2012 Lexus LFA flat tire

281
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of handling
control.
The wheel bolts used are exclusive to the LFA. When replacing the wheels or
wheel bolts, consult your Lexus dealer.
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only Lexus wheel bolts design ed for use with your aluminum
wheels.
● When repairing or changing your tires, check that the wheel bolts
are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Use only Lexus genuine balance we ights or equivalent when bal-
ancing your wheels.
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Lexus are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advanced warning in
the event of a loss in tire inflation pres sure. Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire
pressure warning valves and tran smitters must be installed. (P. 2 7 1 )
■Wheel bolt torque
An exclusive hub socket for the wheel bolts of
the LFA is contained in the tool bag. A 1 /2-
inch (12.7 mm) drive extension bar and a
torque wrench are required to tighten the
bolts.
Tightening torque:
81 ft
•lbf (110 N•m, 11.2 kgf•m)

When trouble arises5
301
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers.............. 302
If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 303
If you think something is wrong ..................................... 308
Fuel pump shut off system .................................... 309
Event data recorder ............... 310 5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... .................................. 312
If a warning message is displayed................................ 322
If you have a flat tire............... 332
If the engine will not start .... 343
If you lose your keys/ wireless remote
control transmitter ............. 344
If the parking brake cannot be released ............. 345
If the vehicle battery is discharged ............................ 348
If your vehicle overheats ...... 351
If the vehicle becomes stuck........................................ 354
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency ............................ 355

306
5-1. Essential information
Using a flatbed truckUse a flatbed truck suitable for vehicles with low ground clearance. To
prevent body damage, do not tow with a wheel-lift or sling type truck. We
recommend having your Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service
load and unload the vehicle whenever possible.
■ Before loading the vehicle on a flatbed truck
Deactivate the tilt sensor. ( P. 56)
■ After the vehicle is loaded
Select Neutral, apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” position.
Use wheel chocks for all 4 wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.
Secure the vehicle by strapping
the tires to the deck of the tow
truck as shown.
STEP1
STEP2

5
When trouble arises
307
5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedureStart the engine.
If the engine cannot be started, turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” or
“ON” position.
With Neutral selected, release the parking brake.
■When using the towing eyelet
Use the towing eyelet only when your vehicle is being towed.
Do not use the towing eyelet to tow another vehicle or to tie down your vehicle on a
flatbed truck.
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 eyelet and the cable or chain. Always be cautious of the
surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the engine is not running , the power assist for the brakes and steering may not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■Installing towing eyelet to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelet is installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelet may come loose during towing. This may lead
to accidents that cause serious injury or even death.
NOTICE
■To prevent vehicle damage
Observe the following precautions when using a flatbed truck:
●Do not drive over wheel chocks, as doing so may damage the tires.
●Do not tie down the vehicle over any part s other than the tires (do not use parts
such as the suspension).
STEP1
STEP2

308
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge ind icates that the temperature is
higher than normal.
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spon gy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

316
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*1: Open door warning buzzer
P. 3 2 7
*2: Driver’s and passenger’s seat belt reminders buzzer
The driver’s and passenger’s seat belt reminders sound to alert the driver and
passenger that their seat belt is not fa stened. The buzzer sounds intermittently
for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).
Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened , the buzzer will sound in a different tone
for 20 more seconds. Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure
Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure to the specified level. The
light will turn off after a few
minutes. In case the light does
not turn off even if the tire infla-
tion pressure is adjusted, have
the vehicle checked by your
Lexus dealer.
When the light comes on after
blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pres-
sure warning system Have the system checked by
your Lexus dealer.
Master warning light A buzzer sounds and the
warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the
master warning system has
detected a malfunction. 
P. 3 2 2
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

5
When trouble arises
317
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fuel tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
■Electric power steering system warning light
When the battery is low or when the voltage drops temporarily, the electric power
steering system warnin g light may come on.
■Passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
●If luggage is placed on the passenger seat, the passenger detection sensor may
cause the warning light to flash even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may not operate properly.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch will not turn off the tire pressure warning light. After
the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, it may take a few minutes for the tire pressure
warning light to go off.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as natural
air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case,
adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few min-
utes).

318
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the wheels or
wheel housings
●If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used (Even if you use Lexus wheels, the tire
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)
●If a tire is repaired with the emergency tire puncture repair kit
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after flashing frequently for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after flashing frequently for 1 minute
when the ignition switch is turned to th e “ON” position, have it checked by your
Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features P. 383)