Maintenance Lexus ES350 2009 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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 ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
4
3-4. Using the interior lightsInterior lights list............................ 253
• Interior lights ............................... 255
• Personal lights ............................ 255
3-5. Using the storage features List of storage features............... 256
• Glove box..................................... 256
• Console box ................................ 257
• Overhead console.................... 259
• Cup holders................................ 260
• Auxiliary box ............................... 262
3-6. Other interior features Sun visors......................................... 263
Vanity mirror .................................. 264
Clock ................................................. 265
Ashtray ............................................. 266
Cigarette lighter ........................... 267
Power outlet .................................. 268
Seat heaters .................................... 269
Seat heaters and ventilators ..... 271
Armrest ............................................ 273
Rear sunshade ............................... 274
Extended trunk.............................. 276
Floor mat.......................................... 277
Trunk features................................ 278
Garage door opener................. 280
Compass......................................... 286 4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......................... 292
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............................ 295
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .... 298
General maintenance ............... 300
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ..................................... 303
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ................................. 304
Hood................................................. 308
Positioning a floor jack.............. 309
Engine compartment..................... 311
Tires ................................................... 326
Tire inflation pressure................. 334
Wheels............................................. 338
Air conditioning filter................. 340
Electronic key battery ................ 342
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 344
Headlight aim................................. 352
Light bulbs ....................................... 354
4Maintenance and care

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2
3
4
5
6
7
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers..................... 364
If your vehicle needs to be towed.............................................. 365
If you think something is wrong .............................................. 371
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 372
Event data recorder.................... 373
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds... ...... 375
If a warning message is displayed...................................... 386
If you have a flat tire..................... 397
If the engine will not start .......... 407
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................. 409
If you lose your keys ..................... 410
If the electronic key does not operate properly .......................... 411
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................... 413
If your vehicle overheats ............ 416
If the vehicle becomes stuck .... 419 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)..................... 422
Fuel information............................ 432
Tire information ............................ 435
6-2. Customization Customizable features .............. 447
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ........................... 452
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 454
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 455
Abbreviation list ................................... 458
Alphabetical index............................... 460
What to do if... ....................................... 470
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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
FCC ID: NI4TMIMB-1
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.

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2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (→P. 3 3 4 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendation.
●All trailer lights work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
1000 lb. (450 kg).
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
r e a r.

Maintenance and care4
291
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 292
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 295
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ....................... 298
General maintenance ......... 300
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 303 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 304
Hood .......................................... 308
Positioning a floor jack ......... 309
Engine compartment ............. 311
Tires............................................ 326
Tire inflation pressure........... 334
Wheels ...................................... 338
Air conditioning filter ........... 340
Electronic key battery.......... 342
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 344
Headlight aim ......................... 352
Light bulbs................................ 354

292
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows.
●Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed prop-
e r l y.
■Touch-up paint (if equipped)
Touch-up paint may be used to cover small chips or scratches.
Apply the paint soon after the damage occurs or corrosion may set in. To apply the
touch-up paint so it is hardly noticeable the trick is to apply it only to the bare spots.
Apply only the smallest amount possible and do not paint the surface around the
scratch or chip.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condi-
tion.
● Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

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4-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard brushes
or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners. Use the same
mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■To prevent deterioration and do by corrosion
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, ironpowder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled suffi-
ciently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

294
4-1. Maintenance and care
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
NOTICE
■To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.
■Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
●Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■When using an automatic car wash (vehicles equipped with the rain-sensing
windshield wipers)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in AUTO, the wipers may
operate and the wiper blades may be dam-
aged.
Off

295
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle's interior and keep
it in top condition:
■Protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces
with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
●Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool deter-
gent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe
off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining
moisture. Allow the leather to dry in shaded and ventilated area.
■ Synthetic leather areas
●Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a sponge
or soft cloth.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the dirt
and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.