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395
Maintenance and care7
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
7-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior................. 396
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .................. 399
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements............................. 402
General maintena nce ..............405
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ................................... 408
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ................................409
Hood .................................................. 411
Positioning a floor jack ...............412
Engine compartment ................ 413
Tires .................................................. 423
Tire inflation pressure ............... 432
Wheels ........................................... 435
Air conditioning filter ............... 437
Electronic key battery .............. 439
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................441
Light bulbs..................................... 444
Page 405 of 584
4057-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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 2 0 )
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 4 1 9 )
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct level? ( P. 4 1 7 )
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? ( P. 4 1 4 )
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from for-
eign objects. ( P. 4 1 8 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid? ( P. 4 2 2 )
Page 407 of 584
4077-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk• Do the doors/trunk operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakage after
the vehicle has been parked.
Ti r e s
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the mainte- nance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers
• The wiper blades should no t show any signs of crack-
ing, splitting, wear, contamination or deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield without
streaking or skipping.
CAUTION
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing
maintenance checks.
Page 414 of 584
4147-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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
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4157-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
■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 1 5
Oil quantity (Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3
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4167-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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 417 of 584

4177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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. 5 0 6 )
■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 418 of 584

4187-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
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. 5 0 8 )
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.