2011 Lexus IS 350 Owners Manual - Page 493

5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If the vehicle becomes stuck Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes stuck in mud, dirt, or snow. STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or N (vehicles with a manual transmission). Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire. Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide traction under the tires. Restart the engine. Shift the shift lever to the D or R position (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or 1 or R position (vehicles with a manual transmission), release the parking brake and carefully apply the accelerator to free the vehicle. Turn off TRAC and VSC if these functions are hampering your attempts to free the vehicle. (→ P. 187) CAUTION n When attempting to free a stuck vehicle If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surrounding area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme caution. n When shifting the shift lever With automatic transmission vehicles, be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious injury. 504