2003 Lexus IS 300 Owners Manual - Page 277

DRIVING TIPS D Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet. If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle securely. WINTER DRIVING TIPS Make sure you have a proper freeze protection of engine coolant. Your coolant must contain ethylene-glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use "Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant" or equivalent. See "Checking the engine coolant level" on page 319 for instructions. NOTICE Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone. When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60% solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to about -50_C (-58_F). Do not use more than 70% solution for better coolant performance. Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 348 tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the battery charge level. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See page 317 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer - they will be pleased to help. 260 2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)