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

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency .............................. 350
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................................... 350
If a warning message is displayed ...................................... 360
If you have a flat tire..................... 374
If the engine will not start ......... 383
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................. 384
If you lose your keys ................... 385
If the electronic key does not operate properly ...................... 386
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................. 389
If your vehicle overheats ........... 392
If the vehicle becomes stuck ... 395
6-1. Specifications............................ 398 Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 398
Fuel information ........................... 409
Tire information.............................. 412
6-2. Customization .......................... 424 Customizable features .............. 424
6-3. Initialization ............................... 429 Items to initialize ........................... 429 Reporting safety defects
for U.S. owners........................... 432
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 433
Abbreviation list .................................. 436
Alphabetical index.............................. 438
What to do if... ...................................... 449
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
CAUTION
●Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if the
engine is not running.
●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. 120, 122)
●When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing an accident.
●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.
■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.

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2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
CAUTION
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (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.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or
depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to engine
overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust
gases may collect and enter the vehicle, lead ing to death or a serious health hazard.
■When braking the vehicle
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid downhills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted brakes.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
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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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2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight cleaner switch (if equipped)
■The headlight cleaner can be operated when
When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the
headlight switch is turned on.
■Windshield washer linked operation
When the windshield washer is operated with the “ENGINE START STOP” switch
in IGNITION ON mode and the headlights on, the headlight cleaner will operate
once. (P. 1 4 3 )
NOTICE
■When the washer fluid tank is empty
Do not use this function when the washer fluid tank is empty. This may cause the
washer fluid pump to overheat.
Washer fluid can be sprayed on the headlights.
Press the switch to clean the
headlights.

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2-4. Using other driving systems
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC and hill-start
assist control systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the engine is
started or just after the vehicle begins to move. This sound does not indicate that
a malfunction has occurred in any of these systems.
●Any of the following conditions may occur when the above systems are operat-
ing. None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slightly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down slightly after the ABS is activated.
■LSD function
The LSD function is part of TRAC control. It maintains drive power by applying the
brakes to wheels that spin when accelerating during a turn, and operates even
when TRAC or TRAC/VSC operation is turned off. However, it will not operate
when the rear brakes are at a high temperature.
■Hill-start assist control is operational when
●The shift lever is in the D or M position.
●The brake pedal is not depressed.
■EPS operation sound
When the steering wheel operates, a motor sound (whirring sound) may be heard.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
■Reduced effectiveness of EPS
The effectiveness of EPS is reduced to prevent the system from overheating when
there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering wheel
may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input or
stop the vehicle and turn the engine OFF. Th e system should return to normal within
10 minutes.
■Automatic deactivation of “Sport” mode
When the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned OFF after driving in “Sport”
mode, the mode is automatically deactivated.

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3-5. Other interior features
Cigarette lighter
■The cigarette lighter can be used when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in ACCESSORY or IGNITION ON mode.
CAUTION
■When not in use
Keep the lid closed.
Injuries may result in the event of an accident or sudden braking.
■To avoid burns or fires
●Do not touch the metal parts of the cigarette lighter.
●Do not hold the cigarette lighter down . It could overheat and cause a fire.
●Do not insert anything other than the cigarette lighter into the outlet.
Push the back part of the lid to
open, and push the cigarette
lighter down.
The cigarette lighter will pop up
when it is ready for use.

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3-5. Other interior features
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Interior features
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat heater on
to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs,
cold remedies, etc.)
●Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature of the
seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects
(needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

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3-5. Other interior features
3
Interior features
CAUTION
■Burns
●Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat heater on
to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping drugs,
cold remedies, etc.)
●Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature of the
seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■To prevent seat heaters and ventilators damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp objects
(needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■To prevent battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the engine is not running.

When trouble arises5
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5-1. Essential information..... 340If your vehicle needs to be towed................................ 340
If you think something is wrong .................................. 346
Fuel pump shut off system.... 347
Event data recorder ............. 348 5-2. Steps to take in an
emergency ................... 350
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ................................. 350
If a warning message is displayed................................ 360
If you have a flat tire................ 374
If the engine will not start .... 383
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ....................... 384
If you lose your keys .............. 385
If the electronic key does not operate properly.......... 386
If the vehicle battery is discharged ............................ 389
If your vehicle overheats ..... 392
If the vehicle becomes stuck........................................ 395