2012 Lexus IS250 check oil

140
2-1. Driving procedures
IS350/250_U
NOTICE
■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 9 2 )
■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 oil and fluid used for the engine, transmission,
transfer (AWD vehicles), differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD vehicles), bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U
Indicates that engine oil
level is low.Check the level of engine
oil, and add if necessary.
(U.S.A. 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.
(U.S.A. 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. 386)
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.)
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure

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6-1. Specifications
IS350/250_U
Lubrication system
*: The engine oil capacity is a reference quantity to be used when changing the
engine oil. Warm up and turn off the engine, wait more than 5 minutes, and
check the oil level on the dipstick.
IS250
■ 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 0W-20
SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for
good fuel economy and good
starting in cold weather.
If SAE 0W-20 is not available,
SAE 5W-20 oil may be used.
However, it must be replaced with
SAE 0W-20 at the next oil
change.
Oil capacity
(Drain and refill 
reference*)
without filter
2WD models
AWD models
6.2 qt. (5.9 L, 5.2 Imp. qt.)
6.3 qt. (6.0 L, 5.3 Imp. qt.)
with filter
2WD models
AWD models
6.6 qt. (6.3 L, 5.5 Imp. qt.)
6.7 qt. (6.4 L, 5.6 Imp. qt.)
Outside temperature