2018 LEXUS LS500H tow

3836-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care 6-3.Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service pre-
cautions If you perform maintenance by
yourself, be sure to follow the cor-
rect procedure as given in these
sections.
Maintenance Items Parts and tools
12-volt battery
condition
( → P.393) •Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( → P.391) • FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT
4 or SAE J1704
brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for
adding brake fluid) Engine/power
control unit cool-
ant level
( → P.390) •“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” or a
similar high quality
ethylene gly-
col-based non-sili-
cate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and
non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid
organic acid tech-
nology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50%
deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45%
deionized water.
•Funnel (used only for
adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( → P.388) •“Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or equiv-
alent
• Rag or paper towel
•Funnel (used only for
adding engine oil)
Fuses ( → P.414) •Fuse with same
amperage rating as
original
Radiator and con-
denser ( → P.391) ⎯Items Parts and tools

398 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(U) before serious problems arise.
 The tire pressure detected by the
tire pressure warning system can be
displayed on the multi-information
display. ( → P.86)
 If the tire pressure drops below a
predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a screen display and a
warning light. ( → P.431)
■
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not
replace routine tire inflation pressure
checks. Make sure to check tire inflation
pressure as part of your routine of daily
vehicle checks.
■
Tire inflation pressure
●
It may take a few minutes to display the
tire inflation pressure after the power
switch is turned to ON mode. It may also
take a few minutes to display the tire infla-
tion pressure after inflation pressure has
been adjusted.
●
Tire inflation pressu re changes with tem-
perature. The displayed values may also be different from the values measured
using a tire pressure gauge. ■
Situations in which the tire pressure
warning system may not operate prop-
erly ●
In the following cases, the tire pressure
warning system may not operate prop-
erly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• If a tire has been replaced with a tire that
is not an OE (Original Equipment) tire.
• If a tire has been replaced with a tire that
is not of the specified size.
• If tire chains, etc. are installed.
• 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 vehi-
cle, particularly around the wheels or
wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is much higher
than the specified level.
• If wheels not equipped with tire pressure
warning valves and transmitter are used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning
computer. ●
Performance may be af fected in the fol-
lowing situations.
• When driving near a TV tower, electric
power plant, gas stat ion, radio station,
large display, airport or other facility that
generates strong radi o waves or electri-
cal noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular
phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication device
If tire position information is not correctly
displayed due to the radio wave conditions,
the display may be corrected by changing
the location of the vehicle as the radio wave
conditions may change.
●
When the vehicle is stopped, the time
taken for the warning to start or turn off
may be longer.
●
When the inflation pressure of a tire
drops rapidly, for example when a tire has
burst, the warning may not operate.

419
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(U) 7 7
When trouble arises When trouble arises .
7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers.................. 420
If your vehicle has to be stopped in
an emergency .......................... 420
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
........................................................ 422
If you think something is wrong
........................................................ 426
If a warning light turns on or a
warning buzzer sounds ....... 427
If a warning message is displayed
........................................................ 437
If you have a flat tire.................. 442
If the hybrid system will not start
........................................................ 443
If you lose your keys ................. 444
If the fuel filler door cannot be
opened........................................ 445
If the electronic key does not
operate properly .................... 445
If the 12-volt battery is discharged
........................................................ 447
If your vehicle overheats ........ 453
If the vehicle becomes stuck
........................................................ 457

422 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(U) 7-2.Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be
towed If towing is ne cessary, we recom-
mend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or commercial
towing service, using a wheel-lift
type truck or flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all
towing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws. WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury. ■
When towing the vehicle 
2WD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the driv etrain and related
parts may be damaged, an accident may
occur due to a change in direction of the
vehicle or electricity generated by the
operation of the motor may cause a fire
to occur depending on the nature of the
damage or malfunction. 
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the driv etrain or related
parts may be damaged, the vehicle may
fly off the truck, or electricity generated
by the operation of the motor may cause
a fire to occur depending on the nature
of the damage or malfunction.
■
While towing ●
When towing using cables or chains,
avoid sudden starts, etc. which place
excessive stress on the towing eyelets,
cables or chains. The towing eyelets,
cables or chains may become dam-
aged, broken debris may hit people,
and cause serious damage.
●
Make sure to disable all functions of
the vehicle height control of the elec-
tronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change and part of your body may be
caught under the vehicle, possibly
causing injury. ( → P.301)
●
Do not turn the power switch off.
This may lead to an accident as the
rear wheels will be locked by the park-
ing lock.
Also, there is a possibility that the
steering wheel is locked and cannot be
operated.

4237-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(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.171, 437)
 There is a malfunction in the immo-
bilizer system. ( → P.66)
 There is a malfunction in the smart
access system with push-button
start. ( → P.445)
 The 12-volt battery is discharged.
( → P.447)
The following may indicate a problem
with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing
service before towing.
 The hybrid system warning message
is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle 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 power 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

424 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(U) 
From the front
Use a towing dolly under the rear
wheels. 
From the rear
Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
If your vehicle is transported by a flat-
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration. If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in
black must be 45°.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
Make sure to disable all functions of
the vehicle height control of the elec-
tronically modulated air suspension.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may
change and the vehicle may be dam-
aged. ( → P.301)
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using cables or chains
secured to the emergency towing eye-
lets. 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 Towing with a wheel-lift type
truck
Using a flatbed truck
Emergency towing

4257-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(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 hybrid system. If the hybrid system does not start, turn the
power switch to ON mode.
7 Shift the shift position to N and
release the parking brake. ■
While towing
If the hybrid system is off, the power assist
for the brakes and steering will not function,
making steering and braking more difficult.Emergency towing procedure
A
B

4577-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500h_OM_OM50F42U_(U) 7
When trouble arises 1 Stop the hybrid system. Set the
parking brake and shift the shift
position to P.
2 Remove the mud, snow or sand
from around the rear wheels.
3 Place wood, stones or some other
material under the rear wheels to
help provide traction.
4 Restart the hybrid system.
5 Shift the shift position to D or R and
release the parking brake. Then,
while exercising caution, depress
the accelerator pedal. ■
When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Press the switch to turn off TRAC.If the vehicle becomes stuck Carry out the following proce-
dures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Recovering procedure WARNING■
When attempting to free a stuck vehi-
cle
If you choose to push the vehicle back
and forth to free it, make sure the sur-
rounding area is clear to avoid striking
other vehicles, obje cts or people. The
vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge
back suddenly as it becomes free. Use
extreme caution. ■
When shifting the shift position
Be careful not to shift the shift position
with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to un expected rapid accel-
eration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
NOTICE■
To avoid damaging the transmission
and other components ●
Avoid spinning the rear wheels and
depressing the accelerator pedal
more than necessary. ●
If the vehicle remains stuck even after
these procedures are performed, the
vehicle may require towing to be freed.