2007 Lexus GS450h brake fluid

10
1-1. Hybrid system
CAUTION
■Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
●Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in “P”, apply the parking brake,
turn the hybrid system off.
●Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
●If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric shock may
occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
●If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte from
the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if possible, boric
acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
●If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible. Never
use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even a small
amount of water may be dangerous.
●If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the rear wheels raised. If the wheels
with the electric motor (t raction motor) are on the ground when towing, the
motor may continue to generate electricit y. This may cause an electricity leakage
leading to a fire.(
P. 4 2 0 )
■Nickel-metal hydride battery
Your vehicle contains a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. If disposed of improp-
erly, it is hazardous to the environment and there is a risk of severe burns and elec-
trical shock that may result in death or serious injury.
■Emergency shut off system
●Carefully check to see if there are exposed high voltage parts or cables. Never
touch the parts or cables. (
P. 5 )
●Carefully inspect the ground under the vehicle. If you find that liquid has leaked
onto the ground, the fuel system may have been damaged. Leave the vehicle as
soon as possible.

99
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. 
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or press the accelerator
pedal, which could cause an accident or fi re due to abnormal hybrid system over-
heating. Additionally, if the vehicle is park ed in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust
fumes may enter the vehicle and cause gas poisoning.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the brake actuator does not operate, do not follow other vehicles closely and
avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making. 
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the hybrid system is not operating. 
Each push on the pedal uses up yo ur reserved brake fluid pressure.
●The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer. 
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.

351
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluid• At the correct level? (P. 3 7 0 )
Engine/inverter coolant• At the correct level? ( P. 3 6 8 )
Engine oil• At the correct level? ( P. 3 6 3 )
Exhaust system• No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses• Not blocked with foreign matter? 
( P. 3 6 9 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d• At the correct level? ( P. 3 74 )
ItemsCheck points
12 volt battery• Maintenance-free ( P. 3 7 1 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s
Manual Supplement”. It is recommend ed that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.

355
4
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
12 volt battery condition (P. 3 7 1)
•Grease
• Conventional wrench 
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 3 7 0 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake
fluid)
Engine/inverter coolant level 
( P. 3 6 8 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene gly-
col based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrate 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 cool- ant)

361
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
■12 volt battery
P. 3 7 1
Engine oil level dipstick 
( P. 363)
Engine oil filler cap 
( P. 364)
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 370)
Fuse box ( P. 395)Washer fluid tank 
( P. 3 74 )
Gasoline engine/inverter 
coolant reservoir ( P. 368)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 369)
Radiator ( P. 369)

370
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Brake fluid
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
betw
een the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ A
dding fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted
surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.

371
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
12 volt battery
■Location
The 12 volt battery is located in the
lef
t-hand side of luggage compart-
ment.
■ Ex
terior
Make sure that the battery terminals ar
e not corroded and that there
are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high. 
If the reservoir needs frequent refilli ng, it may indicate a serious problem.

5
When trouble arises
427
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the v
ehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat
-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temper atur
e gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ A
udible symptoms
●Changes in e
xhaust sound
● Ex
cessive tire squeal when cornering
●Str
ange noises related to the suspension system
●P
inging or other noises related to the hybrid system
■ Oper
ational symptoms
●Engine mis
sing, stumbling or running rough
●A
ppreciable loss of power
●V
ehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●V
ehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● L
oss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor