Page 522 of 651
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
501
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.
Vehicles with electronically modulated air
suspension: When jacking up, be sure to turn
off the height control and stop the engine.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may change in
the automatic leveling function, resulting in
an unexpected accident. For details, see
page 446.
Page 537 of 651
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
516TOWING 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.
CAUTION
Vehicles with electronically modulated air suspension:
When
your vehicle is towed, put the vehicle height in the
“N” (normal) mode and push the height control switch
to turn off the electronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may be changed in the
automatic leveling function, resulting in an unexpected
accident. For details, see “Electronically modulated air
suspension” on page 437.
(a) Towing with a wheel lift type truck
From front
Two wheel drive models
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.
Page 542 of 651
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
521
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.
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.
Page 545 of 651
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
524
3. Tighten the front towing eyelet securely by a wheel nut
wrench.
CAUTION
When installing the eyelet on the vehicle, be sure to
tighten the front eyelet securely. If the eyelet is loose,
it may come off when being towed and result in death or
serious injury.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT AUTOMATICTRANSMISSION 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:
1Turn the ignition key to “LOCK”. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2Pry up the cover with a flathead screwdriver or equivalent.
Page 551 of 651
MAINTENANCE
530Battery
Check the battery condition by the indicator color. See page
601 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 568 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 556 for
additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in
the “HOT” or “COLD” range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 569 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 “Engine exhaust caution” on page 384.)
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. Check 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.
Page 552 of 651
MAINTENANCE
531
Accelerator 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 free play. 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
Check the lock release button of the selector lever for proper
and smooth operation. 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 side doors and 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.
Page 562 of 651
INTRODUCTION
541
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 “Parts and tools” on page 543.
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.
If the engine is hot, do not remove the radiator cap or
loosen the drain plugs to prevent burning yourself.
Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as
paper or rags, in the engine compartment.
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 that the ignition is off if you work near the
electric cooling fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans will
automatically start to run if the engine coolant
temperature is high and/or the air conditioning is on.
Page 566 of 651
INTRODUCTION
545
Rear (Four wheel drive models)
When jacking up your vehicle with the jack, position the
jack correctly as shown in the illustrations.
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. 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 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.
