
260
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)4-6. Driving tips
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside temperatures.
•Engine oil
• Engine coolant
•Washer fluid
●Have a service technician inspect the condition of the battery.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire chains for
the rear tires.
*
Ensure that all tires are the specified size and brand, and that chains match the size
of the tires.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on the 18-inch tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away the water imme-
diately to prevent it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, remove any
snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumulated on
the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis, around the tires or on the brakes.
●Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting in the
vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the vehi-
cle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the prevail-
ing weather conditions.
Preparation for winter
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle

4067-2. Maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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, is
the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance from the floor? ( →P. 5 1 8 )
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? (→ P. 5 1 8 )
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 belts 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 offree play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering wheel.

409
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition
(→ P. 4 2 0 )•Warm water• Baking soda•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→ P. 4 1 9 )• 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 1 7 )
• “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 1 4 )• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
(→ P. 4 4 1 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 444)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver•Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( →P. 4 1 8 )
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( →P. 4 3 2 )• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d
(→ P. 4 2 2 )• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

4197-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
■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
Items Clean 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 ref illing, there may be a serious problem.

4668-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning This light also comes on when th e parking brake is not released.
If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully released the
system is operating normally.
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
→ Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pr etensioner system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light Indicates a malfunction in:
•The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.

4688-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:→ P. 4 7 5
*2: Open door warning buzzer:
→ P. 4 74
*3: Driver’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat belt is not
fastened. Once the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, the buzzer
sounds for 6 seconds. If the vehicle reaches a speed of 12 mph (20 km/h), the buzzer
sounds once. If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will
sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the front passenger that his or
her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds once if the vehicle reaches a speed of
12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will
sound intermittently for 10 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer
will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Tire pressure warning light When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 4 6 9 )
•Flat tire ( →P. 4 8 6 )
→ Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does
not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the
system checked by your Lexus dealer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
→ Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions

4708-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
CAUTION
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact your Lexus dealer. The vehi-
cle will become extremely unstable during braking, and the ABS system may fail, which
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and oper-
ate using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change it
with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

4788-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
(If equipped)
Indicates that the windows and the moon roof are not
fully closed (with the engine switch off, and the driver’s
door open) A buzzer also sounds.
→ Close all the windows and the moon roof.
Indicates a malfunction in the brake override system
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates that engine oil level is low
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Check the level of engine oil, and add if necessary.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The automatic headlight leveling system; or
• The Automatic High Beam system (if equipped)
• The LED headlight system (if equipped)
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedal are being
depressed simultaneously
→Release the accelerator or brake pedal.
Indicates that the tire inflation pressure is low
→Check the tire inflation pressure, and adjust to the
appropriate level.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
(Flashes)