check engine Lexus GS350 2012 Owner's Guide

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.

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
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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
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5
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Type AType B
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663 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil consumption
The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the quality
of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil may
have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L/1000 km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 Imp.qt./600
miles)
If your vehicle consumes more than 1.0 L (1.1 qt., 0.9 Imp.qt.) every 1000
km (600 miles), contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
Engine oil selectionP. 839, 842, 844
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
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6646-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
Used engine oil
Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and 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 dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning 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 a 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.

665 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line. (P. 829)
Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate cool-
ant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -35C [-31F])
For more details about engine coolant, contact any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
other duly qualified and equipped professional, test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Engine coolant
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667 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign
objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle inspected by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional.
Check the battery as follows.
Caution symbols
The meanings of each caution symbol on the top of the battery
are as follows:
Radiator and condenser
CAUTION
When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious
injuries, such as burns.
Battery
No smoking, no naked
flames, no sparksBattery acid
Shield eyesNote operating instruc-
tions
Keep away from chil-
drenExplosive gas

677 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage
A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not regis-
tered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving
for about 10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and
stays on to indicate a system malfunction.
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it
has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pres-
sure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine
of daily vehicle checks.
When rotating the tires (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system featur-
ing a tire inflation pressure display function)
Make sure that the engine switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the
engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the tire position information will
not be updated.
If this accidentally occurs, either turn the engine switch to off and then to
IGNITION ON mode, or initialize the system after checking that the tire
pressure is properly adjusted.

7006-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Checking and replacing fuses
Turn the engine switch off.
After a system failure, see “Fuse layout and amperage ratings”
for details about which fuse to check. (P. 705)
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment: type A fuse box (left-hand drive vehicles)
Push the tab in and lift the lid
off.
Engine compartment: type A fuse box (right-hand drive vehicles)
Push the tab in and lift the lid
off.
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
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7226-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Light bulbs
Check the wattage of the light bulb to be replaced. (P. 852)
P. 661
You may replace the following bulbs by yourself. The difficulty
level of replacement varies depending on the bulb. As there is a
danger that components may be damaged, we recommend that
replacement is carried out by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Preparing for light bulb replacement
Removing the engine compartment covers