Lexus GS250 2012 Owner's Manual

643
6Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
6-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ......... 644
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior .......... 648
6-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements ................... 651
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions...................... 654
Hood ................................. 657
Positioning a floor jack ..... 658
Engine compartment ......... 660
Tires .................................. 672
Tire inflation pressure ....... 689
Wheels .............................. 691
Air conditioning filter ....... 693
Electronic key battery ....... 695
Checking and replacing
fuses ................................ 698
Light bulbs ........................ 720

6446-1. Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
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.
Automatic car washes
Fold the mirrors before washing the vehicle. Start washing from the front of
the vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.
Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
Rear spoiler (if equipped) may not be washable in some automatic car
washes. There may also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.
High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of
the windows.
Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in
prime condition:

6456-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When using a car wash
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effec-
tive range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the
following correction procedures to wash the vehicle:
Place the key in a position 2 m (6 ft.) or more separate from the vehicle
while the vehicle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not
stolen.)
Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart entry &
start system. (P. 1 2 9 )
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
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Front side windows water-repellent coating
The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-repel-
lent coating.
• Remove any dirt, etc. from the front side windows regularly.
• Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the windows for a long
period.
Clean the windows with a soft, damp cloth as soon as possible.
• Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning
the windows.
• Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.
When the water-repellent performance has become insufficient, the coating
can be repaired. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
Outside rear view mirror rain-clearing coating (if equipped)
Observe the following precautions in order to retain the rain-clearing proper-
ties of the mirrors:
Clean the mirrors using a car shampoo or glass cleaner that does not contain
silicone or an abrasive compound, and rinse thoroughly with water.
Allow the mirrors to be exposed to direct sunlight for 1 to 2 days.

6466-1. Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
When cleaning the windshield (with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
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
Precautions regarding the exhaust pipes and rear bumper diffusers
Exhaust gases cause the exhaust pipes and rear bumper diffusers to become
quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipes and diffusers
until they have cooled sufficiently, as touching hot exhaust pipes and rear
bumper diffusers can cause burns.
Set the wipers to the intermittent wind-
shield wipers. (P. 245)
If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers
may operate unexpectedly in the follow-
ing situations, and may result in hands
being caught or other serious injuries and
cause damage to the wiper blades.

6476-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
NOTICE
To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components
(aluminum 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 to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
When using an automatic car wash (with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
Set the wipers to the intermittent windshield wipers. (P. 245)
If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers may operate and the wiper blades
may be damaged.

6486-1. Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces
with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
Wipe off any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened
with diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool detergent.

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.
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.
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior
and keep it in top condition:
Protecting the vehicle interior
Cleaning the leather areas
Cleaning the synthetic leather areas

6496-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Caring for leather areas
Lexus recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to
maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge
or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water.
Wipe dirty surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keep-
ing the carpet as dry as possible.
Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
When cleaning the carpeted portions of the glove box, console box, etc.
If a strong adhesive tape is used, there is a possibility that the surface of the
carpet could be damaged.
CAUTION
Water in the vehicle
Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.
Doing so may cause electrical components etc. to malfunction or catch
fire.
Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior
wet.
(P. 46)
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect
off the windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.

6506-1. Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
NOTICE
Cleaning detergents
Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco-
hol
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
When cleaning the inside of the windshield (vehicles with LKA [Lane-
Keeping Assist])
Be careful not to touch the camera sensor (P. 274).
If the camera is accidentally scratched or hit, LKA may not operate prop-
erly or may cause a malfunction.
Cleaning the inside of the rear window
Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause dam-
age to the rear window defogger heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth
dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe
the window in strokes running parallel to the heater wires or antenna.
Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.

651
6 6-2. Maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Maintenance requirements
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Lexus
Service Booklet” or “Lexus Warranty Booklet”.
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little
mechanical ability and a few basic automotive tools.
Note, however, that some maintenance tasks require special tools and
skills. These are best performed by qualified technicians. Even if you’re
an experienced do-it-yourself mechanic, we recommend that repairs and
maintenance be conducted by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional. Any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer will keep a record of maintenance, which could be use-
ful should you ever require Warranty Service. Should you choose to select
a qualified and equipped professional other than an authorized Lexus
repairer to service or maintain your vehicle, we recommend that you
request that a record of maintenance be kept.
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regu-
lar maintenance are essential. Lexus recommends performing the
following maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance

6526-2. Maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Where to go for service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Lexus rec-
ommends that all repairs and service operations be carried out by authorized
Lexus dealers or repairers or other duly qualified and equipped professionals.
For repairs and services covered by your warranty, please visit an authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, who will use genuine Lexus parts in repairing any
difficulties you may encounter. There can also be advantages in utilizing
authorized Lexus dealers or repairers for non-warranty repairs and services,
as members of the Lexus network will be able to expertly assist you with any
difficulties you may encounter.
Your Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably
and economically due to their experience with Lexus vehicles.
Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condi-
tioning system after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)
Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 9 9 )
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.