOTICE
 Do not tow in “OFF” mode, as the steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front
wheels straight.
 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.
G40017
Fourwheel drive models
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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
484
(b) Using a flat bed truck
G40055
Tie down points
G40056
G40057
 AFront BRear
If your Lexus is transported by a flat bed, it should be tied
down at locations A and B as shown above.
G40028
 Rear emergency towing eyelets

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
485
NOTICE
Do not use the rear emergency towing eyelets.
Tie down angle
G40058
If you use chains or wires to tie down your vehicle, the
angles shaded black must be at 45.
(c) Towing with a sling type truck
G40018
NOTICE
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front
or rear. This may cause body damage.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
486
(d) Emergency towing
G40019
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.
To install the front towing eyelet, see “Installing towing eyelet”
on page 488.
NOTICE
 Only use specified towing eyelet; otherwise your
vehicle may be damaged.
 Never tow a vehicle from the rear with four wheels on
the ground. This may cause 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.
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.