2008 Lexus IS250 maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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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.
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For US ownersReporting safety defects for US owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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3-4. Using the storage features .... 236List of storage features............... 236
• Glove box..................................... 236
• Console boxes ........................... 237
• Overhead console................... 238
• Cup holders................................. 239
• Bottle holders/door pockets ................................ 241
3-5. Other interior features........... 242 Sun visors......................................... 242
Vanity mirror .................................. 243
Clock ................................................. 244
Satellite switches .......................... 245
Ashtrays .......................................... 248
Cigarette lighter ........................... 249
Power outlet .................................. 250
Seat heaters ..................................... 251
Seat heaters and ventilators ..................................... 253
Armrest ............................................ 255
Rear sunshade ............................... 256
Trunk storage extension........... 258
Coat hooks ..................................... 259
Floor mat......................................... 260
Trunk features................................. 261
Garage door opener.................. 264
Compass........................................... 269 4-1. Maintenance and care............ 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......................... 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............................ 277
4-2. Maintenance............................. 280 Maintenance requirements.............................. 280
General maintenance ................ 282
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ..................................... 285
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance............................ 286
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................................. 286
Hood................................................. 289
Positioning a floor jack.............. 290
Engine compartment.................. 292
Tires .................................................. 306
Tire inflation pressure.................. 316
Wheels............................................. 320
Air conditioning filter.................. 322
Electronic key battery ................ 325
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 327
Headlight aim.................................. 341
Light bulbs ....................................... 342
4Maintenance and care

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3
4
5
6
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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
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5-1. Essential information .............. 350If your vehicle needs to be towed............................................. 350
If you think something is wrong ............................................. 356
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 357
Event data recorder ................... 358
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency .............................. 360
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................................... 360
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 369
If you have a flat tire.................... 382
If the engine will not start ........... 391
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P .............................. 392
If you lose your keys .................... 393
If the electronic key does not operate properly ....................... 394
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................... 397
If your vehicle overheats .......... 400
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................................ 402 6-1. Specifications............................ 406
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ................................ 406
Fuel information............................. 421
Tire information ............................ 424
6-2. Customization .......................... 436 Customizable features .............. 436
6-3. Initialization ................................ 441 Items to initialize ............................ 441
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................................... 444
Abbreviation list ................................... 446
Alphabetical index............................... 448
What to do if... ....................................... 458
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For US owners
Index

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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Engine immobilizer system
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type of engine immobilizer system.
■Conditions that may cause the system to malfunction
●If the grip portion of the key is in contact with a metallic object
●If the key is in close proximity to or touching a key to the security system (key
with a built-in transponder chip) of another vehicle
■Certifications for the engine immobilizer system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.
FCC ID: NI4TMIMB-1
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation. For vehicles sold in Canada
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation of the device.
The vehicle's keys have built-in tran sponder chips that prevent the engine
from starting if the key has not been previously registered in the vehicle's
on-board computer.
Never leave the keys inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The indicator light flashes after
the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch has been turned OFF to
indicate that the system is oper-
ating.

Maintenance and care4
273
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
4-1. Maintenance and care ............................... 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior.............. 274
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 277
4-2. Maintenance .................. 280 Maintenance requirements ....................... 280
General maintenance ......... 282
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 285
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................ 286
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 286
Hood ......................................... 289
Positioning a floor jack ......... 290
Engine compartment ............ 292
Tires ............................................ 306
Tire inflation pressure ............ 316 Wheels ...................................... 320
Air conditioning filter ........... 322
Electronic key battery.......... 325
Checking and replacing
fuses ........................................ 327
Headlight aim .......................... 341
Light bulbs................................ 342

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08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
■Automatic car washes
●Fold the mirrors back before washing the vehicle.
●Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and
harm your vehicle’s paint.
■High pressure car washes
●Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows.
●Before car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed prop-
erly.
■Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard brushes
or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners. Use the same
mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
■Bumpers and side moldings
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condi-
tion.
●Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt
and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.

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4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
■Outside rear view mirror rain-clearing coating
Observe the following precautions in order to retain the rain-clearing properties of
the mirror.
●Clean the mirrors using car shampoo or glass cleaner that does not contain sili-
cone or an abrasive compound, and rinse thoroughly with water.
●Allow the mirrors to be exposed to direct sunlight for 1 to 2 days.
■To prevent deterioration and do by corrosion
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron
powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled suffi-
ciently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.

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4-1. Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0708)
NOTICE
■To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzene or gasoline.
■Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
●Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■To prevent damage to the windshield wiper arms
When lifting the wiper arms away from the windshield, pull the driver side wiper
arm upward first, and repeat for the passenger side. When returning the wipers to
their original position, do so from the passenger side first.
■When using an automatic car wash
Set the wiper switch to “OFF”.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers
may operate and the wiper blades may be
damaged.
“OFF”