2012 Lexus ES350 check engine

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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.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_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 cause serious inju-
ries, such as burns.
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.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U
BatteryCheck the battery as follows.
■ Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that there
are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Te r m i n a l s
Hold-down clamp
■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 the battery
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_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.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( →P. 3 7 8 )
Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment
Push the tabs in and lift the lid
off.
Driver's side instrument panel Remove the lid.
After a system failure, see “Fuse layout and amperage ratings”
(→ P. 412) for details about which fuse to check.STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_U
Headlight aim (vehicles with discharge headlights)
■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.
■ Adjusting the headlight aim
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( →P. 3 7 8 )
Turn bolt A in either direction
using a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
Remember the turning direction
and the number of turns in mind.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
■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 1 1 )
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus
dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
Indicates that engine oil
level is low.A buzzer also sounds.Check the level of engine
oil, and add if necessary.
(USA only)
Indicates that all mainte-
nance according to the
driven distance on the
maintenance schedule*
should be performed
soon.
If necessary, perform
maintenance.
Comes on approximately
4500 miles (7200 km)
after the maintenance
data has been reset.
(USA only)
Indicates that all mainte-
nance is required to cor-
respond to the driven
distance on the mainte-
nance schedule*.
Pe r f o r m t h e n e c e s s a r y
maintenance. Please reset
the maintenance data
after the maintenance is
performed ( →P. 3 6 5 )
Comes on approximately
5000 miles (8000 km)
after the maintenance
data has been reset.
(The indicator will not
work properly unless the
maintenance data has
been reset.)

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_U
Follow the correction procedure for problem in smart access system with push-button start.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem, check
that the warning message turns off.
InteriorbuzzerExterior buzzerWarning messageDetailsCorrection
procedure
Once
(Comes on for 8 seconds.)
(Flashing)
Indicates that an
attempt was made
to start the engine
without the elec-
tronic key being
present, or the
electronic key was
not functioning
normally.
Start the engine
with the elec-
tronic key
present.
*
Once3 times
(Flashing)
Indicates that a
door other than
the driver’s door
has been opened
and closed with
the “ENGINE
START STOP”
switch in any
mode other than
OFF and the elec-
tronic key outside
of the detection
area.
Confirm the loca-
tion of the elec-
tronic key.