2009 Lexus IS250 maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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.
6Ve h i c l e
specificationsDetailed vehicle information.
7For ownersReporting safety defects for U.S. owners and seat belt in-
structions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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3-3. Using the interior lightsInterior lights list............................ 247
• Interior lights ............................... 249
• Personal lights ............................ 249
3-4. Using the storage features List of storage features................ 251
• Glove box...................................... 251
• Console boxes ........................... 252
• Overhead console.................... 253
• Cup holders................................. 254
• Bottle holders/door pockets .......................................... 256
3-5. Other interior features Sun visors......................................... 257
Vanity mirror ................................. 258
Clock ................................................. 259
Satellite switches ......................... 260
Ashtrays ........................................... 263
Cigarette lighter ........................... 264
Power outlet ................................... 265
Seat heaters.................................... 266
Seat heaters and ventilators ..................................... 269
Armrest ............................................ 272
Rear sunshade ............................... 273
Trunk storage extension............ 275
Coat hooks ..................................... 276
Floor mat.......................................... 277
Trunk features................................ 278
Garage door opener................... 281
Compass.......................................... 287 4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......................... 292
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior............................ 295
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .... 298
General maintenance ............... 300
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ..................................... 303
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ................................. 304
Hood.................................................. 307
Positioning a floor jack.............. 308
Engine compartment................... 310
Tires ................................................... 325
Tire inflation pressure................. 336
Wheels............................................. 340
Air conditioning filter.................. 342
Electronic key battery ................ 345
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 347
Headlight aim.................................. 361
Light bulbs ....................................... 363
4Maintenance and care

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2
3
4
5
6
7
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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5-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers..................... 372
If your vehicle needs to be towed ....................................... 373
If you think something is wrong ......................................... 379
Fuel pump shut off system ....... 380
Event data recorder ..................... 381
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ....................................... 383
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 392
If you have a flat tire..................... 404
If the engine will not start ........... 413
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ............................... 415
If you lose your keys ..................... 416
If the electronic key does not operate properly ........................ 417
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................... 421
If your vehicle overheats ........... 424
If the vehicle becomes stuck................................................ 427 6-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.).................... 430
Fuel information............................ 446
Tire information ............................ 449
6-2. Customization Customizable features ............... 461
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ........................... 467
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners........................... 470
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ...................................... 471
Abbreviation list ................................... 474
Alphabetical index............................... 476
What to do if... ....................................... 486
5When trouble arises6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

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1
Before driving
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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
The vehicle's keys have built-in transponder 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
291
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 292
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 295
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ....................... 298
General maintenance ......... 300
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 303 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 304
Hood .......................................... 307
Positioning a floor jack ......... 308
Engine compartment ............ 310
Tires............................................ 325
Tire inflation pressure........... 336
Wheels ...................................... 340
Air conditioning filter ........... 342
Electronic key battery.......... 345
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 347
Headlight aim .......................... 361
Light bulbs................................ 363

292
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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
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.

293
4-1. Maintenance and care
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Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
■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, insect droppings or bird 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.

294
4-1. Maintenance and care
08_IS350/250_U_(L/O_0808)
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 (vehicles with the rain-sensing windshield
wipers only)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers
may operate and the wiper blades may be
damaged.Off