Page 406 of 573

4057-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
( P. 4 9 4 )
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a 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 mixt ure of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
(Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixt ure of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
(Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir cap, drain cock and water
pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap and check for leaks in the
cooling system.
Engine coolant
1
2
3
Page 407 of 573

4067-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or radiator cap. ( P. 4 9 6 )
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 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 cool-
ing. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
Radiator and condenser
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious injuries,
such as burns.
Page 454 of 573
4538-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
●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 nor-
mal.
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the engine
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●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, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor
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
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 465 of 573

4648-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
Indicates that the vehicle is being driven at 3 mph (5 km/
h) or more with the parking brake still engaged. A buzzer also sounds.
Release the parking brake.
Indicates that the shift lever was used to attempt to shift
to the first gear position in M mode on a slippery road
surface
The gear position will not sh ift from the second gear.
A buzzer also sounds.
Drive the vehicle in the second or a higher gear
position.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
A buzzer also sounds.
P. 4 9 4
(If equipped)
Indicates that the radar sensor is dirty or covered with
ice
A buzzer also sounds.
Clean the sensor.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the dynamic radar cruise control system is
unable to judge vehicle-to-vehicle distance
A buzzer also sounds.
Tu r n o f f s n o w m o d e .
If the windshield wipers are on, turn them off or set
them to a mode other than AUTO or high speed
wiper operation.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.) (Canada) (Flashes)
(U.S.A.) (Canada)
Page 495 of 573
4948-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
●The needle of the engine coolant temperature gauge (P. 81) enters the red
zone or a loss of engine power is experienced. (For example, the vehicle
speed does not increase.)
●Steam comes out from under the hood.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and tu rn off the air conditioning system, and
then stop the engine.
If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After the engine has cooled down
sufficiently, inspect the hoses and
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Lexus
dealer.
If your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2
Page 496 of 573
4958-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW”
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency if
coolant is unavailable.
Start the engine and turn the air conditioning system on to check that the radi-
ator cooling fan operates and to check for coolant leaks from the radiator or
hoses.
The fan operates when the air conditioning system is turned on immediately after a
cold start. Confirm that the fan is operating by checking the fan sound and air flow. If it
is difficult to check these, turn the air conditioning system on and off repeatedly.
(The fan may not operate in freezing temperatures.)
If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and contact your Lexus dealer.
If the fan is operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Lexus dealer.
4
1
2
3
5
6
7
Page 497 of 573

4968-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
CAUTION
■When inspecting under the hood of your vehicle
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in serious injury such as burns.
●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.
●Keep hands and clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from the fans and
belts. Failure to do so may cause the hands or clothing to be caught, resulting in seri-
ous injury.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Add coolant slowly after the engine has cooled down sufficiently. Adding cool coolant
to a hot engine too quickly can cause damage to the engine.
■To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
●Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust etc.).
●Do not use commercially available coolant additives.
●While the engine and radiator are hot, do not
loosen or remove the coolant reservoir cap
or radiator cap. (The radiator cap is located
under the engine cover.)
High temperature steam or coolant could
spray out.
Page 505 of 573
5049-1. Specifications
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■Spark plug
Cooling system
IS250IS350
Capacity 11.1 qt. (10.5 L, 9.2 Imp. qt.) 9.8 qt. (9.3 L, 8.2 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type
Use either of the following:
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
• Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.
Ignition system
Make DENSO FK20HBR11
Gap0.043 in. (1.1 mm)
NOTICE
■Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust the spark plug gap.
Electrical system
Battery
Open voltage at 68F
(20 C):12.6 12.8 V Fully charged
12.2
12.4 V Half charged
11.8
12.0 V Discharged
(Check the voltage 20 minutes after the engine and all
lights are turned off.)
Charging rates5 A max.