2009 Lexus IS250 brakes

301
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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 6 1 )
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• 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?

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
389
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■When the electric power steering warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, firmly hold and
operate it using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus
dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

5
When trouble arises
399
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
(Flashing and then con-tinuously on)
(Flashing)
(If equipped)Indicates that the radar
cruise control system is
unable to judge vehicle-
to-vehicle distance.
• Switch the driving mode to either the normal or
power mode.
• If the windshield wipers
are on, turn them off or
set them to either the
intermittent or the slow
mode.
(Flashing)
(If equipped)
Indicates that your vehi-
cle is nearing the vehicle
ahead (in radar cruise
mode).
Slow the vehicle by apply-
ing the brakes.
■Changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil change system. ( P. 313)
■Warning light display in radar cruise mode
In the following cases, the warning light may not be displayed even if vehicle-to-
vehicle distance closes.
●When your vehicle and the vehicle ahead are traveling at the same speed or the
vehicle ahead is traveling more quickly than your vehicle
●When the vehicle ahead is traveling at a very low speed
●Immediately after cruise control speed is set
●At the instant the accelerator pedal is depressed

402
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection
procedure
Once
(Vehicles with an auto- matic transmission)
Indicates that a
door has been
opened or closed
and the “ENGINE
START STOP”
switch has been
switched twice to
ACCESSORY
mode from OFF.
Press the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch
while applying the
brakes.
Once
(Vehicles with a manual transmission)
Indicates that a
door has been
opened or closed
and the “ENGINE
START STOP”
switch has been
switched twice to
ACCESSORY
mode from OFF.
Press the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch
while depressing
the clutch pedal.
Once
(Flashing)
Indicates that the
steering lock has
not released
within 3 seconds
of pressing the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch.Press the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch
again while turn-
ing the steering
wheel with the
brake pedal
depressed.

418
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Tr u n kTurn the mechanical key clock-
wise to open.
Changing “ENGINE START STOP” switch modes and starting the engine
Automatic transmissionShift the shift lever to P and apply the brakes.
Touch the Lexus emblem side of
the electronic key to the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch.
An alarm will sound to indicate that
the start function cannot detect the
electronic key that is touched to
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch if any of the doors is opened
and closed while the key is touched
to the switch.
STEP1
STEP2

438
6-1. Specifications
Brakes
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50kgf) while the engine is running.
*2: Parking brake pedal travel when depressed with a force of 67.4 lbf (300 N,30.6 kgf).
*3: Parking brake lever travel when pulled up with a force of 45.0 lbf (200 N, 20.4kgf).
Pe d a l c l e a r a n c e *1
IS 350
IS 250
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission4.13 in. (105 mm) Min.
4.09 in. (104 mm) Min.
4.3 in. (108 mm) Min.
Pedal free play0.04  0.08 in. (1.0  2.0 mm)
Brake pad wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake lining wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal travel *2/
lever travel
*3
Pedal type
Lever type7  9 clicks
4
 6 clicks
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3