maintenance Lexus ES350 2012 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ES350_U
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.
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners, and seat belt and
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
ES350_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior.................. 358
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ..................... 361
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ..... 364
General maintenance ................ 366
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ...................................... 369
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................................. 370
Hood.................................................. 374
Positioning a floor jack............... 375
Engine compartment.................. 377
Tires .................................................. 390
Tire inflation pressure................. 399
Wheels............................................. 403
Air conditioning filter................. 405
Electronic key battery ................ 407
Checking and replacing fuses ............................................... 409
Headlight aim ................................. 418
Light bulbs ....................................... 420 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ................... 430
If your vehicle needs to be towed .............................................. 431
If you think something is wrong ............................................. 437
Fuel pump shut off system ....... 438
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................................ 439
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 449
If you have a flat tire...................... 461
If the engine will not start .......... 470
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P .............................. 472
If you lose your keys .................... 473
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............... 474
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................... 477
If your vehicle overheats .......... 480
If the vehicle becomes stuck............................................... 483
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ...... 484
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
ES350_U
6-1. SpecificationsMaintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 486
Fuel information ............................ 496
Tire information............................. 499
6-2. Customization Customizable features.................. 511
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ............................ 519
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 522
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 523
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 525 Abbreviation list ................................... 536
Alphabetical index ............................. 538
What to do if... ...................................... 550
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

82
1-6. Theft deterrent system
ES350_U
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 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.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates correctly
Do not modify or remove the system. If modified or removed, the proper operation
of the system cannot be guaranteed.

84
1-6. Theft deterrent system
ES350_U
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure of the
following:
●Nobody is in the vehicle.
●The windows and moon roof are closed before the alarm is set.
●No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following situations:
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm system.)
●The doors are unlocked using the mechani-
cal key.
●A person inside the vehicle opens a door,
the trunk or hood.
●The battery is recharged or replaced when
the vehicle is locked.

Maintenance and care4
357
ES350_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 358
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............... 361
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ........................ 364
General maintenance .......... 366
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs
................................. 369 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 370
Hood ........................................... 374
Positioning a floor jack ......... 375
Engine compartment ............ 377
Tires............................................ 390
Tire inflation pressure........... 399
Wheels ...................................... 403
Air conditioning filter ........... 405
Electronic key battery.......... 407
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 409
Headlight aim .......................... 418
Light bulbs................................ 420

358
ES350_U
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-
erly.
■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.

359
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U
■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.
●Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after driving
for long distance in the hot weather.
●Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
CAUTION
■When cleaning the windshield
●When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is located is
touched by hand
●When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor
●If something bumps against the windshield
●If you directly touch the raindrop sensor body or if something bumps into the
raindrop sensor
■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.
Set the wiper switch to off.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers
may operate unexpectedly in the following
situations, and may result in hands being
caught or other serious injuries and cause
damage to the wiper blades.
Off

360
4-1. Maintenance and care
ES350_U
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (alu-
minum wheels etc.)
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the paint
surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron
powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with 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.
●To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place with
low humidity when storing the wheels.
■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
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 damaged.

361
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U
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 a 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.