check engine Lexus GS250 2014 Owner's Guide

455 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■Removing the engine compartment cover
XRight-hand side
XCenter
■Installing the clipsPush up center portion
Insert
Press
Engine compartment cover
1
2
3
NOTICE
■Checking the engine compartment cover after installation
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.
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4566-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine and
turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the oil
level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may differ depending on the type of vehicle or
engine.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
XFlat dipstickXNon-flat dipstick
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457 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as that already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following situa-
tions, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be refilled in
between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or after
replacing the engine
●If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or when
driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
6
Engine oil selection →P. 635, 640
Oil quantity (Low → Full) 1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3
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4586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin
disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not dis-
pose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
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459 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
(→ P. 6 2 5 )
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -35 °C [-31 °F])
For more details about engine coolant, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock and
water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional, test the cap and check for leaks in the
cooling system.
Engine coolant
1
2
3
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461 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Check the battery as follows.
■Caution symbols
The meanings of each caution symbol on the top of the battery are as
follows:
Radiator and condenser
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious inju-
ries, such as burns.
Battery
No smoking, no naked
flames, no sparksBattery acid
Shield eyesNote operating instruc-
tions
Keep away from childrenExplosive gas
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471 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fabric,
and bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles wi th the tire pressure warning system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered, the
tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about 10 min-
utes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a sys-
tem malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■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.
■When rotating the tires (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system featuring a
tire inflation pressure display function)
Make sure that the engine switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the engine switch
is in IGNITION ON mode, the tire position information will not be updated.
If this accidentally occurs, either turn the engine switch to off and then to IGNITION
ON mode, or initialize the system after checking that the tire pressure is properly
adjusted.
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4926-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
Checking and replacing fuses
Turn the engine switch off.
After a system failure, see “Fuse layout and amperage ratings” for
details about which fuse to check. (→P. 4 9 7 )
Open the fuse box cover.
XEngine compartment: type A fuse box (left-hand drive vehicles)
Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
XEngine compartment: type A fuse box (right-hand drive vehicles)
Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check an d replace the fuses as necessary.
1
2
3
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5146-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Light bulbs
Check the wattage of the light bulb to be replaced. (→P. 6 4 7 )
→ P. 4 5 5
You may replace the following bulbs by yourself. The difficulty level of
replacement varies depending on th e bulb. As there is a danger that
components may be damaged, we recommend that replacement is
carried out by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
Preparing for light bulb replacement
Removing the engine compartment covers
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5507-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
Vehicles with a compact spare tire: The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning
light will not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire: The spare tire is also equipped with a tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter. The tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire
inflation pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning
light will not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function properly
→P. 4 7 2
■If the tire pressure warning light freque ntly comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute when
the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, have it checked by any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an audio
sound.
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