service Lexus IS250 2008 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
4
3-4. Using the storage features .... 236List of storage features............... 236
• Glove box..................................... 236
• Console boxes ........................... 237
• Overhead console................... 238
• Cup holders................................. 239
• Bottle holders/door pockets ................................ 241
3-5. Other interior features........... 242 Sun visors......................................... 242
Vanity mirror .................................. 243
Clock ................................................. 244
Satellite switches .......................... 245
Ashtrays .......................................... 248
Cigarette lighter ........................... 249
Power outlet .................................. 250
Seat heaters ..................................... 251
Seat heaters and ventilators ..................................... 253
Armrest ............................................ 255
Rear sunshade ............................... 256
Trunk storage extension........... 258
Coat hooks ..................................... 259
Floor mat......................................... 260
Trunk features................................. 261
Garage door opener.................. 264
Compass........................................... 269 4-1. Maintenance and care............ 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......................... 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............................ 277
4-2. Maintenance............................. 280 Maintenance requirements.............................. 280
General maintenance ................ 282
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ..................................... 285
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance............................ 286
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................................. 286
Hood................................................. 289
Positioning a floor jack.............. 290
Engine compartment.................. 292
Tires .................................................. 306
Tire inflation pressure.................. 316
Wheels............................................. 320
Air conditioning filter.................. 322
Electronic key battery ................ 325
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 327
Headlight aim.................................. 341
Light bulbs ....................................... 342
4Maintenance and care

08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
17
Scrapping of your Lexus
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your Lexus contain explosive
chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left
as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the systems of
the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed and disposed of by a qualified
service shop or by your Lexus dealer before you scrap your vehicle.
Perchlorate Material
Special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Your vehicle has components that may contain perchlorate. These components may
include airbag, seat belt pretensioners, and wireless remote control batteries.
CAUTION
■General precautions while driving
Driving under the influence: Never drive your vehicle when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs that have impaired your ability to operate your vehicle. Alcohol
and certain drugs delay reaction time, impair judgment and reduce coordination,
which could lead to an accident that will hurt or kill you, your occupants or others.
Defensive driving: Always drive defensively. Anticipate mistakes that other drivers
or pedestrians might make and be ready to avoid accidents.
Driver distraction: Always give your full attention to driving. Anything that distracts
the driver, such as adjusting controls, talking on a cellular phone or reading can
result in a collision with resulting death or serious injury to you, your occupants or
others.
■General precaution regarding children’s safety
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or
use the key.
Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral. There is
also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the cigarette
lighter, the windows, the moon roof, or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat
build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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 appropriate 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 or purchase a set of
tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and the same brand, and that
chains match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a window 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 accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumulated 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.

189
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing. Shift the shift lever to neutral.
Switch to ACCESSORY mode. ( →P. 1 1 9 )
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned OFF.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driv-
ing the vehicle.
■Necessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Contact
the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recommended
equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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3-2. Using the audio system
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■When the battery is disconnected
Stations presets are erased.
■Reception sensitivity
●Maintaining perfect radio reception at all times is difficult due to the continually
changing position of the antenna, differences in signal strength and surrounding
objects, such as trains, transmitters, etc.
●The radio antenna is mounted inside the rear window. To maintain clear radio
reception, do not attach metallic window tinting or other metallic objects to the
antenna wire mounted inside the rear window.
■XM® Satellite Radio
The optional Lexus genuine satellite radio tuner and antenna allows you to receive
and play XM
® Satellite Radio broadcasts. (Subscription is required. Not available
in Hawaii and Alaska.)
*
●XM® subscriptions
For detailed information about XM® Satellite Radio or to subscribe:
U. S .A . 
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.com
or call 1-877-515-3987.
Canada 
Visit on the web at www.xmradio.ca
or call 1-877-438-9677.
●Radio ID
You will need the radio ID when activating XM
® service or reporting a prob-
lem. Select "CH000" using , and the receiver's 8-character ID number
will appear.
●Satellite tuner
The tuner supports only Audio Services (Music and Talk) and the accompany-
ing Text Information of XM
® Satellite Radio.
*: Terms and services provided by XM® Satellite Radio are subject to change with-
out notice.

Maintenance and care4
273
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
4-1. Maintenance and care ............................... 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior.............. 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 277
4-2. Maintenance .................. 280 Maintenance requirements ....................... 280
General maintenance ......... 282
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 285
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................ 286
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 286
Hood ......................................... 289
Positioning a floor jack ......... 290
Engine compartment ............ 292
Tires ............................................ 306
Tire inflation pressure ............ 316 Wheels ...................................... 320
Air conditioning filter ........... 322
Electronic key battery.......... 325
Checking and replacing
fuses ........................................ 327
Headlight aim .......................... 341
Light bulbs................................ 342

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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts be used for repair to ensure perfor-
mance of each system. If non-Lexus parts are used in replacement or if a repair
shop other than a Lexus dealer performs repairs, confirm the warranty coverage.
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular main-
tenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform regular
checks. Lexus recommends the following maintenance.
■General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily ba sis. This can be done by yourself
or by a Lexus dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified intervals according to the mainte-
nance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the
“Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supplement/
Scheduled Maintenance”.
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.
The use of Lexus Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Owner’s Guide”,
“Warranty and Services Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or
“Warranty Booklet”.

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information. They are well informed about the operations of all
systems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has been
performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise while your
vehicle is under warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it.
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
It could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible serious injury or death.
■Warning in handling of battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash
any affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after han-
dling. (→P. 3 0 2 )

282
4-2. Maintenance
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 3 0 2 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? (→P. 3 0 1 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? (→P. 2 9 9 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? (→P. 2 9 5 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(
→P. 3 0 1 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? (→P. 3 0 5 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Services Guide” or “Owners
Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.

285
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which include
OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system monitors the oper-
ation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in
the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test
and may need to be repaired. Cont act your Lexus dealer to service
the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set du ring ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator la mp goes off after several driv-
ing trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.