oil level Lexus IS350 2012 Owner's Manual / LEXUS 2012 IS250,IS350 OWNERS MANUAL (OM53A87U)

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashe rs..................... 462
If your vehicle needs to be towed.............................................. 463
If you think something is wrong ............................................. 469
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 470
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ......................................... 471
If a warning message is displayed ........................................ 481
If you have a flat tire..................... 492
If the engine will not start ........... 501
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................. 503
If you lose your keys ................... 504
If the electronic key does not operate properly .............. 505
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................... 510
If your vehicle overheats ............ 513
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................................. 516
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ....... 518 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 520
Fuel information ............................ 537
Tire information.............................. 541
6-2. Customization Customizable features.............. 553
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize .......................... 559
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 562
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 563
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ................................... 565
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners

206
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 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 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.

387
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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. 4 0 4 )
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. 4 1 1 )
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.

392
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Engine oil level (P. 4 0 1 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 4 3 5 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 4 2 4 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Headlight aim ( P. 4 4 9 )• Phillips-head screwdriver
Radiator and condenser
(P. 4 0 6 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d ( P. 4 1 1 )
• Water washer fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter use)
•Funnel

397
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
IS350
Battery (P. 4 0 8 )
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 4 0 1 )
Engine oil filler cap (P. 4 0 1 )
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 4 0 6 )
Fuse boxes ( P. 435)Washer fluid tank
(P. 411)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 4 0 6 )
Radiator ( P. 4 0 6 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 4 0 4 )

398
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS250
Battery (P. 4 0 8 )
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 4 0 1 )
Engine oil filler cap (P. 4 0 1 )
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 4 0 6 )
Fuse boxes ( P. 435)Washer fluid tank
(P. 411)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 4 0 6 )
Radiator ( P. 4 0 6 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 4 0 4 )

401
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperat ure and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level grou nd. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

402
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the
engine.
Make sure to check th e oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selection P. 5 2 4
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

403
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Engine oil consumption
●The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the quality of
the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
●More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
●A new engine consumes more oil.
●When judging the amount of oil consumpt ion, keep in mind that the oil may
have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
●Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles (0.9 Imp. qt./600 miles, 1.0 L/1000
km)
●If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.) every 600 miles
(1000 km), contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin
disorders such as inflammati on or skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not dis-
pose of used oil and filters in househol d trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

404
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.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.