2012 Lexus IS250 engine coolant

405
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 serious injuries, such as burns.
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.

5
When trouble arises
469
5-1. Essential information
IS350/250_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

5
When trouble arises
513
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_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 fans are operating.
If the fans are operating: Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown on the
instrument cluster) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fans are 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 9 9
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

514
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_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.
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 fans 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.
Add engine coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if engine coolant is
unavailable. (→P. 5 2 7 )
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP5

5
When trouble arises
515
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U
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.

527
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
IS350/250_U
Cooling system
Ignition system
Capacity
IS350
9.6 qt. (9.1 L, 8.0 Imp. qt.)
IS250
10.9 qt. (10.3 L, 9.1 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 hybrid organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.
Spark plug
Make
GapDENSO FK20HBR11
0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust gap when tuning the engine.

546
6-1. Specifications
IS350/250_U■
Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing
the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard
items which may be replaced) of automatic transmis-
sion, power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, radio and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not)
Cold tire inflation pres-
sureTire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more, or has not been driven more
than 1 mile or 1.5 km under that condition
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

581
Alphabetical index
IS350/250_U
If you have a flat tire ........................ 492
If you lose your keys ........................504
If you think something is wrong................................................... 469
If your vehicle becomes stuck ......516
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency.............................. 518
If your vehicle needs to be
towed ................................................... 463
If your vehicle overheats..................513
Emergency flashers Switch ...................................................... 462
Engine Compartment ..................................... 397
Engine switch .......................................... 141
Hood ....................................................... 394
How to start the engine...................... 141
Identification number......................... 521
If the engine will not start ................ 501
Ignition switch.......................................... 141
Overheating...........................................513
Engine compartment cover............. 399
Engine coolant Capacity..................................................527
Checking ............................................... 404
Preparing and checking
before winter .................................... 206 Engine coolant temperature
gauge....................................................... 158
Engine immobilizer system..................90
Engine oil Capacity .................................................524
Checking ................................................ 401
Preparing and checking before winter ................................... 206
EPS .............................................................. 196
Event data recorder .................................21
First-aid kit storage belt ..................... 357
Floor mat ..................................................356
Fluid Brake ....................................................... 406
Washer ...................................................... 411
Fog lights Switch.........................................................176
Wattage ................................................. 536
Footwell lights ........................................325
Front fog lights Switch.........................................................176
Wattage ................................................. 536
Front passenger occupant
classification system .......................... 109
Front passenger's seat belt
reminder light...................................... 473
F
*: For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “Navigation System Owner’s Manual”.