2011 Lexus IS250 check engine

393
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
■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.

394
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U
Radiator and condenserCheck 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.

397
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U■
Adding distilled water
Remove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot be seen, check the fluid level by
looking directly at the cell.
Put the vent plug back on and close securely.
Low O.K.
■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/reconnecting the battery
In some cases, the engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the
system.
Shift the shift lever to “P” (automatic transmission) or depress the brake
pedal with the shift lever in N (manual transmission), and turn the
“ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF.
Open and close any of the doors.
Start the engine. (If the engine does not start first time, repeat the proce-
dure.)
If the engine will not start even after multiple attempts at the above method, contact
your Lexus dealer.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

423
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
Checking and replacing fuses
If any of the electrical components do not operate, a fuse may have blown.
If this happens, check and replace the fuses as necessary.
Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF.
Engine compartment (type B fuse box): Remove the engine
compartment cover. ( →P. 388)
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment (type A fuse box)
Push the tabs in and lift the lid
off.
Engine compartment (type B fuse box) Push the tabs in and lift the lid
off.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

437
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
Headlight aim
■Removing the engine compartment cover
→ P. 388
■ Vertical movement adjusting bolts
Adjustment bolt A
Adjustment bolt B
■ Before checking the headlight aim
Make sure the vehicle has a full tank of gas and the area around
the headlight is not deformed.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Sit in the driver’s seat.
Bounce the vehicle several times.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

439
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
Light bulbs
You may replace the following bulbs yourself. For more information about
replacing other light bulbs, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Preparing a replacement light bulb
Check the wattage of the light bulb being replaced. ( →P. 5 2 4 )
■ Removing the engine compartment cover
→ P. 388
■ Front bulb locations
Parking lights (vehicles with
halogen headlights)
Headlight high beam and daytimerunning lights (vehicles with halogen headlights)
Headlight high beam
(vehicles with discharge
headlights)

466
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer
●If a different set of tires has been selected using the satellite switch
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the wheels or
wheel housings
●If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used (Even if you use Lexus wheels, the tire
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, have
it checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Customization that can be configured at Lexus dealer
The vehicle speed linked seat belt reminder buzzer can be disabled.
(Customizable features →P. 5 4 0 )

5
When trouble arises
475
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U
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).
(If equipped)
Indicates that intuitive
parking assist is dirty or
covered with ice.
Clean the sensor.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure