LexusIS F2008Overview/lexus/is-f/2008/base/

2008 Lexus IS F

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 IS F.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2008 Lexus IS F is a passenger car driven by an eight-speed automatic transmission and built around a 10-quart, 5W-30 API oil capacity that yields EPA estimates of 16 city, 23 highway, and 18 combined mpg. Its launch year tallied 114 owner complaints — the most of any model year from 2008 through 2017 — with air bags as the leading complaint category and eight recalls documented. That peak stands in sharp contrast to the 2014 model year, which registered only a single complaint, marking the 2008 IS F as the high-water mark for reported issues in the nameplate's history.

Model year2014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity10 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 0415251010
Engine air filter1780138021
Fuel filter7702453040
Spark plug9091901249
Battery2880038100
Front wiper blades8521253081 alt 8522253071
Serpentine belt9091602632
Thermostat1632670020 alt 160310S010
Cabin air filter8713907010 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3651 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the IS F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.2–4.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.20 sec — 2008 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.20 sec12.70 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.30 sec12.70 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.40 sec12.80 sec416 hpRWD
2008Sedan 5.0L V84.40 sec12.90 sec416 hpRWD
2011Sedan 5.0L V84.70 sec13.10 sec416 hpRWD
2012Sedan 5.0L V84.50 sec12.90 sec416 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 10 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.9
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity10 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts243 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-3-6-5-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.88-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.11 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance3-100 Motor ohms
Engine Compression144-203 PSI. 14.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10.2 psi @ Idle, 31.9 psi @ 2500 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.005-0.007 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.009-0.011 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.102 in / 1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inner bolts45 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Lexus IS F represents the peak of consumer complaints for this generation, recording 114 instances compared to 41 in both 2009 and 2010. This establishes a clear downward trend across the production span, with complaints falling to just one by 2014. Top complaint areas for the 2008 model include Air Bags (21), Engine (16), and Structure (15), although the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. Additionally, the 2008 model tied 2009 for the highest number of recalls at eight and recorded 171 TSBs. Because this year exhibits the highest frequency of complaints and recalls in the federal record, it is not the most favorable year to buy.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
171
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
114
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21
Engine16
Structure15
Unknown Or Other14
Visibility/Wiper4
Structure,Unknown Or Other3
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper3
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front…

17V006000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA… Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 171 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
L-SB-0030-24 Rev22025-12-15StructureSome 2005 – 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-SB-0032-252025-07-30EngineSome 2016 – 2020 model year GS F, 2008 – 2014 model year IS F, 2022 – 2025 model year IS…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev12024-07-29StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-SB-0030-24 Rev12024-07-29StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
L-SB-0030-242024-06-21StructureSome 2005 – 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific IS F. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 IS F take?

10 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 IS F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the IS F get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.