2012 Lexus IS250 oil temperature

393
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury,
observe the following precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is OFF.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high. (→P. 406)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the 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.

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

524
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

525
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
IS350/250_U
Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
• The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows coldstartability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of
the engine in cold weather.
• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher
value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or
under extreme load conditions.
How to read oil container label:
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval
Committee) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
IS350
■ 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

526
6-1. Specifications
IS350/250_URecommended 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 viscosity (5W-30 is explained here as an example):
• The 5W in 5W-30 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows coldstartability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of
the engine in cold weather.
• The 30 in 5W-30 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher
value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or
under extreme load conditions.
How to read oil container label:
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Com-
mittee) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to help you
select the oil you should use.
Outside temperature

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”.

584
Alphabetical index
IS350/250_U
MaintenanceDo-it-yourself ma intenance ...........391
General maintenance ..................... 387
Maintenance data..............................520
Maintenance requirements ..........385
Manual transmission............................. 152
Meter Instrument panel light control ...... 159
Meters ...................................................... 158
Micro dust and pollen filter* ............220
Mirrors Inside rear view mirror....................... 75
Side mirror heater ............................. 224
Side mirrors .............................................. 77
Vanity mirrors...................................... 337
Moon roof ...................................................83
MP3 disc* ................................................ 244
Multi-information display ....................167
Noise from under vehicle...................... 19
Odometer................................................. 158
Oil Engine oil ................................................ 401
Opener Fuel filler door......................................... 87
Hood........................................................ 394
Trunk ........................................................... 52 Outer foot lights
Outer foot lights................................. 325
Wattage ................................................. 536
Outside rear view mirrors
Adjusting and folding .......................... 77
Mirror position memory ................... 58
Outside temperature display ........... 168
Overhead console ............................... 332
Overhead courtesy lights Overhead courtesy lights ............. 325
Wattage ................................................. 536
Overheating, Engine ........................... 513
Parking assist sensors*........................ 190
Parking brake.......................................... 155
Parking lights
Replacing light bulbs ......................... 451
Switch.........................................................172
Wattage ................................................. 536
Personal lights
Switch....................................................... 327
Power outlet ........................................... 344
Power windows ........................................80
Radiator .................................................... 406
Radio* ....................................................... 229
RDS* ............................................................231
Rear sunshade ....................................... 352M
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