2008 Lexus ES350 parking brake

291
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be hold securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? (→ P. 3 4 2 )
Parking brake
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?

300
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle:
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or serious
injury.
●Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported only by
the floor jack.
Always use automotive jack stands on a solid, level surface.
●Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
●Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in P.
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage the vehi-
cle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
●When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath the
floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack such as
the one shown in the illustration.

5
When trouble arises
353
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Installing towing eyeletRemove the eyelet cover using a
flat head screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to ACCESSORY mode (engine
off) or IGNITION ON mode (engine running) position.
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with front wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1

356
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Towing with a wheel lift-type truckFrom the front Release the parking brake.
From the rear Use a towing dolly under the front
wheel.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle
When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the
opposite end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could
be damaged while being towed.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the front wheels on the ground.

362
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
→P. 3 76
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(USA)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
Indicates the following;
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake booster system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn on or
flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system.

5
When trouble arises
377
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Warning messageDetailsCorrection procedure
Indicates that the trunk is
not fully closed. flashes and a
buzzer sounds to indi-
cate that trunk is not fully
closed (with the vehicle
having reached a speed
of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Close the trunk.
(Flashing)
Indicates that the moon
roof is not fully closed
(with the “ENGINE
START STOP” switch
OFF and the driver’s
door opened). A buzzer also sounds.
Close the moon roof.
(Flashing)
Indicates that the parking
brake is still engaged
(with the vehicle having
reached a speed of more
than 3 mph [5 km/h]).A buzzer also sounds.
Release the parking
brake.
Indicates that the washer
fluid level is low.A buzzer also sounds.
Add washer fluid.

384
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
● Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to P.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack
Jack handle
Spare tireCompact spare tire
Wr e n c h
Towing eyelet

5
When trouble arises
395
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Emergency start functionWhen the engine does not start, the following steps can be used as an
interim measure to start the engine if the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
is functioning normally. Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Set the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to the ACCESSORY
mode.
Push and hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch about 15 sec-
onds while depressing the brake pedal firmly.
Even if the engine can be started using the above steps, the system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
■ The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and head-
lights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( →P. 4 0 0 )
● There may be a malfunction in the steering lock system.
Contact your Lexus dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4