Originally Posted by lovetennis

This is how you unlock the trunk when the battery is dead: Turning the mechanical key rearward unlocks the driver's door. Turning the key once again unlocks the other doors (including the trunk).
I, too had a dead battery at the airport parking lot on a rainy cold night this past week. Called AAA and technician had no clue how to jump my car from the hood. Called a good friend and called AAA again. Second AAA tech had no clue how to jump the car from the hood, but my smart friend figured it out and told the AAA tech how. Okay good, car started and good to go. But it would have been simple if I could have gotten to the 12 V battery in the trunk to start the car. I called Lexus next day and they said I could not get in trunk when battery is dead. Googled it and all I found was this forum where no one had an idea. Kept searching and found the answer. I just knew there had to be a way!
p.s. there is no manual trunk release on my Lexus 450h that I could find in the cargo area.

Originally Posted by jagtoes

It was a federal law around 2000-2002 the mandated a trunk release inside the trunk. All cars were required to have it. The only way I know how to get into the ES350 trunk with a dead battery is to reach in with a pole/hook or a coat hanger and pull the release down. If you are a little paranoid you can fix a cable to the pull handle and run it back to the arm rest access hole . That way you will always have a manual way to get the trunk open. As for jumper cables they have "smart" cables which don't allow you to hook them up backwards. If you are going to get a battery charger/starter pack buy a good one and it will last a long time. They are not cheap and if you want to know a good brand go to a auto body shop/wrecker and see what they use.

Originally Posted by lovetennis

I have a SUV and there is no manual release for the cargo door. It makes perfectly good sense there should be one. Maybe SUVs are not regulated by this law.

Originally Posted by jagtoes

I suspect SUV's don't fall into this law because you can get to the back door from the inside. The trunk law was to prevent someone (kids) from getting locked in the trunk.

Originally Posted by oldgrump

There is an emergency release (in addition to the legislated "T" handle release) just aft of the pass thru access door. There is a loop of cable about 3 inches aft of the access door at about the same height as the top of the door opening. If you pull the cable loop towards the driver side, you'll release the trunk latch. The loop is in somewhat of a recess, so you have to feel for it.

Originally Posted by capnfred

make hook with a coat hanger, reach in and pull the release, as for the jumper cable issue, as long as you don't hook them up back wards jumper cables will not hurt a thing....do you really believe that chinese crap they sell in Walmart is safer than a battery, that has a fixed output.... probably about 12.7 volts under no load max....just my humble opinion based on about 60 years of experience working with electricity.... its not black magic, just plain old physics and math..... so you guys use your gizmos, and I will carefully use my jumper cables.... I know and understand hi-tech, but the key is KISS, got that beat into my head over the years, guess what IT WORKS! Look for the easy stuff first before you go looking for the exotic stuff,,,,, the electronics rarely fails, its conectors, wires, fuses, and sensors, probably in that order, I read a post not long ago from a long time Toyota Mech, "have rarely seen any ECU fail" Solid state electronics is pretty bullet proof, as long as it is not stressed by either too much heat, current, or voltage....so again, KISS. As for the trunk, push comes to shove pull the rear seat, remove the cover and climb into the trunk, find the release, and manually pull it. Have used that technique getting into trunks in junk cars.....found lots of neat things the yard operators did not know were there because the only way they know to get into a trunk is with a dent puller or a crowbar..... my way is pretty painless.. and it follows the KISS principle, Keep it Simple Stupid.........

capn

Originally Posted by gparodi

It is simple. Remove the emergency key from the remote. To the left of the trunk release is a key slot. Insert the key and turn. The trunk will open.

Originally Posted by lovetennis

...I am very disappointed the Lexus dealership could not tell me turning the mechanical/manual key twice would unlock all the doors even when the battery is dead.

Originally Posted by oldgrump

There is an emergency release (in addition to the legislated "T" handle release) just aft of the pass thru access door. There is a loop of cable about 3 inches aft of the access door at about the same height as the top of the door opening. If you pull the cable loop towards the driver side, you'll release the trunk latch. The loop is in somewhat of a recess, so you have to feel for it.

Originally Posted by gparodi

It is simple. Remove the emergency key from the remote. To the left of the trunk release is a key slot. Insert the key and turn. The trunk will open.

Originally Posted by gparodi

It is simple. Remove the emergency key from the remote. To the left of the trunk release is a key slot. Insert the key and turn. The trunk will open.