2012 Lexus IS250 check engine

206
2-5. Driving information
IS350/250_U
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and the same brand, and that
chains match the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.

356
3-7. Other interior features
IS350/250_U
Floor mat
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may cause the driver's floor mat to slip, possibly interfering with the
pedals while driving. An unexpectedly high speed may result or it may become diffi-
cult to stop the vehicle, leading to a serious accident.
■When installing the driver's floor mat
●Do not use floor mats designed for other models or different model year vehicles,
even if they are Lexus Genuine floor mats.
●Only use floor mats designed for the driver's seat.
●Always install the floor mat securely using the retaining hooks (clips) provided.
●Do not use two or more floor mats on top of each other.
●Do not place the floor mat bottom-side up or upside-down.
■Before driving
Use only floor mats designed specifically for vehicles of the same model
and model year as your vehicle. Fix them securely in place onto the carpet.
Fix the floor mat in place using
the retaining hooks (clips) pro-
vided.
The shape of the retaining hooks
(clips) and the fixing procedure
of the floor mat for your vehicle
may differ from those shown in
the illustration. For details, refer
to the floor mat retention clip
installation instructions supplied
with the clips.
●Check that the floor mat is securely fixed in
the correct place with all the provided
retaining hooks (clips). Be especially care-
ful to perform this check after cleaning the
floor.
●With the engine stopped and the shift lever
in P (automatic transmission) or N (manual
transmission), fully depress each pedal to
the floor to make sure it does not interfere
with the floor mat.

Maintenance and care4
377
IS350/250_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 378
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............. 382
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ....................... 385
General maintenance .......... 387
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 390 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ............................ 391
Hood .......................................... 394
Positioning a floor jack ......... 395
Engine compartment ........... 397
Tires............................................. 412
Tire inflation pressure........... 424
Wheels ...................................... 428
Air conditioning filter ........... 430
Electronic key battery.......... 433
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 435
Headlight aim ......................... 449
Light bulbs................................. 451

387
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (→P. 4 0 8 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? (→ P. 4 0 6 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? (→P. 404)
Engine oilAt the correct level? (→ P. 4 0 1 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(→ P. 4 0 6 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? (→ P. 411)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Services 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.

389
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
Vehicle exterior
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
ItemsCheck points
Door/trunk• Operates smoothly?
Engine hood• The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks• Is there any leakage after parking?
Ti r e
• Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-aged?
• Tires rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing
maintenance checks.
ItemsCheck points

401
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
Engine oilWith 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 five 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.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully. Low
Full
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

402
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U■
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 by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selection→ P. 5 2 4
Oil quantity
(Low → Full)1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

404
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold. Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
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.