coolant temperature Lexus ES350 2012 Owner's Manual

139
2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
ES350_U
Instrument panel light controlThe brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted. Brighter
Darker
When the headlight switch is
turned to ON, the brightness will
be reduced slightly unless the con-
trol dial is turned fully up.
Odometer and trip meter
●Odometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
●Trip meter
Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since the meter was
last reset. Trip meters A and B can be used to record and display differ-
ent distances independently.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red zone (H). In
this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after
it has cooled completely. (→P. 4 8 0 )

196
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
●Tire inflation pressure falls in winter as the outside temperature
falls. Add 2.9 to 4.3 psi (20 to 30 kPa, 0.2 to 0.3 kgf/cm2 or bar)
to the standard tire inflation pressure.

372
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_U
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury.
■When working on the engine compartment:
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
●Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted
surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille:
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is OFF.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high. (→P. 3 8 4 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the eyes.

5
When trouble arises
437
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

480
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine immediately and call your local Lexus
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and inspect
the radiator core (radiator) for
any leaks.
If the engine compartment
cover needs to be removed:
→P. 3 7 8
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

5
When trouble arises
481
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if engine coolant
is unavailable. (→P. 4 9 0 )
Install the reservoir cap.
Make sure that the engine cool-
ant reservoir hose is positioned
as shown in the illustration.
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP5
STEP6

490
6-1. Specifications
ES350_U
Oil viscosity (5W-30 is explained here as an example):
• The 5W in 5W-30 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold
startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of
the engine in cold weather.
• The 30 in 5W-30 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher
value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or
under extreme load conditions.
How to read oil container label:
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Com-
mittee) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to help you
select the oil you should use.
Cooling system
Capacity9. 5 q t .
(9.0 L, 7.9 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type
Use either of the following.
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-sili-cate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate cool-
ant with long-life organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.

542
Alphabetical index
ES350_U
Emergency flashersSwitch ......................................................430
Engine Compartment ......................................377
Engine switch.........................................128
Hood........................................................ 374
How to start the engine....................128
Identification number....................... 487
If the engine will not start ............... 470
Ignition switch........................................128
Overheating........................................ 480
Engine compartment cover .............378
Engine coolant Capacity.................................................490
Checking ............................................... 382
Preparing and checking
before winter ......................................196
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ....................................................... 138
Engine immobilizer system................... 81
Engine oil Capacity.................................................489
Checking ............................................... 379
Preparing and checking
before winter ......................................196
Event data recorder ...............................20
Floor mat .................................................. 337
Fluid Brake........................................................384
Power steering fluid .........................385
Washer ...................................................389
Fog lights Switch ........................................................154
Wattage.................................................. 495 Foot well lighting.....................................312
Front fog lights
Switch........................................................ 154
Wattage ................................................. 495
Front passenger occupant classification system ............................ 99
Front passenger's seat belt reminder light .......................................441
Front seats Adjustment .............................................. 50
Driving position memory ................... 51
Seat position memory........................ 55
Front side marker lights Replacing light bulbs ....................... 420
Wattage ................................................. 495
Front turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ....................... 420
Wattage ................................................. 495
Fuel Capacity ................................................488
Fuel gauge .............................................. 138
Fuel pump shut off system ............ 438
Gas station information ................. 552
Information ........................................... 496
Refueling ....................................................78
Fuel door ..................................................... 78
Fuel filler door ........................................... 78
Fuel pump shut off system.................438
Fuses .......................................................... 409
Garage door opener .......................... 340
Gas station information ..................... 552
Gauges ...................................................... 138
Glove box ..................................................316
Glove box light ........................................316
Grocery bag hooks .............................338
F
G

550
ES350_U
What to do if...
What to do if...
A tire puncturesP. 4 6 1If you have a flat tire
The engine does not start
P. 4 7 0If the engine will not start
P. 8 1Engine immobilizer system
P. 4 7 7If the vehicle battery is discharged
The shift lever cannot be
moved outP. 4 7 2If the shift lever cannot be shifted
from P
The engine coolant temperature
gauge enters the red zone
Steam can be seen coming
from under the hood
P. 4 8 0If your vehicle overheats
The key is lostP. 4 7 3If you lose your keys
The battery runs outP. 4 7 7If the vehicle battery is discharged
The doors cannot be lockedP. 4 2Doors
The horn begins to soundP. 8 3Alarm
The vehicle is stuck in mud or
sandP. 4 8 3If the vehicle becomes stuck