2008 LEXUS RX400H service

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RX400h_U
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.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery condition ( →P. 3 2 7)
•Grease
•Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (→ P. 3 2 5 )
Engine/power control unit coolant
level (→ P. 3 2 3 )
• “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)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin
disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not dis-
pose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage:
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Doing so may result in an accident, causing serious injury or death.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your Lexus dealer or other
qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters at your Lexus dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with non-
genuine wheels.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX400h_U
■Changing interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance sched-
ule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement may be
required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the “Warranty
and Service Guide”, “Owner's Manual Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.)
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the system.

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6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
RX400h_U
■Gasoline quality standards
●Automotive manufacturers in the US, Europe and Japan have developed a speci-
fication for fuel quality called World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is
expected to be applied worldwide.
●The WWFC consists of four categories that are based on required emission lev-
els. In the US, category 4 has been adopted.
●The WWFC improves air quality by lowering emissions in vehicle fleets, and cus-
tomer satisfaction through better performance.
■Lexus recommends the use of gasoline containing detergent additives
●Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contains detergent additives to avoid
build-up of engine deposits.
●All gasoline sold in the US contains detergent additives to clean and/or keep
clean intake systems.
■Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated gasoline that contains oxygen-
ates such as ethanol or MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) is available in many
areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and appropriately blended
reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle perfor-
mance, reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
■Lexus does not recommend blended gasoline
●Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline where the oxygenate con-
tent is up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE.
●If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it has an octane rating no lower than
87.
●Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline containing methanol.
■Lexus does not recommend gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcyclopen-
tadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel contain-
ing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this hap-
pens, contact your Lexus dealer for service.

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6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
RX400h_U
Uniform tire quality gradingThis information has been prepared in accordance with regulations
issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the
U.S.A. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers of Lexus vehi-
cles with information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Lexus dealer will help answer any questions you may have as you read
this information.
■ DOT quality grades
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades. Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width.
For example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
■Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 - 1 /2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart sign ificantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.

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Alphabetical index
RX400h_U
Rear side marker lightsWattage.................................................... 441
Rear turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs........................365
Wattage.................................................... 441
Rear window de fogger.......................204
Rear window wiper ............................... 155
Replacing Fuses ........................................................ 352
Light bulbs.............................................365
Rear seat entertainment system controller battery............................350
Tires ......................................................... 408
Wireless remote control battery ..................................................348
Reporting safety defects for
U.S.A. owners ..................................... 464
RSE
Replacing controller battery ........350
RSE ........................................................... 233
Road accident cautions......................... 32
Roof luggage carrier .............................. 70
Scuff lighting ...........................................260
Seat belts Adjusting the seat belt........................ 59
Automatic Locking Retractor .......... 61
Child restraint system
installation ..............................................112
Cleaning and maintaining
the seat belts ..................................... 302
Emergency Locking Retractor........ 61
How to wear your seat belt............. 58
How your child should wear
the seat belt .......................................... 62 Pregnant women,
proper seat belt use .......................... 61
Reminder light....................................... 391
Seat belt extenders...............................62
Seat belt pretensioners ..................... 60
Seat heaters ............................................280
Seating capacity....................................... 181
Seats
Adjustment ...................................... 49, 52
Adjustment precautions ............ 51, 54
Child seats/child restraint system installation .............................. 112
Cleaning .................................................. 301
Driver's seat position memory ...... 55
Flattening seatbacks ........................... 50
Head restraint .........................................57
Properly sitting in the seat................ 89
Seat heaters ......................................... 280
Service reminder indicators ............ 140
Shift lever Transmission.......................................... 135
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P..................................... 419
Shopping bag hooks ........................... 284
Side airbags ................................................. 91
Side marker lights
Replacing light bulbs ....................... 365
Switch........................................................ 148
Wattage ................................................... 441
Side mirror
Adjusting and folding ......................... 68
Mirror position memory ................... 55
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