2007 Lexus IS250 engine

276
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolant
The 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 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.

277
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer pressure test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant selection
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolant or similar high-quality ethylene glycol-
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Enabled: -31F [-35C])
Canada: Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45%
deionized water. (Enabled: -44F [-42C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of water
and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion protection
and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it damaging parts or paint.

278
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
Brake fluid
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the MAX and MIN lines
on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■Adding fluid
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser, as they may be hot and you may be burned.
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.

280
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Checking battery condition
Check the battery condition using the indicator color.
Blue: Good condition
White: Charging is necessary.
Have the vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
Red: Not working properly,
have the battery checked by
your Lexus dealer.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the
ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery.
■After recharging the battery
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.
1. Shift the shift lever to P (automatic) or depress the brake pedal with the shift
lever in N (manual).
2. Open and close any of the doors.
3. Restart the engine.

282
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Washer fluid
If any washer does not work or the
warning message appears on the
multi-information display, the
washer tank may be empty. Add
washer fluid.
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also, be sure all accesso-
ries are turned off.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the washer fluid tank.

285
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
●Sensors can be removed from the old wheels and installed on the new
wheels.
●When replacing only the tire, the sensor already installed on the wheel
does not need to be replaced.
●Replacing both a wheel and its sensor.
When new tire pressure sensors are installed, new sensor ID codes must be
registered in the ECU and tire inflation pressure sensor must be initialized.
(P. 285, 286)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
●When the standard tire pressure changes by replacing tires or
wheels
●When tires are rotated.
●When tire pressure sensors are replaced.
●When driving with the tires inflated to a higher than standard tire
pressure.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
■How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
To initialize the system, use the satellite switch. (P. 222)
Park the vehicle in safe place and turn off the engine.
Adjust the tire pressure to the specified pressure (P. 389)
Start the engine.
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified level. The tire infla-
tion pressure warning system will operate based on this pressure level.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

286
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
The tire pressure initialization
setting display
Continue to press the  or 
switch until the initialization setting
display appears.
It may take several minutes to com-
plete the setting. Wait for several
minutes before turning the engine
switch OFF if necessary.
Recording tire pressure settings
Press the ON/OFF button for
more than 3 seconds. At this time,
the tire inflation pressure warning
indicator flashes 3 times and the
message showing that the initial
setting is complete is displayed on
the multi-information display.
Registering and selecting tire inflation pressure sensor ID codes
The tire inflation pressure sensor is equipped with a unique ID code.
To select tire inflation pressure sensor ID codes, use the satellite switch.
(P. 222)
■Registering ID codes
Two separate sets of ID codes can be registered for each vehicle. This
allows 2 separate sets of settings to be conveniently recorded for all
season and winter tires.
MAIN: The MAIN ID code is used for the factory installed tire pres-
sure sensors.
2nd: The 2nd ID code is used for tire inflation pressure sensors associ-
ated with a secondary set of tires.
Make sure to have all tire inflation pressure warning system ID codes regis-
tered by your Lexus dealer. ID codes must be reset when tires or wheels are
replaced.
STEP4

299
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Air conditioning filter
The air conditioning filter must be cleaned or changed regularly to main-
tain air conditioning efficiency.
■Removal method
Set the air conditioning system to recirculated mode.
The air conditioning filter case cannot be removed with the system in
the outside air mode.
Turn the engine switch OFF.
Open the glove box. Lift and
remove the partition.
Remove the filter cover.
Remove the filter case.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5