Page 300 of 436
280
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be held securely on an incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance
and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Pa r k i n g b r a ke
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an incline?
Seat belts
• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
Page 305 of 436

285
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury.
■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, inverter, 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 or 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
corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the ignition switch is in “LOCK”.
With the ignition switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position, the electric cooling fan
may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 295)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to
dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Page 328 of 436

308
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents. Failure to do so may cause
damage to parts of the drive train, as well as dangerous handling characteristics,
which may lead to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread wear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●When replacing tires, make sure also to replace the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter grommets.
■Do not use puncture sealant sprays to repair flats
Puncture sealant sprays may damage tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■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 cushion-
ing 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.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
Page 365 of 436

5
When trouble arises
345
5-1. Essential information
Event data recorder
In a crash or a near car crash eventThe EDR may record some or all of the following information.
● Engine speed
● Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
● Vehicle speed
● To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
● Position of the transmission shift lever
● Whether the driver and front passenger wore seat belts or not
● Driver's seat position
● Front passenger's occu pant classification
● SRS airbag deployment data
● SRS airbag system diagnostic data
Your Lexus’ Electronic Control U nit (ECU) may contain another EDR.
There are a variety of driving situation s which include activating the vehi-
cle stability control (VSC) under whic h the VSC EDR will record certain
information. The VSC EDR may record so me or all of the following infor-
mation:
● Behavior of the vehicle
● Steering wheel angle
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain aspects of
your vehicle. These computers assist in driving and maintaining optimal
vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for troubles hooting, there is a system to record
data in a crash or a near car crash event. This is called an Event Data
Recorder (EDR).
Page 368 of 436

348
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Stop the vehicle immediately.The following warning indicates the po ssibility of damage to the vehicle
that may lead to an ac cident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and contact your Lexus dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected by y our Lexus dealer immediately.
Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to the
system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
while the engine is running.
Low engine oil pressure warning light
Indicates an abnormal level of engine oil pressure.
This warning light may turn on if the level of engine oil
declines. The light should turn off after checking the oil and
adding oil if necessary.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lampMalfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system.
SRS warning lightMalfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.
Page 371 of 436

5
When trouble arises
351
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*: Driver’s seat belt reminder buzzer:
The driver’s seat belts reminder sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the ignition key is turned to the “ON” or “START”
position, the reminder light flashes and a buzzer sounds if the driver's seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fasten s the belt, the light continues flashing,
however the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Driver’s seat belt reminder
light (warning buzzer)
*
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt.Fasten the seat belt.
Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light
Warns the front passenger to
fasten his/her seat belt.
Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure.Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure.
When the light stays on after
blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pres-
sure warning system.
Have the system checked by
your Lexus dealer.
Page 372 of 436

352
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is your vehicle low on gas?
If it is, refuel the vehicle immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after taking several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after several trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.
■Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
●If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection
sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not sitting in
the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the
warning light may not operate properly.
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the following:
●The airbag sensor assembly
●Front airbag sensors
●The curtain shield airbag sensors
●The side and curtain shield airbag sensors
●The occupant detection sy stem (ECU and sensors)
●“AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBA G OFF” indicator lights
●The seat belt buckle switches
●The driver’s seat position sensor
●The driver’s seat belt buckle switch
●Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
●The inflators
●The warning light
●The interconnecting wiring and power sources
Page 392 of 436

372
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while related parts
contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following precautions when han-
dling the battery:
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care not to
allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing or the vehi-
cle body.
●Do not lean over the battery.
●If the battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes, immediately wash the
affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention can be
received.
●Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and other
battery-related parts.
●Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■To avoid damaging the vehicle
Do not pull or push-start the vehicle, as the three-way catalytic converter may over-
heat and become a fire hazard.
■When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fan or any
of the belts when connectin g or disconnecting them.