Maint Lexus ES350 2008 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks, mir-
rors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other interior
features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-your-
self maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat tire,
or is involved in an accident.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For US ownersReporting safety defects for US owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
4
3-5. Using the storage features .... 250List of storage features.............. 250
• Glove box.................................... 250
• Console box ................................. 251
• Overhead console.................... 253
• Cup holders................................. 254
• Auxiliary box ............................... 256
3-6. Other interior features........... 257 Sun visors......................................... 257
Vanity mirror ................................. 258
Clock ................................................. 259
Ashtray ............................................ 260
Cigarette lighter ............................ 261
Power outlet ................................... 262
Seat heaters and ventilators ..................................... 263
Armrest ............................................ 265
Rear sunshade ............................... 266
Extended trunk............................. 268
Floor mat.......................................... 269
Trunk features................................ 270
Garage door opener.................. 272
Compass.......................................... 277
4-1. Maintenance and care............ 282 Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior................... 282
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ................... 285 4-2. Maintenance............................. 288
Maintenance requirements .... 288
General maintenance ............... 290
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ...................................... 293
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance............................ 294
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................................. 294
Hood................................................. 298
Positioning a floor jack............... 299
Engine compartment................... 301
Tires .................................................... 316
Tire inflation pressure................. 324
Wheels............................................. 328
Air conditioning filter................. 330
Electronic key battery ................ 332
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 334
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge
headlights).................................... 342
Light bulbs ....................................... 343
4Maintenance and care

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
5
5-1. Essential information .............. 352If your vehicle needs to be towed ....................................... 352
If you think something is wrong ........................................ 358
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 359
Event data recorder................... 360
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency .............................. 362
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................................ 362
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 373
If you have a flat tire.................... 384
If the engine will not start .......... 394
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P .............................. 396
If you lose your keys .................... 397
If the electronic key does not operate properly .............. 398
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................. 400
If your vehicle overheats .......... 403
If the vehicle becomes stuck............................................... 405 6-1. Specifications............................ 408
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 408
Fuel information............................. 418
Tire information ............................. 421
6-2. Customization .......................... 433 Customizable features .............. 433
6-3. Initialization ............................... 438 Items to initialize .......................... 438
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 440
Abbreviation list .................................. 442
Alphabetical index.............................. 444
What to do if... ...................................... 454
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For US owners
Index

70
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of engine immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system (key
with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
■Certifications for the engine immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in the USA
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. For vehicles sold in Canada
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation of the device.
The vehicle's keys have built-in tran sponder chips that prevent the engine
from starting if the key has not been previously registered in the vehicle's
on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch has been turned OFF to
indicate that the system is oper-
ating.
FCC ID: NI4TMIMB-1

109
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if the
engine is not running.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. (→P. 117)
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in an accident.
■When shifting the shift lever
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.

139
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control (if equipped)
Use the cruise control to maintain a set speed without using the accelera-
t o r.
■ Set the vehicle speed
Turn the ON-OFF button ON.
Push the button once more to
deactivate the cruise control.
Accelerate or decelerate to the
desired speed and press the
lever down to set the cruise
control speed.
■ Adjusting the speed setting
Increase speed
Decrease speed
Hold the lever until the desired
speed setting is obtained.
STEP1
STEP2

142
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Dynamic radar cruise control (if equipped)
Dynamic radar cruise control supplements conventional cruise control
with a vehicle-to-vehicle distance control. In the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control mode, the vehicle automatically accelerates or decelerates
in order to maintain a set following distance from vehicles ahead.
■ Select cruise mode
Selecting vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance control modeTurn the ON-OFF button
ON.
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Selecting conventional con-
stant speed control mode Turn the ON-OFF button
ON.
Push the button once more to
deactivate.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance con-
trol mode is always reset when
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch is switched to IGNITION
ON mode.
Switch to constant speed
control mode.
(push and hold for approxi-
mately one second)

146
2-4. Using other driving systems
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)Example of follow-up cruising (when following a vehicle driving slower
than the set speed): When the speed is set to 62 mph (100 km/h) and
the vehicle ahead is driving at 50 mph (80 km/h)
The system continues follow-up cruising while adjusting for changes in the
speed of the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the vehicle-to-vehicle dis-
tance set by the driver.
Example of acceleration (when there are no longer vehicles driving
slower than the set speed in the lane ahead): When the speed is set to
62 mph (100 km/h) and the vehicle ahead driving at 50 mph (80 km/
h) is out of the lane
When the vehicle ahead of you executes a lane change, the system slowly
accelerates until the set vehicle speed is reached. The system then returns to
fixed speed cruising.
■Fine adjustment of the set speed
Adjustment of the set speed by the following speed can be made by lightly pressing
the lever up or down and releasing it.
In the constant speed control mode: Approximately 1.0 mph (1.6 km/h)
In the vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode: USA: Approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
Canada: Approximately 3 mph (5 km/h)
■Dynamic radar cruise control warning lights, messages and buzzers
Warning lights, messages and buzzers are used to indicate a system malfunction or
to alert you to the need for caution while driving. ( →P. 3 7 3 )
■The dynamic radar cruise can be set when
●The shift lever is in D or the 4, 5 or 6 range of S.
●Vehicle speed is between approximately 30 mph (45 km/h) and 85 mph (135
km/h).
■Accelerating
The vehicle can be accelerated normally.

157
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Driving assist systems
When the VSC and TRAC systems are operatingIf the vehicle is in danger of slip-
ping, or if the front wheels spin, the
slip indicator light flashes to indi-
cate that the VSC and TRAC sys-
tems have been engaged.
A buzzer (intermittent) sounds to
indicate that VSC is operating.
To help enhance driving safety and performance, the following systems
operate automatically in response to various driving situations. Be aware,
however, that these systems are suppl ementary and should not be relied
upon too heavily when operating the vehicle.
■ ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Restrains the vehicle from slipping when driving on slick road surfaces or
in the event of sudden braking.
■Brake assist
Generates an increased level of braking force after the brake pedal is
depressed, when the system detects a panic stop situation.
■VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)
Helps the driver to control skidding when swerving suddenly or turning on
slippery road surfaces.
■TRAC (Traction Control)
Maintains drive power and prevents the front wheels from spinning when
starting the vehicle or accelerating on slippery roads.
■PCS (Pre-Collision System) (if equipped)
→ P. 1 6 0

163
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
2-5. Driving information
Cargo and luggage
Capacity and distributionCargo capacity depends on the total weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and lug- gage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (150 × 5) = 650
lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Take notice of the following information about storage precautions, cargo
capacity and load.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible. Be sure
all items are secured in place.
● Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the weight as far for-
ward as possible helps maintain vehicle balance.
● For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary weight.