
4517-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
■Caring for leather areas
Lexus recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to maintain
the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge or brush to
apply the foam. Rub in overlapp ing circles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty surfaces and let
them dry. Excellent results are obtained  by keeping the carpet as dry as possible.
■Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also check the belts
periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
■When cleaning the carpeted portions of the glove box, console box, etc.
If a strong adhesive tape is used, there is a possibility that the surface of the carpet could
be damaged.
WARNING
■Water in the vehicle
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.
Doing so may cause electrical components etc. to malfunction or catch fire.
●Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet. 
( → P. 37)
An electrical malfunction ma y cause the airbags to deploy or not function properly,
resulting in death or serious injury.
■Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. Th e instrument panel may reflect off the wind-
shield, obstructing the driver’s view and le ading to an accident, resulting in death or
serious injury. 

4577-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
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. 583)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play?  ( →P. 583)
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 no t 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. 

4617-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move suddenly,
become hot, or become electrically energize d. 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. 471)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent  flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting in
your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner f ilter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt
in the air. 

4847-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts  of the drivetrain as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics,  which may lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have be en used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously. 
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire  pressure warning system
Do not operate the tire pressure warning reset switch without first adjusting the tire
inflation pressure to the spec ified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure warning light may
not come on even if the tire inflation pressu re is low, or it may come on when the tire
inflation pressure is actually normal.
■Caution regarding interference  with electronic devices
●Users of any electrical medical device ot her than implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization th erapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibril-
lators should consult the manufacturer of  the device for information about its opera-
tion under the influence of radio waves.
Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of such medical
devices.
●People with implantabl e cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemak-
ers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators
should not come within 17.7 in. (450 mm) of
the tire pressure warn ing system initiators.
The radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices. 

5168-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
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 inspecte d by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light  Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioningThis light also comes on when the 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.
(If equipped)
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 pretensioner 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. 

5188-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
Slip indicatorIndicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC or the TRAC system is operating.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
“AFS OFF” indicator
Indicates a malfunction in the adaptive front-lighting system
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*2
Indicates that a door or the trunk is not fully closed
→ Check that all the doors and the trunk are closed.
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates that remaining fuel is  approximately 2.6 gal. (10 L, 2.2
Imp. gal.) or less
→ Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light (warning
buzzer)
*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s
seat belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light
(warning buzzer) turn off.
Rear passengers’ seat belt re minder lights (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the rear passengers to fasten their seat belts
→ Fasten the seat belt.
Master warning light
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to
indicate that the master warnin g system has detected a malfunc-
tion.
→ P. 522
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 520)
•Flat tire ( →P. 546)
→ Adjust the tire inflation pres sure 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 af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire  pressure warning system
→ Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions 

5198-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
*1: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:→ P. 526
*2: Open door warning buzzer:
→ P. 524
*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 unfast ened after 24 seconds, the buzzer will sound
intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the se at belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will
sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
Front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The front passenger’s seat belt buzzer soun ds to alert the front passenger that his or
her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer so unds once if the vehicle reaches a speed of
12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 se conds, the buzzer will
sound intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still  unfastened, the buzzer
will sound in a different to ne for 90 more seconds.
Rear passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The rear passenger’s seat belt  buzzer sounds to alert the rear passenger that his or
her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer so unds once if the vehicle reaches a speed of
12 mph (20 km/h). If the seat belt is still unfastened after 24 se conds, the buzzer will
sound intermittently for 6 seconds. Then, if the seat belt is still  unfastened, the buzzer
will sound in a different tone for 24 more seconds.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag  sensor assembly, front impact sensors, side
impact sensors (front door), side impact se nsors (front), side impact sensors (rear),
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat  belt buckle switch, front passenger occupant
classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indicat or light, “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light,
front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch,  seat belt pretensioner assemblies, airbags,
interconnecting wiring  and power sources. (→P. 37) 
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat  belt reminder and warning buzzer
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection sensor
may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passenger
is not sitting in the seat.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fu el tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after severa l trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible. 

5288-2. Steps to take in an emergency
IS350/300/200t_U (OM53D76U)
Indicates an engine malfunctionA buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates an engine malfunction
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
A buzzer also sounds.
→ Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.) (Canada)
(U.S.A.) (Canada)