check engine Lexus IS F 2008 Do-It-Yourself Maintenance /

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
NOTICE
■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 an d fluid used for the engine, transmission,
differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-1. Driving procedures
Engine (ignition) switch
Modes can be switched by pressing the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
when carrying the electronic key on your person. (The engine can be
started in any mode by operating the switch at the same time as depressing
the brake pedal.)
■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

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When starting the engine
Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not press the accelera-
tor while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting 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 battery discharge
Do not leave the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in ACCESSORY or IGNITION
ON mode for long periods without the engine running.
■When starting the engine
●Do not race a cold engine.
●If the engine becomes difficult to start or stalls frequently, have the engine
checked immediately.

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2-1. Driving procedures
■Downshift restrictions warning buzzer
To help ensure safety and driving performance, downshifting operation may some-
times be restricted. In some circumstance s, downshifting may not be possible even
when the shift lever or paddle shift switch is operated. (A buzzer will sound twice.)
■When driving with the cruise contro l or dynamic radar cruise control
Engine braking will not occur during shif t range selection in the D position, even
when downshifting to range 7, 6, 5 or 4. ( P. 147, 150)
■Automatic deactivation of snow mode and “Sport” mode
If the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in either snow
mode or “Sport” mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.
■If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P
P. 3 8 4
■If is not displayed after shifting the shift lever to M
●Within a few seconds of turning the “E NGINE START STOP” switch to ON, the
transmission will not go into M mode if the shift lever is moved to the M position.
This is because a system check is being performed. In this case, wait a moment
and then try moving the shift lever to the M position again.
●If the display does not change to on an occasion other than that
described above, it may indicate a malfunction in the automatic transmission
system. Have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
■Automatic gear selection when the vehicle is stopped
●When the vehicle comes to a stop, the tr ansmission will automatically downshift
to allow you to start off in 1st gear.
●When the vehicle is idling at high rpm in order to warm up, and the vehicle is on
a slippery road, the transmission will automatically shift to 2nd gear for stopping
and starting off.

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2-1. Driving procedures
Turn signal lever
■Turn signals can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■If the indicators flash faster than usual
Check that a light bulb in the front or rear turn signal lights has not burned out.
Right turn
Left turn
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The right hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.
Move and hold the lever part-
way to signal a lane change
The left hand signal will flash
until you release the lever.

134
2-2. Instrument cluster
CAUTION
■If a safety system warning light does not come on
Should a safety system light such as the ABS and SRS warning light not come on
when you start the engine, this could mean that these systems are not available to
help protect you in an accident, which could result in death or serious injury. Have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately if this occurs.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehi-
cle’s systems. ( P. 350)
*: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned
to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is being per-
formed. They will turn off after the en gine is started, or after a few sec-
onds. There may be a malfunction in a system if a light does not come on,
or if the lights do not turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(Canada)(U.S.A.)
(Canada)(U.S.A.)(if equipped)(for
driver)(for front
passenger)
******
*******

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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
■The windshield wiper and washer can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.
■Effects of vehicle speed on wiper operation
With the settings other than “AUTO” also, the time until drip prevention wiper
sweep occurs is changed depending on vehicle speed.
With “LO” selected, wiper operation will be switched from low speed to intermit-
tent wiper operation only when the vehicle is stationary.
■“A U T O ” m o d e
■Outside rear view mirror defogger activa tion linked to windshield wiper opera-
tion
The outside rear view mirror defogger au tomatically turns on when you operate the
windshield wipers.
■If no windshield washer fluid sprays
Check that the washer nozzles are not blocked if there is washer fluid in the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
Settings (e.g. drip prevention function) can be changed.
(Customizable features P. 4 2 4 )
The raindrop sensor judges the amount of
raindrops.
The sensitivity of sensor can be adjusted by
turning the knob.
Decreases the sensitivity (-)
Increases the sensitivity (+)

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2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropria te to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires.
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and the same brand.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a w indow or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumu lated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumul ated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.

Maintenance and care4
263
4-1. Maintenance and care ............................... 264
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 264
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 267
4-2. Maintenance .................. 270 Maintenance requirements ........................ 270
General maintenance .......... 272
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs................................ 275 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance ................ 276
Do-it-yourself service precautions ............................ 276
Hood ........................................... 279
Positioning a floor jack ......... 280
Engine compartment ........... 282
Tires............................................ 296
Tire inflation pressure........... 307
Wheels ........................................ 311
Air conditioning filter ............ 313
Electronic key battery........... 316
Checking and replacing fuses ......................................... 318
Headlight aim ......................... 332
Light bulbs ................................ 334

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4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (P. 2 9 2 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? ( P. 2 9 0 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? ( P. 2 8 8 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? ( P. 2 8 4 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
( P. 2 9 0 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? ( P. 2 9 5 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “War ranty and Services Guide” or “Owners
Manual Supplement”. It is recomme nded that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.