2012 Lexus ES350 check oil

127
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
ES350_U
NOTICE
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indicators)
Have your Lexus dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads and/or
those of the brake discs are exceeded.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( →P. 4 6 4 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the
following serious damage to the vehicle.
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to
have your Lexus dealer check the following.
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transaxle fluid, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possible) and
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

366
4-2. Maintenance
ES350_U
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 3 8 7 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 8 4 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 8 2 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 7 9 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluidAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 8 5 )
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(→ P. 3 8 4 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? ( →P. 3 8 9 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Service Guide” or “Owners
Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.

379
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U■
Installing the clips
Press the tip of the clip against a
hard surface, such as a desk, to
allow the center part of the clip
to be pushed up.
Insert
Press
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
NOTICE
■After installing an engine compartment cover
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

380
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_UHolding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
■ Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the
engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
STEP5
STEP6
Engine oil selection→ P. 4 8 9
Oil quantity
(Low → Full)1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

382
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_U
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the F and L lines on the res-
ervoir when the engine is cold. Full
Low
If the level is on or below the L line,
add coolant up to the F line.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly retightened.
■When adding the engine coolant
When installing the reservoir cap, make sure
that the engine coolant reservoir hose posi-
tioned as shown in the illustration.

454
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.)

489
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
ES350_U
Lubrication system
*: The engine oil capacity is a reference quantity to be used when exchang- ing. Warm up and turn off the engine, wait more than 5 minutes, and
check the oil level on the dipstick.
■ Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Lexus vehicle. Use Lexus
approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy the follow-
ing grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good
starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W-30 is not available,
SAE 10W-30 oil may be used.
However, it should be replaced
with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil
change.
Oil capacity
(Drain and refill 
reference*)
without filter 6.0 qt. (5.7 L, 5.0 Imp. qt.)
with filter6.4 qt. (6.1 L, 5.3 Imp. qt.)
Outside temperature

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
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