2012 Lexus GX460 Owner's Manual

5
When trouble arises
743
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flammable
gas that may be emitted from the battery:
●Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it is not
unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended terminal.
●Do not allow the + and - clamps of the jumper cables to come into contact with
each other.
●Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near the bat-
tery.
■Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while related parts
contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following precautions when han-
dling the battery:
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care not to
allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing or the vehi-
cle body.
●Do not lean over the battery.
●If the battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes, immediately wash the
affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention can be
received.
●Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and other
battery-related parts.
●Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, ensure that they do not become entangled in
the cooling fans or belt.

744
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
If your vehicle overheats
If the engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins to
fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine and call your local Lexus dealer.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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When trouble arises
745
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
If the engine cover needs to be
removed. (→P. 6 1 0 )
Add engine coolant if required.
Water can be used as an emer-
gency measure if engine coolant
is unavailable. ( →P. 7 5 7 )
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP4
STEP5

746
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating:
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, causing serious
injury such as burns.
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cold coolant to a hot engine too quickly
can cause damage to the engine.

5
When trouble arises
747
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow:
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
to P.
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
Lock the center differential. (→ P. 323)
Release the parking brake and shift the shift lever to the D or R
position and carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC and VSC if these functions are hampering your
attempts to free the vehicle. ( →P. 3 3 8 )
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

748
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to push the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme
caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the transmission and other components
●Avoid spinning the wheels and rev the engine.
●If the vehicle remains stuck even after trying these procedures, the vehicle may
require towing to be freed.

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle
in the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly
depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the
effort required to slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehi-
cle speed as much as possible.
Stop the engine by pressing and
holding the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch for 3 consecutive
seconds or more.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP3
STEP4
Press and hold for 3 seconds or more
STEP5

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
CAUTION
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the brake pedal
harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as
possible before turning off the engine.