2012 Lexus IS250C brake

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2-5. Driving information
Dinghy towing (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Towing your vehicle with 4 wheels on the groundTo prevent damage to your vehicle, perform the following procedures
before towing. Shift the shift lever to neutral.
Switch to ACCESSORY mode. ( P. 150)
Ensure that the audio system and other powered devices have been
turned off.
Release the parking brake.
After towing, leave the engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driv-
ing the vehicle.
■Necessary equipment and accessories
Specialized equipment and accessories are required for dinghy towing. Contact
the service branch of the motor home manufacturer regarding recommended
equipment.
Your vehicle can be dinghy towed in a forward direction (with 4 wheels on
the ground) behind a motor home.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryMaintenance-free. (P. 4 3 3 )
Brake fluidAt the correct level? ( P. 4 3 1 )
Engine coolantAt the correct level? ( P. 4 2 9 )
Engine oilAt the correct level? ( P. 4 2 6 )
Exhaust systemNo fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
( P. 4 3 1 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dAt the correct level? ( P. 4 3 6 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “War ranty and Services Guide” or “Owners
Manual Supplement”. It is recomme nded 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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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be held securely on an incline with the shift lever in
P?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Clutch pedal• Moves smoothly?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? ( P. 4 7 3 )
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop- erly?

416
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition (P. 4 3 3)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 4 3 1 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 4 2 9 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high-quality ethylene gly-
col-based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant and
45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding engine coolant)

421
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following 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 or get underneath the vehicle supported 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 put the shift
lever in P (automatic) or R (manual).
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage the vehi-
cle 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 objects on top of or underneath the
floor jack.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure that there is sufficient surrounding space. The
vehicle’s position may change slightly when lowered.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack such as
the one shown in the illustration.

422
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
IS350C
Battery (P. 433)
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 4 2 6 )
Engine oil filler cap (P. 4 2 6 )
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 4 3 1 )
Fuse boxes ( P. 4 5 8 )Washer fluid tank
(P. 4 3 6 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 4 3 1 )
Radiator ( P. 4 3 1 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 4 2 9 )

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS250C
Battery (P. 433)
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 4 2 6 )
Engine oil filler cap (P. 4 2 6 )
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 4 3 1 )
Fuse boxes ( P. 4 5 8 )Washer fluid tank
(P. 4 3 6 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 4 3 1 )
Radiator ( P. 4 3 1 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 4 2 9 )

431
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
Brake fluid
■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ Adding fluid
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious inju-
ries, such as burns.
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.