Page 394 of 573
3937-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed at
the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Service Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any problem you notice should
be brought to the attention of your Lexu s dealer or qualified service shop for
advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections. ( P. 4 0 8 )
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 4 0 7 )
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level? ( P. 4 0 5 )
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? ( P. 4 0 2 )
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from for-
eign objects. ( P. 4 0 6 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid? ( P. 4 1 0 )
Page 398 of 573

397
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
7
Maintenance and care
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure as given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition
( P. 4 0 8 )•Warm water• Baking soda•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P. 4 0 7 )• SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level
( P. 4 0 5 )
• “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
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 coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 4 0 2 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P. 4 2 9 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
( P. 4 3 2 )
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver•Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( P. 4 0 6 )
Tire inflation pres-
sure (P. 4 2 0 )•Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d
( P. 4 1 0 )• Water or washer fluid containi ng antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 399 of 573

3987-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move suddenly,
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 driving
as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and 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 corro-
sive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high.
( P. 4 0 6 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or fallin g material, fluid spray, etc. from getting in
your 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.
Page 402 of 573
4017-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes (P. 4 2 9 )
Battery ( P. 4 0 8 )
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 4 0 2 )
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 4 0 5 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 4 0 3 )Brake fluid reservoir (
P. 4 0 7 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d t a n k ( P. 4 1 0 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 4 0 6 )
Radiator ( P. 4 0 6 )1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 403 of 573
4027-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
With the engine at operating temperatur e 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 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, 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.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may dif-
fer depending on the type of vehi-
cle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
6
Page 404 of 573

4037-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of the
same type as that 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 consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consum ed while driving. In the following situations,
oil consumption may increase, and engine o il may need to be refilled in between oil
maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or after
replacing the engine
●If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, or when driving while accel-
erating or decelerating frequently
●When leaving the engi ne idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
Engine oil selection P. 5 0 3
Oil quantity (Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3
Page 405 of 573

4047-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harm ful contaminants which may cause skin dis-
orders such as inflammation and skin canc er, so care should be taken to avoid pro-
longed and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not dispose of
used oil and filters in household tras h, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information concerning
recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
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.
Page 444 of 573

4437-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
CAUTION
■Replacing light bulbs
●Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to replace the bulb immediately after turning off the
lights.
The bulbs become very hot and may cause burns.
●Do not touch the glass portion of the light bulb with bare hands. When it is unavoid-
able to hold the glass portion, use and hold with a clean dry cloth to avoid getting
moisture and oils on the bulb.
Also, if the bulb is scratched or dropped, it may blow out or crack.
●Fully install light bulbs and any parts used to secure them. Failure to do so may result
in heat damage, fire, or water entering the headlight unit. This may damage the head-
lights or cause condensation to build up on the lens.
■Discharge headlights (if equipped)
●Contact your Lexus dealer before replacing the discharge headlights (including light
bulbs).
●Do not touch the discharge headlight’s high voltage socket when the headlights are
turned on.
An extremely high voltage of 30000 V will be discharged and could result in death
or serious injury by electric shock.
●Do not attempt to take apart or repair the headlight bulbs, connectors, power supply
circuits, or related components.
Doing so could result in electric shock and death or serious injury.
■To prevent damage or fire
●Make sure bulbs are fully seated and locked.
●Check the wattage of the bulb before installin g to prevent heat damage.
●Vehicles with discharge headlights:
While the headlights are turned on, and for a
short time after they have been turned off,
metal components at the rear of the headlight
assembly will be extremely hot. To prevent
burns, do not touch these metal components
until you are certain they have cooled down.
Metal components