Page 657 of 860

GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
6576-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equipment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• Lock nuts are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run- flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
●Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display,
airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wire- less communication device
Vehicles with the tire inflation pressure display function: If tire position information
is not correctly disp layed due to the radio wave conditions, the display may be
corrected by driving and changing the radio wave conditions.
●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off could
be extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapi dly for example when a tire has burst, the
warning may not function.
■The initialization operation
●Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire inflation
pressure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during initialization, it is not
necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will restart automatically
when the power switch has been turn ed to ON mode for the next time.
●If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary, adjust
the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are cold, and conduct
initialization again.
Page 701 of 860

701
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
7When trouble arises
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers................... 702
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .... 703 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ................................ 704
If you think something is wrong ................. 710
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds ........ 711
If a warning message is displayed .................................. 721
If you have a flat tire.................... 749
If the hybrid system will not start................................. 762
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ......................764
If the parking brake cannot be released .................................765
If the electronic key does not operate properly ...................... 767
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ............................. 770
If your vehicle overheats .......... 774
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................................. 778
Page 704 of 860
704
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
●The hybrid system is operating but the vehicle will not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or
chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be
attempted on hard surfaced roads
for short distances at under 18 mph
(30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to
steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles,
steering and brakes must be in good
condition.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type
truck or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provin-
cial and local laws.
Before towing
Emergency towing
Page 705 of 860
7057-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
7
When trouble arises
Take out the towing eyelet (P. 750)
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi-
cle 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.
Installing towing eyelet
1
2
3
4
Page 706 of 860
7067-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.
Towing with a sl
ing-type truck
Towing with a wheel -lift type truck
From the frontFrom the rear
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels. Turn the power switch to ACCES-
SORY mode so that the steering
wheel is unlocked.
Page 708 of 860
7087-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
■Before emergency towingRelease the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the power switch to ACCESSORY (hyb rid system off) or ON (hybrid system
operating) mode.
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving ma neuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always be cautious of the
surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the hybrid system is off, the power as sist for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
■Installing towing ey elets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
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2
3
Page 709 of 860
7097-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
7
When trouble arises
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission when towing using a
wheel-lift type truck
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the rear with the power switch off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.
●When raising the vehicle from the rear, 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 from the rear.
■To prevent body damage when to wing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
Page 750 of 860
7507-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_U (OM30D01U)
Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack handle
Parking brake release tool
Screwdriver
Towing eyeletWheel nut wrench
Spare tire
Jack1
2
3
4
5
6
7