coolant Lexus IS F 2008 Do-It-Yourself Maintenance /

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2-1. Driving procedures
Selecting gears in the M positionTo enter M mode, shift the shift lever to the M position. Gears can then be
selected by operating the shift lever or paddle shift switches, allowing you
to drive in the gear of your choosing.
Upshifting
Downshifting
The gear changes once every time
the shift lever or paddle shift switch
is operated.
The selected gear, from 1 to 8, will
be displayed in the meter cluster.
When in the M position, the gear will not change unless the shift lever or
paddle shift switches are operated.
However, even when in the M positi on, the gears will be automatically
changed in the following situations:
● When vehicle speed drops (downshift only).
● When the automatic transmission flu id or engine coolant temperature
is low.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Displays the engine coolant temperature.
Odometer and trip meter
Odometer: Displays the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
Trip meter: Displays the distance the vehicle has been driven since
the meter was last reset. Trip meters “A” and “B” can be
used to record and display different distances indepen-
dently.
Fuel gauge
Displays the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank.
Odometer/trip meter and trip meter reset button
Switches between odometer and trip meter displays. Pushing and holding
the button will reset the trip meter when the trip meter is being displayed.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which indi-
cates the maximum engine speed.
●The following may indicate that the engine is overheating. Immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe place. (
P. 3 9 2 )
• The engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red zone (H)
• The display on the engine oil temperature gauge flashes
■When driving the vehicle
If the display on the voltage gauge starts to flash while the engine is running, it may
indicate that there is a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system. Have your vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

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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.

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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.

276
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure as given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition (P. 2 9 2)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 2 9 0 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 2 8 8 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high-quality ethylene gly-
col-based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant and
45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, 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 driv-
ing as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easi ly, such as paper or 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.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille:
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is OFF.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high. ( P. 2 9 0 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the 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.

282
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Battery (P. 2 9 2 )
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 2 8 4 )
Engine oil filler cap (P. 2 8 4 )
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 290)
Fuse boxes ( P. 318)Washer fluid tank
(P. 2 9 5 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 2 9 0 )
Radiator ( P. 2 9 0 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 2 8 8 )

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine 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.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, coolant reservoir cap, drain cock and water
pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer 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 engine coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the coolant 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 engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor 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 prevent damage to parts or paint.