check engine Lexus GS350 2008 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2008 GS460/350 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM30A87U)

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
4
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
3-4. Using the hands-free system 
(for cellular phone)................. 291
Hands-free system 
(for cellular phone) .................... 291
Using the Bluetooth
® 
phone ............................................. 296
Setting the hands-free 
system ............................................... 311
3-5. Using the interior lights .......... 337 Interior lights list............................ 337
3-6. Using the storage features .... 340 List of storage fe atures.............. 340
3-7. Other interior features........... 347 Sun visors......................................... 347
Vanity mirror ................................. 348
Clock ................................................. 349
Outside temperature 
display ........................................... 350
Ashtrays ............................................ 351
Cigarette lighter ........................... 352
Power outlet .................................. 353
Seat heaters/vent ilators ............ 354
Armrest ........................................... 356
Rear sunshade ............................... 357
Floor mats....................................... 359
Trunk features............................... 360
Garage door opener .................. 363
Compass.......................................... 369
Lexus Link System ....................... 373 4-1. Maintenance and care........... 388
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle exterior.................. 388
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle interior ..................... 391
4-2. Maintenance.............................. 394 Maintenance requirements ..... 394
General maintenance ................ 396
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs ...................................... 399
4-3. Do-it-yourself 
maintenance........................... 400
Do-it-yourself service 
precautions ................................. 400
Hood................................................. 403
Positioning a floor jack............... 404
Engine compartment................. 406
Tires .................................................... 421
Tire inflation pressure.................. 431
Wheels.............................................. 435
Air conditioning filter.................. 437
Electronic key battery ................ 440
Checking and replacing 
fuses ................................................ 442
Headlight aim................................. 467
Light bulbs ....................................... 470
4Maintenance and care

47
1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
GS_G_U
June 15, 2008 11:26 am
Driving position memory system (if equipped)
Your preferred driving position (the position of the driver’s seat, steering
wheel and outside rear view mirrors) can be entered into the computer’s
memory and recalled with the touch of a bu tton. It is also possible to set this
function to activate automatically when the doors are unlocked. 
Three different driving positions can be entered into memory.
The same buttons are found on the fr ont passenger’s side, allowing the
position of the front passenger’s seat to be memorized.
■ Entering a position to memory
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP ” switch to IGNITION ON
mode.
Adjust the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and outside rear view
mirrors to the desired positions.
While pushing the “SET” button,
push button “1”, “2” or “3” until
the signal beeps.
If the selected button has
already been preset, the previ-
ously recorded position will be
overwritten.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3STEP3

48
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
GS_G_U
June 15, 2008 11:26 am
Linking driving position memory with door unlock operation (driver
side only)
Memorized driving positions can be recalled when you unlock the
driver’s door using the entry functi on or wireless remote control and
open the driver’s door. Steering wh eel position is recalled when the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch is s et to the IGNITION ON mode.
■ Setting the linked door unlock operation
Set the driving positions into the memory system using the “1”, “2”
or “3” buttons on the driver’s side. ( P. 4 7 )
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to the OFF, then close
the driver’s door.
■ Recalling the memorized position
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP ” switch to IGNITION ON
mode.
Push button “1”, “2” or “3” to
recall the memorized position.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP1
STEP2

114
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running.
This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator
pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could result in
death or serious injury.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in
operating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly, allowing you to depress the brake and accelerator pedals prop-
erly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your right foot. Depressing the brake pedal using your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an acci-
dent.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials. 
The exhaust system and exhaust gases ca n be extremely hot. This may cause a
fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●Do not let the vehicle roll backwards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or
roll forward while the shift lever is in “R”. 
Doing so may cause the engine not to oper ate or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
●If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and check
that the trunk is closed. 
Large amounts of exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and an acci-
dent, resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus deal er immediately.
●Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to “P”, “R” or “N” while the
vehicle is moving. 
Doing so can cause significant damage to the automatic transmission and may
result in a loss of vehicle control.

115
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not shift the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake not to operate properly and lead to an
accident.
●Do not turn the engine off while driving. 
The power steering and brake actuator (GS460) or brake booster (GS350) will
not operate properly if the engine is off.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill. 
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( P. 1 2 7 )
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backwa rd or forward and causing an accident.
●Be careful when driving on slippery surfaces, as the vehicle may spin or skid when
downshifting, rapidly accelerating, braking or turning.
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving. 
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents that may
result in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bodies are
not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

116
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and reduce
your ability to control the vehi cle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-shifting
or down-shifting, may cause the vehicl e to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make sure that
the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent the brakes from
functioning properly. If the brakes on on ly one side are wet and not functioning
properly, steering control may be af fected, resulting in an accident.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. 
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine. 
If the vehicle is in any positions other than “P” or “N” the vehicle may accelerate
suddenly and unexpectedly, and may cause an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine on for a long time. 
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space and
check that exhaust fumes do no t enter the vehicle interior.
●Always keep a foot on the brake pedal while the engine is running to prevent an
accident caused by the vehicle moving.

117
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehi-
cle when it is in the sun. 
Failure to do so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic material of eye glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the co ntents to spray over the interior of
the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical com-
ponents.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to “P”, stop the engine and
lock the vehicle. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattend ed while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately after
turning the engine off. 
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it is
snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is running,
exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehi cle. This may lead to death or a seri-
ous health hazard.
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon mono xide (CO) that is colorless and odor-
less. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated ar ea, stop the engine. In a closed area, such
as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead to
death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or crack caused by
corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise, be sure to have the vehi-
cle inspected and repaired by your Lexus dealer. Failure to do so may allow
exhaust gases to enter the vehicle, result ing in death or a serious health hazard.

120
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
NOTICE
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 515)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, automatic
transmission, transfer (4WD models), differentials, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaf t (4WD models), bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

121
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Engine (ignition) switch
■Starting the engine
Check that the parking brake is set.
Check that the shift lever is set in “P”.
Sit in the driver’s seat and firmly depress the brake pedal.
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch indicator turns green.
Press the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

124
2-1. Driving procedures
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the accelera-
tor pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances. 
Doing so may cause an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine in an emergency
If you want to stop the engine in an emergency while driving the vehicle, push and
hold the “ENGINE START STOP” switch for more than 3 seconds. 
However, do not touch the “ENGINE START STOP” switch while driving except in
an emergency. If the engine stops while the vehicle is being driven, this could lead to
an unexpected accident.
NOTICE
■To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION
ON mode for long periods if the engine is not running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race the engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.