4137-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises
In the following situations, it is not pos-
sible to be towed by another vehicle
using cables or chains, as the rear
wheels may be locked due to the park-
ing lock. Contact your Lexus dealer or
commercial towing service.
There is a malfunction in the shift control system. ( → P.163, 428)
There is a malfunction in the engine
immobilizer system. ( → P.58)
There is a malfunction in the smart
access system with push-button
start. ( → P.436)
The battery is discharged.
( → P.438)
The following may indicate a problem
with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing
service before towing.
The engine is running but the vehi-
cle does not move.
The vehicle makes an abnormal
sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.WARNING■
Installing towing eyelets to the vehi-
cle
Make sure that towing eyelets are
installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets
may come loose during towing.
NOTICE■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing using a wheel-lift type
truck●
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear
when the engine switch is off. The
steering lock mechanism is not strong
enough to hold the front wheels
straight.●
When raising the vehicle, ensure ade-
quate ground clearance for towing at
the opposite end of the raised vehicle.
Without adequate clearance, the vehi-
cle could be damaged while being
towed.■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either
from the front or rear.
■
To prevent damage to the vehicle
during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the
suspension components.
Situations when it is not possible
to be towed by another vehicle Situations when it is necessary to
contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
4157-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises wheels, drive train, axles, steering and
brakes must be in good condition.
To have your vehicle towed by another
vehicle, the towing eyelet must be
installed to your vehicle. Install the tow-
ing eyelet using the following proce-
dure.
1 Take out the phillips-head screw-
driver and towing eyelet.
Phillips-head screwdriver
Towing eyelet
2 Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehicle
body as shown in the illustration. 3 Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
4 Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a phillips-head
screwdriver or hard metal bar.
5 Securely attach cables or chains to
the towing eyelet. Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
6 Enter the vehicle being towed and
start the engine. If the engine does not start, turn the engine
switch to IGNITION ON mode.
7 Shift the shift position to N and
release the parking brake. ■
While towing
If the engine is not running, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and braking more difficult.Emergency towing procedure
A
B
416 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire
wear
Engine coolant temperature gauge
needle continually points higher
than normal.
Changes in exhaust sound
Excessive tire squeal when corner-
ing
Strange noises related to the sus-
pension system
Pinging or other noises related to
the engine
Engine missing, stumbling or run-
ning 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, spongy
feeling, pedal almost touches the
floor
If you think something is
wrong If you notice any of the following
symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
4177-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises Follow the procedure below to restart
the engine after the system is activated.
1 Turn the engine switch to ACCES-
SORY mode or turn it off.
2 Restart the engine.Fuel pump shut off system To minimize the risk of fuel leakage
when the engine stalls or when an
airbag inflates upon collision, the
fuel pump shut off system stops the
supply of fuel to the engine.
Restarting the engine
NOTICE■
Before starting the engine
Inspect the ground under the vehicle.
If you find that fuel has leaked onto the
ground, the fuel system has been dam-
aged and is in need of repair. Do not
restart the engine.
418 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) ■
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■
High coolant temperature warning light *
(warning buzzer)*
: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer soundsCalmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers Warning light Details/Actions(U.S.A.)
or (red)
(Canada) Indicates that:
The brake fluid level is low; or
The brake system is malfunctioning
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Indicates that the brake pads are worn out (only the right-side pads can
be detected)
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light Details/Actions
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The electronically controlled br ake system (if equipped); or
The parking brake system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning light Details/Actions
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( → P.443)
4197-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises ■
Charging system warning light *
(warning buzzer)*
: This light illuminates on the multi-information display. ■
Low engine oil pressure warning light *
(warning buzzer)*
: This light illuminates on the multi-information display. ■
Malfunction indicator lamp (warning buzzer)
■
SRS warning light (warning buzzer) Warning light Details/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
Warning light Details/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
Warning light Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada) Indicates a malfunction in:
The electronic engine control system;
The electronic throttle control system; or
The electronic automatic transmission control system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
Warning light Details/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
The SRS airbag system;
The front passenger occupant classification system; or
The seat belt pr etensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
4217-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises ■
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
■
Low fuel level warning light
■
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer) *
*
: Driver’s seat belt warning buzzer:
The driver’s seat belt warning buzzer sounds to al ert the driver that his or her seat belt is not
fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the buzzer sounds for
6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer sounds once. If
the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound intermittently for 6
seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, th e buzzer will sound in a different tone for
90 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger that his
or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the vehicle reaches a speed of 12
mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 6 seconds. Th en, if the seat belt is still un fastened, the buzzer will sound in
a different tone for 90 more seconds. Warning light Details/Actions(red)
or (yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning light Details/Actions
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 3.4 gal. (13 L, 2.8 Imp.
gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
Warning light Details/Actions
Warns the driver and/or front pass enger to fasten their seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s seat
belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light (warning
buzzer) turn off.
426 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after 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 (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insuffi-
cient or the voltage temporarily drops, the
electric power steeri ng system warning
light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound. ■
When the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Inspect the tires to check if a tire is punc-
tured.
If a tire is punctured: → P.432
If none of the tires are punctured:
Turn the engine switch off then turn it to
IGNITION ON mode. Check if the tire
pressure warning light comes on or blinks.
If the tire pressure wa rning light blinks for
approximately 1 minute then stays on
There may be a malfunction in the tire
pressure warning syst em. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
If the tire pressure warning light comes
on
1 After the temperature of the tires has
lowered sufficiently, check the inflation
pressure of each tire and adjust them to
the specified level.
2 If the warning light does not turn off
even after several minutes have
elapsed, check that the inflation pres-
sure of each tire is at the specified level
and perform initialization. ( → P.392)
■
The tire pressure warning light may
come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure wa rning light may come
on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes
caused by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes). ■
Conditions that the tire pressure warn-
ing system may not function properly
→ P.389
WARNING■
If both the ABS and the brake system
warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immedi-
ately and contact your Lexus dealer.
The vehicle will become extremely
unstable during br aking, and the ABS
system may fail, which could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury. ■
When the electric power steering
system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the
assist to the power st eering is restricted.
When the light comes on red, the assist
to the power steering is lost and handling
operations of the steering wheel become
extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are
heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more
force than usual. ■
If the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Be sure to observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or
serious injury.
●
Decelerate to the lowest appropriate
speed as soon as possible. Do not
drive over 50 mph (80 km/h).
●
Check and adjust the tire inflation
pressure immediately.
●
If the tire pressure warning light comes
on even after tire inflation pressure
adjustment, it is prob able that you have
a flat tire. Have the flat tire replaced by
the nearest Lexus dealer.