2012 Lexus ES350 coolant

383
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_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.USA: “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 serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water not straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of water
and anti freeze 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 damage to parts or paint.

5
When trouble arises
437
5-1. Essential information
ES350_U
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

480
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats:
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine. Carefully lift the hood after the steam sub-
sides and then restart the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine immediately and call your local Lexus
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
engine coolant level and inspect
the radiator core (radiator) for
any leaks.
If the engine compartment
cover needs to be removed:
→P. 3 7 8
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

5
When trouble arises
481
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
Add engine coolant if neces-
sary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if engine coolant
is unavailable. (→P. 4 9 0 )
Install the reservoir cap.
Make sure that the engine cool-
ant reservoir hose is positioned
as shown in the illustration.
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP5
STEP6

482
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, causing serious
injury such as burns.
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the engine is
running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too quickly
can cause damage to the engine.

490
6-1. Specifications
ES350_U
Oil viscosity (5W-30 is explained here as an example):
• The 5W in 5W-30 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold
startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of
the engine in cold weather.
• The 30 in 5W-30 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher
value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or
under extreme load conditions.
How to read oil container label:
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Com-
mittee) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to help you
select the oil you should use.
Cooling system
Capacity9. 5 q t .
(9.0 L, 7.9 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type
Use either of the following.
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-sili-cate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate cool-
ant with long-life organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.

505
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
ES350_U
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equip-
ment, including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, and if so equipped, air conditioning and
additional weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants speci-
fied in the second column of Table 1
* that follows
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in
the third column of Table 1
* below
Production options
weight
The combined weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the
standard items which they replace, not previously
considered in curb weight or accessory weight,
including heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack,
heavy duty 12-volt battery, and special trim
RimA metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter)Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designationRim diameter and width
Rim type designationThe industry manufacturer's designation for a rim by
style or code
Rim widthNominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity weight
(Total load capacity)The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb. (68
kg) times the vehicle's designated seating capacity
Tire related termMeaning

542
Alphabetical index
ES350_U
Emergency flashersSwitch ......................................................430
Engine Compartment ......................................377
Engine switch.........................................128
Hood........................................................ 374
How to start the engine....................128
Identification number....................... 487
If the engine will not start ............... 470
Ignition switch........................................128
Overheating........................................ 480
Engine compartment cover .............378
Engine coolant Capacity.................................................490
Checking ............................................... 382
Preparing and checking
before winter ......................................196
Engine coolant temperature
gauge ....................................................... 138
Engine immobilizer system................... 81
Engine oil Capacity.................................................489
Checking ............................................... 379
Preparing and checking
before winter ......................................196
Event data recorder ...............................20
Floor mat .................................................. 337
Fluid Brake........................................................384
Power steering fluid .........................385
Washer ...................................................389
Fog lights Switch ........................................................154
Wattage.................................................. 495 Foot well lighting.....................................312
Front fog lights
Switch........................................................ 154
Wattage ................................................. 495
Front passenger occupant classification system ............................ 99
Front passenger's seat belt reminder light .......................................441
Front seats Adjustment .............................................. 50
Driving position memory ................... 51
Seat position memory........................ 55
Front side marker lights Replacing light bulbs ....................... 420
Wattage ................................................. 495
Front turn signal lights
Replacing light bulbs ....................... 420
Wattage ................................................. 495
Fuel Capacity ................................................488
Fuel gauge .............................................. 138
Fuel pump shut off system ............ 438
Gas station information ................. 552
Information ........................................... 496
Refueling ....................................................78
Fuel door ..................................................... 78
Fuel filler door ........................................... 78
Fuel pump shut off system.................438
Fuses .......................................................... 409
Garage door opener .......................... 340
Gas station information ..................... 552
Gauges ...................................................... 138
Glove box ..................................................316
Glove box light ........................................316
Grocery bag hooks .............................338
F
G