Lexus GS250 2012 Owner's Manual

6536-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible death or serious injury.
Handling of the battery
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after
handling.
(P. 667)

6546-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the cor-
rect procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (P. 667)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine coolant level (P. 665)
•“To y o t a Super Long Life Cool-
ant” or a similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite and non-
borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding
coolant)
Engine oil level (P. 662)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Fuses (P. 700)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original

655 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Light bulbs (P. 722)
• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator and condenser (P. 667)
Tire inflation pressure (P. 691)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d (P. 671)
• Water or washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding
water or washer fluid)
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
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 driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and 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, consult a doctor.
ItemsParts and tools

6566-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans
may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the cool-
ant temperature is high. (P. 667)
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine
wear due to dirt in the air. Also, a backfire could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

657
6 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Hood
Pull the hood lock release
lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch
lever and lift the hood.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
1
2
CAUTION
Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in
motion and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.

6586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Positioning a floor jack
Front
2WD models
AWD models
Rear
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause
injury.

659 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury:
When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided
with the jack.
Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is sup-
ported only by the floor jack.
Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and
shift the shift lever to P.
Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not place any object on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

6606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Engine compartment
For right-hand drive vehicles:
The battery and the fuse box in front of the battery are located on the oppo-
site side of the engine compartment.
Fuse boxes (P. 700)
Battery (P. 667)
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 662)
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 665)Engine oil filler cap
(P. 663)
Washer fluid tank (P. 671)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser (P. 667)
Radiator (P. 667)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

661 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Removing the engine compartment cover
Right-hand side
Center
Installing the clips
Push up center portion
Insert
Press
Engine compartment cover
1
2
3
NOTICE
Checking the engine compartment cover after installation
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.

6626-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the
oil level on the dipstick.
Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Low
Full
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
Type AType B
6