check engine Lexus GS350 2008 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2008 GS460/350 (OM30A87U) Owner's Guide

413
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin
disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not dis-
pose of used oil and filters in househol d trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CoolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain cock and water
pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer pressure test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Enabled: -31F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44 F [-42C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects. 
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator and reservoir cap. 
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding the coolant
Coolant is neither plain water not straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of water
and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion protection
and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to pr event it from damaging to parts or paint.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser, as they may be hot and you may be burned.

442
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have blown.
If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to OFF.
Remove the engine compartment cover if necessary.
P. 4 0 8
Open the fuse box cover.
■ Engine compartment
Type A
Push the tabs in and lift the lid
off.
Type B Push the tabs in and lift the lid
off.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

470
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Light bulbs
You may replace the following bulbs yourself. For more information about
replacing other light bulbs, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Prepare a replacement light bulb
Check the wattage of the light bulb being replaced. ( P. 5 5 2 )
■ Remove the engine compartment cover if necessary
 P. 4 0 8
■ Front bulb locations
■ Rear bulb locations
Parking light
Headlight high beam
Rear turn signal light Back-up light

492
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
■Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
●If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection
sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not sitting in
the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may not operate properly.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the following:
●The airbag sensor assembly
●Front airbag sensors
●The curtain shield and rear side airbag sensors
●The side and curtain shield airbag sensors
●The front passenger occupant classification ECU
●“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights
●The pressure sensor
●The belt tension sensor
●The seat belt buckle switches
●The driver’s seat position sensor
●The inflators
●The warning light
●The interconnecting wiring and power sources
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently
when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, have
it checked by your Lexus dealer.

504
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
The engine oil level is low.Check the engine oil level,
and add if necessary.

Low tire inflation pres-
sure.Check the tire inflation
pressure, and adjust to the
appropriate level.
(U.S.A. only)
The engine oil should be
changed.
Check and change the
engine oil.
Comes on approximately
5000 miles (8000 km)
after the engine oil is
changed (and the oil
maintenance data has
been reset).

508
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem, check
that the warning message and light turn off.
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
Once(Comes on for 10 seconds.)
(Flashing)
The electronic key
is not detected
when attempting
to start the
engine.Confirm the
location of
the elec-
tronic key.
Once3 times
(Flashing)
An open door
other than the
driver’s door is
closed while the
electronic key is
outside the detec-
tion range and the
“ENGINE START
STOP” switch is in
ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON
mode.
Confirm the
location of
the elec-
tronic key.

5
When trouble arises
519
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may lead to death or injuries due to the vehicle sud-
denly falling off the jack.
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire. 
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do no t use other tire jacks for replacing tires
on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greate r than that required to replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle supported by a jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the jack.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one working on or
near the vehicle may be injured.
■Replacing a flat tire
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury.
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts. 
The oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts to loosen, causing a serious accident.
Remove any oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
●Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5
kgf•m) as soon as possible after changing wheels. 
Failure to follow these precautions could cause the nuts to loosen and the wheels
may fall off, which could lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.

5
When trouble arises
531
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
■Starting the engine when the 12 volt battery is discharged
The engine cannot be started by push-starting.
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the engine is turned off.
●Turn off any unnecessary electrical compon ents when the vehicle is running at a
low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
■When the 12 volt battery is removed or discharged
The following systems must be initialized.
●Tire pressure warning system (P. 4 2 2 )
●Intuitive parking assist (P. 5 0 7 )
CAUTION
■Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flammable
gas that may be emitted from the battery.
●Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it is not
unintentionally in contact with any pa rt other than the intended terminal.
●Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” termi-
nals.
●Do not allow open flame or use matches, cigarette lighters or smoke near the
battery.
Maintain the engine speed on th e second vehicle and turn the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch to the IGNITION ON mode,
then start the vehicle’s engine.
Once the vehicle’s engine ha s started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse ord er in which they were con-
nected.
Once the engine starts, have the ve hicle checked at your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible.STEP5
STEP6