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 408 of 584

4087-2. Maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the emission
control system. Your vehicle may not pa ss the I/M test and may need to be
repaired. Contact your Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may not be com-
pletely set.
●When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary malfunction
and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehicle is driven
40 or more times.
Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Emission inspection an d maintenance (I/M)
programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which include OBD
(On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system monitors the operation of
the emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator lamp s till remains on after several driv-
ing trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Page 409 of 584

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.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
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. 422)• Water or washer fluid containi ng antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 416 of 584

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 431 of 584

4317-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and
tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed, water
could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire pressure warning valves
could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those specified.
The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressu re warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid se alant is used, contact your Lexus dealer or
other qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 4 2 4 )
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushioning
ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause damage to the tires
themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■Low profile tires (except 16-inch tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustain-
ing impact from the road surface. Ther efore, pay attention to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they may be
damaged more severely.
●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Failure to do so
may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
Page 436 of 584
4367-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the Owner’s
Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire. Doing
so may result in an accident, causing death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, make sure to have tires servic ed by your Lexus dealer or other qualified
service shop. In addition, make sure to pu rchase your tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters at your Lexus dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitte rs may not work properly with non-genu-
ine wheels.
Page 458 of 584
458
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
●The engine is running but the vehicle will not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing service, using a lift-type truck or flatbed
truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Situations needs to contact dealers before towing
Page 523 of 584

5239-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
IS350/250_U (OM53C50U)
■Recommendation of the use of gasoline containing detergent additives
●Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives to avoid the
build-up of engine deposits.
●All gasoline sold in the U.S.A. contains minimum detergent additives to clean and/or
keep clean intake systems, per EPA’s lowest additives concentration program.
●Lexus strongly recommends the use of Top Ti er Detergent Gasoline. For more informa-
tion on Top Tier Detergent Gasoline and a list of marketers, please go to the official
website www.toptiergas.com.
■Recommendation of the use of cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformul ated gasoline that contains oxygenates
such as ethanol or MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is available in many areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner bu rning gasoline and appropriately blended
reformulated gasoline. These types of gaso line provide excellent vehicle performance,
reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
■Non-recommendation of the use of blended gasoline
●If you use gasohol in your vehicle, be sure th at it has an octane rating no lower than 87.
●Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancin g additive called MMT (Methylcyclopenta-
dienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolin e that contains MMT. If fuel containing
MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instru ment cluster may come on. If this happens,
contact your Lexus dealer for service.
■If your engine knocks
●Consult your Lexus dealer.
●You may occasionally notice light knocking fo r a short time while accelerating or driv-
ing uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
●Use only gasoline containing up to 15% etha-
nol.
DO NOT use any flex-fuel or gasoline that
could contain more than 15% ethanol, includ-
ing from any pump labeled E30, E50, E85
(which are only some examples of fuel con-
taining more than 15% ethanol).DO NOT use gasoline con-
taining more than 15% ethanol.
(30% ethanol)
(50% ethanol)
(85% ethanol)