2008 Lexus IS250 check oil

116
2-1. Driving procedures
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
NOTICE
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
Front brake only: Moderate levels of the brake pad and disc wear allow enhanced
front braking power. As a result, the discs may wear more quickly than conventional
brake discs. Therefore, when replacing the brake pads, Lexus recommends that you
also have the thickness of the discs measured.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
that of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 3 8 4 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints (where
possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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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4-2. Maintenance
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 3 0 2 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? (→P. 3 0 1 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? (→P. 2 9 9 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? (→P. 2 9 5 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(
→P. 3 0 1 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? (→P. 3 0 5 )
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.

295
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the engine, wait
a few 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

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)■
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 the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil. Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
It takes about 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp.qt.) to raise the oil level from low to full on the
dipstick.
Oil gradeILSAC multi-grade engine oil
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold. Reser voir 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.

5
When trouble arises
375
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
Indicates that engine oil
level is low.Check the level of engine
oil, and add if necessary.
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that the engine
oil is scheduled to be
changed.
Check the engine oil, and
change if necessary.
Comes on approximately
4500 miles (7200 km)
after the engine oil is
changed. (The indicator
will not work properly
unless the oil mainte-
nance data has been
reset.)
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that the engine
oil should be changed.
Check and change the
engine oil.
Comes on approximately
5000 miles (8000 km)
after the engine oil is
changed (and the oil
maintenance data has
been reset).

388
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may lead to death or injuries due to the vehicle sud-
denly falling off the jack.
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for replacing tires
on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle supported by a jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one working on or
near the vehicle may be injured.
■Replacing a flat tire
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury.
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
The oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts to loosen, causing a serious accident.
Remove any oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
●Have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5
kgf•m) as soon as possible after changing wheels.
Failure to follow these precautions could cause the nuts to loosen and the wheels
may fall off, which could lead to an accident causing death or serious injury.