2009 Lexus IS250 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2009 IS350/250 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53669U)

369
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Replacing light bulbs
●Turn off the headlights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immediately after turn-
ing off the headlights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
●Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with ba re hands. Hold the bulb by
the plastic or metal portion.
If the bulb is scratched or dropped it may blow out or crack.
●Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failing to do so may
result in heat damage, fire, or water en tering the headlight unit. This may damage
the headlights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
●Do not attempt to take apart or repair the low beam headligh t bulbs, connectors,
power supply circuits, or related components.
Doing so could result in electric shock and serious injury or death.
■Discharge headlights (if equipped)
●Contact your Lexus dealer be fore replacing discharge headlights (including light
bulbs).
●Do not touch the high-intensity discharge headlight’s high voltage socket when
the headlights are turned on.
An extremely high voltage of 20000 V wi ll be discharged and could result in
serious injury or death by electric shock.
■To prevent damage or fire
Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.

370
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

When trouble arises5
371
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers............... 372
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................. 373
If you think something is wrong .................................. 379
Fuel pump shut off system .................................... 380
Event data recorder ............... 381 5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ................................. 383
If a warning message is displayed................................ 392
If you have a flat tire............... 404
If the engine will not start .......................................... 413
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ........................ 415
If you lose your keys ............... 416
If the electronic key does not operate properly............ 417
If the vehicle battery is discharged ............................. 421
If your vehicle overheats............................... 424
If the vehicle becomes stuck......................................... 427

372
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers
NOTICE
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the emergency flashers on longer than necessary when the engine is
not running.
Use the emergency flashers if the vehicle malfunctions or is involved in an
accident.
Press the switch to flash all the
turn signal lights. To turn them
off, press the switch once again.

5
When trouble arises
373
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet(s). This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short
distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to s teer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Towing eyelets
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing se rvice, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towi ng, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
If towing from the rear, the vehicle’s front wheels and axles must be in good
condition. ( P. 377)
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly or flat bed truck.

374
5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Put the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY mode or IGNI-
TION ON mode.
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
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious dama ge to the transmission.
■When towing a vehicle without using a towing dolly
(vehicles with a manual transmission)
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch must not be OFF.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
375
5-1. Essential information
Installing towing eyeletsRemove 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.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
■Location of the emergency towing eyelet
P. 4 0 4

376
5-1. Essential information
Towing with a sling-type truck
CAUTION
■Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing. This may
lead to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.
NOTICE
■To prevent body damage
Do not tow with a sling type truck, either from the front or rear.