2012 Lexus GS250 engine

6566-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans
may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the cool-
ant temperature is high. (P. 667)
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine
wear due to dirt in the air. Also, a backfire could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

659 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury:
When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided
with the jack.
Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is sup-
ported only by the floor jack.
Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and
shift the shift lever to P.
Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not place any object on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

6606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Engine compartment
For right-hand drive vehicles:
The battery and the fuse box in front of the battery are located on the oppo-
site side of the engine compartment.
Fuse boxes (P. 700)
Battery (P. 667)
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 662)
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 665)Engine oil filler cap
(P. 663)
Washer fluid tank (P. 671)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser (P. 667)
Radiator (P. 667)1
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4
5
6
7
8
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661 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Removing the engine compartment cover
Right-hand side
Center
Installing the clips
Push up center portion
Insert
Press
Engine compartment cover
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2
3
NOTICE
Checking the engine compartment cover after installation
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.

6626-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)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.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Low
Full
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
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2
3
4
5
1
2
Type AType B
6

663 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil consumption
The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the quality
of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil may
have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L/1000 km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 Imp.qt./600
miles)
If your vehicle consumes more than 1.0 L (1.1 qt., 0.9 Imp.qt.) every 1000
km (600 miles), contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
Engine oil selectionP. 839, 842, 844
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3

6646-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
Used engine oil
Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional, service station or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a 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 tightened.

665 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and
“LOW” lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line. (P. 829)
Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality eth-
ylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate cool-
ant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -35C [-31F])
For more details about engine coolant, contact any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock
and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
other duly qualified and equipped professional, test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
Engine coolant
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