tow Lexus IS350C 2012 Owner's Manual / LEXUS 2012 IS250C,IS350C OWNERS MANUAL (OM53A62U)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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.
6Vehicle
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for US owners, and seat belt and
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of informat ion contained in this manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle ........................ 138
Engine (ignition) switch .............. 148
Automatic transmission.............. 153
Manual transmission .................... 160
Turn signal lever ............................ 162
Parking brake ................................. 163
Horn.................................................... 165
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ..................... 166
Indicators and warning lights.................................................. 172
Multi-information display........... 176
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch ............................. 181
Fog light switch .............................. 185
Windshield wipers and washer............................................. 187
Headlight cleaner switch ........... 194 2-4. Using other driving systems
Cruise control ................................ 195
Dynamic radar cruise control............................................. 199
Intuitive parking assist ................. 213
Driving assist systems.................. 219
Hill-start assist control ............... 225
PCS (Pre-Collision System).... 227
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ..................... 234
Vehicle load limits ........................ 237
Winter driving tips ....................... 238
Trailer towing ................................. 242
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an automatic
transmission) ............................... 243
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual
transmission) ............................... 244
2When driving

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
6
5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers.................... 486
If your vehicle needs to be towed ....................................... 487
If you think something is wrong ......................................... 493
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 494
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................................ 495
If a warning message is displayed ...................................... 504
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with standard
tires) ................................................. 518
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with run-flat
tires) ................................................ 527
If the engine will not start .......... 529
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P......................... 531
If you lose your keys .................... 532
If the electronic key does not operate properly .............. 533
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................. 538
If your vehicle overheats ........... 542 If the vehicle becomes
stuck................................................ 545
If the retractable hardtop does not close............................. 547
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ...... 557
6-1. Specifications Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 560
Fuel information ............................ 578
Tire information............................ 582
6-2. Customization Customizable features.............. 595
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize .......................... 600
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 602
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ................................... 603
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ................................... 606
5When trouble arises
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners

36
1-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and trunk
■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 betw een 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. 5 3 3 )
●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 wi th, 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
●Immediately after the retractable hardtop is opened or closed

76
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
Steering wheel
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

87
1-4. Opening and closing the windows and retractable hardtop
1
Before driving
Luggage coverThe luggage cover is used to ensure that there is enough space for the
retractable hardtop to be stored.
Proper installation of the luggage cover enables retractable hardtop
operation.
Pull the board of the luggage
cover toward you to unhook the
hooks.
Pull the luggage cover further until
the tabs on the sides of the cover fit
securely into the holders on the
sides of the trunk.
Make sure the upper part of the
board is securely positioned in the
holders.
Fit the tabs on the bottom of the
luggage cover int o the holders on
the floor of the trunk.
Make sure the lower part of the
board is securely positioned in the
holders on the floor.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

113
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
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 th e 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 pedals
comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle designs vary, many dr ivers 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, ti lt 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.

115
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
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.
●Do not allow anyone to kneel on the pas-
senger seat toward the door or put their
head or hands outside the vehicle.

134
1-7. Safety information
Pass the end of the top tether strap
through the gap between the seat
and the head restraint. Fold the
head restraint forward into the
stowed position. (P. 67) Open
the anchor bracket cover, latch the
hook onto the anchor bracket and
tighten the top tether strap. Return
the head restraint to the upright
position.
Make sure the top tether strap is
securely latched.
Close the anchor bracket cover
after install the child restraint sys-
tem.
STEP2
■When installing a child restraint system with lower anchors and a top tether strap
Depending on the child restraint system's si ze and shape, if the child restraint sys-
tem is installed to the LATCH anchors first, it may not be possible to attach the top
tether strap to the anchor bracket.
In that case, first temporarily attach the top tether strap to the anchor bracket, install
the child restraint system using the lowe r anchors and then tighten the top tether
strap.
■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchorages
The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.
Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications
can be used.
This vehicle is designed to conform to the SAE J1819.

When driving2
137
2-1. Driving proceduresDriving the vehicle.................. 138
Engine (ignition) switch ......... 148
Automatic transmission ........ 153
Manual transmission .............. 160
Turn signal lever ....................... 162
Parking brake ........................... 163
Horn ............................................ 165
2-2. Instrument cluster Gauges and meters ................ 166
Indicators and warning lights ......................................... 172
Multi-information display ...... 176
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch....................... 181
Fog light switch ........................ 185
Windshield wipers and washer ..................................... 187
Headlight cleaner switch...... 194 2-4. Using other driving
systems
Cruise control.......................... 195
Dynamic radar cruise control ..................................... 199
Intuitive parking assist ........... 213
Driving assist systems ............ 219
Hill-start assist control ......... 225
PCS (Pre-Collision System) .................................. 227
2-5. Driving information Cargo and luggage ............... 234
Vehicle load limits .................. 237
Winter driving tips ................. 238
Trailer towing .......................... 242
Dinghy towing (vehicles with an
automatic transmission).... 243
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual
transmission) ........................ 244