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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery• Maintenance-free (P. 2 8 8 )
Brake fluid• At the correct level? ( P. 2 8 4 )
Engine coolant• At the correct level? ( P. 2 8 2 )
Engine oil• At the correct level? ( P. 2 7 7 )
Exhaust system• No fumes or strange sounds?
Power steering fluid• At the correct level? (P. 2 8 6 )
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 2 8 3 )
Suspension fluid• At the correct level? ( P. 2 8 7 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d• At the correct level? ( P. 2 9 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 recomme nded that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Engine coolant level (P. 2 8 2 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene gly-
col based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite 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)
Engine oil level ( P. 2 7 7 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Power steering fluid ( P. 2 8 6 )
• Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON®II or III
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power
steering fluid)
Radiator and condenser (P. 2 8 3 )
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 is off. With the ignition in on, the electric cooling fan may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or if the coolant temperature is
high.
( P. 2 8 3 )
■When working on or under the vehicle
●Do not get under the vehicle with just the jack supporting it.
Always use automotive jack stands or other solid supports.
●Use eye protection to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get-
ting in your 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.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Engine oil filler cap(P. 2 7 8 )
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 277)
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 2 8 4 )
Fuse box ( P. 311)
Battery ( P. 2 8 8 )Washer fluid tank
(P. 2 9 1 )
Condenser ( P. 283)
Radiator ( P. 283)
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 2 8 2 )
Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 2 8 6 )
Suspension fluid reservoir (P. 2 8 7 )
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
Full
Low
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain cock and water
pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer pressure test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Enabled: -31F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44 F [-42C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding the engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of water
and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion protection
and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it damage to parts or paint.
CAUTION
■The radiator and condenser may be hot after driving
To prevent burns, do not touch the radiator or condenser after driving.
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5
When trouble arises
363
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheatsStop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the engine.
If you do not see steam: Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins to
fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine immediately and call your local Lexus
dealer.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, check the
coolant level and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Overheating
In the following situations, your vehicle may be overheating.
●The engine coolant temperature gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
●Steam is coming from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when in specting under the hood of your vehicle
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
engine is running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam released
under pressure.
Add coolant if required.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency measure if coolant is
unavailable. ( P. 3 7 2 )
Have the vehicle checked at your nearest Lexus dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
STEP5