2011 Lexus ES350 maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ES350_U
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 U.S. owners, and seat belt and
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
IndexAlphabetical listing of information contained in this manual.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ES350_U
5
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior................... 362
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .................... 365
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .... 368
General maintenance ................ 370
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ...................................... 373
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................................. 374
Hood.................................................. 378
Positioning a floor jack............... 379
Engine compartment................... 381
Tires ................................................... 394
Tire inflation pressure................ 403
Wheels.............................................. 407
Air conditioning filter................. 409
Electronic key battery ................... 411
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................. 413
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge headlights) .............. 422
Light bulbs ....................................... 424 5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................... 434
If your vehicle needs to be towed ............................................. 435
If you think something is wrong .............................................. 441
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 442
Event data recorder.................... 443
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................................ 445
If a warning message is displayed....................................... 455
If you have a flat tire..................... 467
If the engine will not start .......... 476
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P .............................. 478
If you lose your keys .................... 479
If the electronic key does not operate properly .............. 480
If the vehicle battery is discharged .................................. 483
If your vehicle overheats ........... 486
If the vehicle becomes stuck............................................... 489
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ...... 490
4Maintenance and care5When trouble arises

TABLE OF CONTENTSIndex
ES350_U
6
6-1. SpecificationsMaintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)..................... 492
Fuel information ........................... 502
Tire information............................ 505
6-2. Customization Customizable features................ 517
6-3. Initialization Items to initialize ........................... 525
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners.......................... 528
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) .................................... 529
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French) ..................................... 531 Abbreviation list ................................... 542
Alphabetical index .............................. 544
What to do if... ...................................... 558
6Vehicle specifications
7For owners
Index

80
1-6. Theft deterrent system
ES350_U
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type 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 USA
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.
CAUTION
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTICE
■To ensure the system operates correctly
Do not modify or remove the system. If modified or removed, the proper operation
of the system cannot be guaranteed.

82
1-6. Theft deterrent system
ES350_U
■System maintenance
The vehicle has a maintenance-free type alarm system.
■Items to check before locking the vehicle
To prevent unexpected triggering of the alarm and vehicle theft, make sure of the
following:
●Nobody is in the vehicle.
●The windows and moon roof are closed before the alarm is set.
●No valuables or other personal items are left in the vehicle.
■Triggering of the alarm
The alarm may be triggered in the following situations:
(Stopping the alarm deactivates the alarm system.)
●The doors are unlocked using the mechani-
cal key.
●A person inside the vehicle opens a door,
the trunk or hood.
●The battery is recharged or replaced when
the vehicle is locked.

199
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (→P. 4 0 3 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendation.
●All trailer lights work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
1000 lb. (450 kg).
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
rear.

Maintenance and care4
361
ES350_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 362
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 365
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ....................... 368
General maintenance .......... 370
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs................................ 373 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ............................ 374
Hood .......................................... 378
Positioning a floor jack ......... 379
Engine compartment ............ 381
Tires............................................ 394
Tire inflation pressure........... 403
Wheels ...................................... 407
Air conditioning filter ........... 409
Electronic key battery............ 411
Checking and replacing fuses ......................................... 413
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge
headlights) ............................ 422
Light bulbs................................ 424

362
ES350_U
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-
e r l y.
■Touch-up paint (if equipped)
Touch-up paint may be used to cover small chips or scratches.
Apply the paint soon after the damage occurs or corrosion may set in. To apply the
touch-up paint so it is hardly noticeable the trick is to apply it only to the bare spots.
Apply only the smallest amount possible and do not paint the surface around the
scratch or chip.
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.