check engine Lexus IS250 2012 User Guide

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
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. Turning the engine off while driving will not cause loss of steering or
braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it
more difficult to steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so.
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
IS350/250_U
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 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.

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2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
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 engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red zone (H). In
this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after
it has cooled completely. (→P. 5 1 3 )

166
2-2. Instrument cluster
IS350/250_U
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.
*1: These lights turn on when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch isturned to IGNITION ON mode to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after the engine is started, or after a
few seconds. 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.
*2: The light flashes to indicate that the system is operating.
■ Warning lights
Warning lights inform the driver of malfunctions in any of the vehi-
cle’s systems. ( →P. 4 7 1 )
*: 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 engine 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)(U.S.A.)(Canada)
(U.S.A.)(Canada)(for
driver)(for front
passen-
ger)
******
******

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2-2. Instrument cluster
IS350/250_U■
Gear position display
(vehicles with an automatic transmission only)
Indicates the current gear, and the range of gears
that is available when the shift lever is in the D or S
position. The gear range is shown by the number of
dots ( •) and the current gear is shown as a number.
The transmission automatically selects the gears
within the driver selected gear range.
In the illustration to the left, a range of 6 available gears
(1 through 6) has been selected by the driver. (The shift
lever is in the D or S position with 6 ranges enabled.) It is
possible for the transmission to automatically select
between all 6 of the gears. In this case, the transmission
has selected third gear.
■System check display
After switching the “ENGINE START STOP” switch to IGNITION ON mode,
“CHECK” is displayed while system operation is checked. When the system check
is complete, “COMPLETED” is displayed before returning to the normal screen.
■Outside temperature display
In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be displayed, or
the display may take longer than normal to change.
●When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
●When the outside temperature has changed suddenly (at the entrance/exit of a
garage, tunnel, etc.)

185
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
2
When driving
IS350/250_U
Headlight cleaner switch∗
■The headlight cleaner can be operated when
The “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode and the headlight
switch is turned on.
■Windshield washer linked operation
Only for the first time 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 7 8 )
■When using the headlight cleaner
The washer fluid will spray out into the surrounding area and may get on clothes,
items etc. Therefore, check the surrounding area before using the headlight
cleaner.
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.
∗: If equipped

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2-5. Driving information
IS350/250_U
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.

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3-7. Other interior features
IS350/250_U
Floor mat
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause the driver's floor mat to slip, possibly interfering with the
pedals while driving. An unexpectedly high speed may result or it may become diffi-
cult to stop the vehicle, leading to a serious accident.
■When installing the driver's floor mat
●Do not use floor mats designed for other models or different model year vehicles,
even if they are Lexus Genuine floor mats.
●Only use floor mats designed for the driver's seat.
●Always install the floor mat securely using the retaining hooks (clips) provided.
●Do not use two or more floor mats on top of each other.
●Do not place the floor mat bottom-side up or upside-down.
■Before driving
Use only floor mats designed specifically for vehicles of the same model
and model year as your vehicle. Fix them securely in place onto the carpet.
Fix the floor mat in place using
the retaining hooks (clips) pro-
vided.
The shape of the retaining hooks
(clips) and the fixing procedure
of the floor mat for your vehicle
may differ from those shown in
the illustration. For details, refer
to the floor mat retention clip
installation instructions supplied
with the clips.
●Check that the floor mat is securely fixed in
the correct place with all the provided
retaining hooks (clips). Be especially care-
ful to perform this check after cleaning the
floor.
●With the engine stopped and the shift lever
in P (automatic transmission) or N (manual
transmission), fully depress each pedal to
the floor to make sure it does not interfere
with the floor mat.

Maintenance and care4
377
IS350/250_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 378
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............. 382
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ....................... 385
General maintenance .......... 387
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 390 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ............................ 391
Hood .......................................... 394
Positioning a floor jack ......... 395
Engine compartment ........... 397
Tires............................................. 412
Tire inflation pressure........... 424
Wheels ...................................... 428
Air conditioning filter ........... 430
Electronic key battery.......... 433
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 435
Headlight aim ......................... 449
Light bulbs................................. 451

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 4 0 8 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? (→ P. 4 0 6 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? (→P. 404)
Engine oilAt the correct level? (→ P. 4 0 1 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(→ P. 4 0 6 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? (→ P. 411)
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.