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 395 of 573
3947-2. Maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly (with- out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, isthe vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( P. 5 0 6 )
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 5 0 6 )
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Moves smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts•Do the seat belt s operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be an y strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
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 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 408 of 573
4077-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.
Brake fluid
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear out or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refil ling, there may be a serious problem.
Page 448 of 573
4478-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
If the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine.
If the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the engine, press and hold
the engine switch for 2 consecutive
seconds or more, or press it briefly 3
times or more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
CAUTION
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the brakes and steering wheel will be lost, making the brake pedal
harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as possi-
ble before turning off the engine.
5
Page 449 of 573
448
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer before towing.
●The engine is running but the vehicle will not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If a tow truck is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing eye-
let. This should only be attempted on
hard surfaced roads for short distances
at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer
and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering and
brakes must be in good condition.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing service, using a lift-type truck or flat bed
truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Before towing
Emergency towing
Page 452 of 573
4518-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
IS350/250_U (OM53758U)
If your Lexus is transported by a flat bed
truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
■Before emergency towing Release the parking brake.
Shift the shift lever to N.
Turn the engine switch to ACCESSORY (e ngine off) or IGNITION ON (engine run-
ning) mode.
Using a flat bed truck
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving mane uvers which place excessive stress on the
emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always be cautious of the sur-
roundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering will not func-
tion, making steering and braking more difficult.
■Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elets may come loose during towing.
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