tow Lexus IS250 2009 Owner's Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
1
1Before drivingAdjusting and operating features such as door locks, mir-
rors, and steering column.
2When drivingDriving, stopping and safe-driving information.
3Interior featuresAir conditioning and audio systems, as well as other interior
features for a comfortable driving experience.
4Maintenance
and careCleaning and protecting your vehicle, performing do-it-your-
self maintenance, and maintenance information.
5When trouble
arisesWhat to do if the vehicle needs to be towed, gets a flat tire,
or is involved in an accident.
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
3
Manual transmission .................... 137
Turn signal lever ............................ 139
Parking brake ................................. 140
Horn...................................................... 141
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ..................... 142
Indicators and warning lights................................................. 148
Multi-information display ............. 151
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................ 156
Fog light switch .............................. 159
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 160
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 165
2-4. Using other driving systems Cruise control ................................ 166
Dynamic radar cruise control............................................. 170
Intuitive parking assist ................. 180
Driving assist systems.................. 186
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ............ 192 2-5. Driving information
Cargo and luggage ...................... 196
Vehicle load limits......................... 199
Winter driving tips ...................... 200
Trailer towing ................................. 204
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic
transmission) .............................. 205
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission) ........... 206
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
Automatic air conditioning system ............................................. 210
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers ............. 218
3-2. Using the audio system Audio system type ........................ 219
Using the radio.............................. 222
Using the CD player................... 229
Playing back MP3 and WMA discs.................................. 235
Optimal use of the audio system ............................................. 241
Using the AUX adapter............ 244
Using the steering wheel audio switches ............................ 245
3Interior features

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2
3
4
5
6
7
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers..................... 372
If your vehicle needs to be towed ....................................... 373
If you think something is wrong ......................................... 379
Fuel pump shut off system ....... 380
Event data recorder ..................... 381
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................................... 383
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 392
If you have a flat tire..................... 404
If the engine will not start ........... 413
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................... 415
If you lose your keys ..................... 416
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........................ 417
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................... 421
If your vehicle overheats ........... 424
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................................ 427 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 430
Fuel information............................ 446
Tire information ............................ 449
6-2. Customization Customizable features ............... 461
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ........................... 467
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 470
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ...................................... 471
Abbreviation list ................................... 474
Alphabetical index............................... 476
What to do if... ....................................... 486
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

28
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
■Operation signals
A buzzer sounds and the emergency flashers flash to indicate that the doors have
been locked/unlocked. (Locked: Once; Unlocked: Twice)
■Conditions affecting operation
The smart access system with push-button start uses weak radio waves. In the fol-
lowing situations, the communication between the electronic key and the vehicle
may be affected, preventing the smart access system with push-button start from
operating properly:
(Ways of coping:

P. 4 1 7 )
●When the electronic key battery is depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display,
airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
●When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wire-
less communication devices
●When the electronic key is in contact with, or is covered by the following metal-
lic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
•Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When multiple electronic keys are in the vicinity
●When another wireless key (that emits radio waves) is being used nearby
●When carrying or using the electronic key together with the following devices
that emit radio waves
• Another vehicle's electronic key or a wireless key that emits radio waves
• Personal computer or personal digital assistant (PDA)
• Digital audio player
• Portable game system
●If window tint with a metallic content or metallic objects are attached to the rear
window

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1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
Head restraints
■Removing the head restraints (front and center rear seat)
Vertical adjustmentUp
Pull the head restraints up.
Down
Front and center rear seat: Push
the head restraint down while
pushing the lock release button.
Folding operation (outside rear
seats)
To stow the head restraint by
folding it forward, pull the head
restraint up while pushing the
lock release button. Only the
button on the right stay (when
facing the front of the vehicle)
can be used to fold the head
restraint forward.
Lock release button
Lock release button
Pull the head restraint up while pushing the
lock release button.

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1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
■Removing the head restraints (outside rear seats)
■Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■When using the rear seat head restraints
Center rear seat: Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position
when using.
Outside rear seats: Make sure the head restraints are not in the stowed/folded
position while in use.
CAUTION
■Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to do so
may result in death or serious injury.
●Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
●Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
●Do not drive with the head restraints removed.
Pull the head restraint up while pushing both
of the lock release buttons.
Lock release button
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

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1
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Before driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
Steering wheel (power-adjustable type)
Auto tilt awayWhen the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch is turned OFF, the
steering wheel returns to its
stowed position by moving up and
away to enable easier driver entry
and exit.
Switching to ACCESSORY or
IGNITION ON mode will return
the steering wheel to the original
position.
The steering wheel can be adjusted to a comfortable position.
Up
Down
Away from the driver
Toward the driver

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1-7. Safety information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedalscomfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm)
distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the
back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to
see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

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1-7. Safety information
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean
against the dashboard.
●Do not allow a child to stand in front of the
SRS front passenger airbag unit or sit on
the knees of a front passenger.
●Do not drive the vehicle while the driver or
passenger have items resting on their
knees.
●Do not lean against the door, the roof side
rail or the front, side and rear pillars.
●Do not allow anyone to kneel on the pas-
senger seat toward the door or put their
head or hands outside the vehicle.

When driving2
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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle................... 116
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 126
Automatic transmission ......... 131
Manual transmission .............. 137
Turn signal lever ....................... 139
Parking brake ........................... 140
Horn ............................................. 141
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 142
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 148
Multi-information display ...... 151
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch...................... 156
Fog light switch ........................ 159
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 160
Headlight cleaner switch...... 165 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control.......................... 166
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 170
Intuitive parking assist ........... 180
Driving assist systems ............ 186
PCS (Pre-Collision System) ........ 192
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ................ 196
Vehicle load limits ................... 199
Winter driving tips ................. 200
Trailer towing .......................... 204
Dinghy towing (vehicles with
an automatic
transmission) ........................ 205
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a
manual transmission) ......... 206