2019 LEXUS LS500 emergency towing

4097-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises 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 or an accident
may occur due to a change in direction
of the vehicle. 
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.
■
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.293)
●
Do not turn the engine 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.

410 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 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.167, 425)
 There is a malfunction in the engine
immobilizer system. (  P.63)
 There is a malfunction in the smart
access system with push-button
start. (  P.433)
 The battery is discharged.
(  P.435)
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

4117-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises 
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.293)
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

412 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 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

444 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 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, objects 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 unexpected 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.

508 Alphabetical Index
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 Tires
Chains .............................................................. 301
Checking ....................................................... 382
If you have a flat tire .................................. 429
Inflation pressure........................................395
Information .................................................... 457
Replacing .........................................................391
Rotating tires ................................................384
Run-flat tires .....................................384, 429
Size.................................................................... 452
Snow tires ..................................................... 300
Tire inflation pressu re display function
.........................................................................384
Tire pressure warning system .............384
Warning light .................................................419
Top tether strap............................................... 55
Total load capacity ....... ............................... 446
Towing
Dinghy towing ...............................................163
Emergency towing ...................................409
Towing eyelet ................................................ 412
Trailer towing .................................................163
TRAC (Traction Control) ........................ 295
Traction Control (TRAC) ........................ 295
Trailer towing ..................................................163
Transmission
Automatic transmission ............................ 167
Driving mode select switch ..................289
M mode ............................................................ 172
Paddle shift switches ...... .................... 171, 172
Snow mode ......................................................171
Trip meters .................................................74, 79
Trunk .................................................................. 104
Hands Free Power Trunk Lid ...............107
Internal trunk release lever .................... 109
Power trunk opener and closer .......... 106
Smart access system with push-button
start ..................................................................107
Trunk closer switch.................................... 108
Trunk easy closer........................................ 108
Trunk features..............................................340
Trunk grip ....................................................... 108 Trunk lid light.................................................108
Trunk light .......................................................108
Trunk opener main switch........................ 110
Trunk opener switch ................................. 106
Wireless remote control ......................... 107
Trunk lid light .................................................. 108
Trunk light ........................................................ 108
Turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ............................... 404
Turn signal lever ...........................................173 U
USB charging ports.................................... 343 V
Vanity lights.................................................... 347
Vanity mirrors ............................................... 347
Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS)295
VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Man-
agement)...................................................... 295
Vehicle data recordings ..................................6
Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Manage-
ment (VDIM).............................................. 295
Vehicle identification number ................ 446
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) ........... 294
Ventilators (seat ventilators)................... 326
VGRS (Variable Gear Ratio Steering)295
VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) ........... 294
W
Warning buzzer
Hands off steering wheel alert (LTA)236
LTA (Lane-Tracing Assist) ...................228
Warning buzzers
ABS .....................................................................417
Airbags............................................................. 416
Approach warning.................................... 243
Brake hold ..................................................... 422
Brake Override System ...........................417
Brake system................................................. 415