Page 144 of 608

144
2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an 
extended period of time. 
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc. 
■If you get a flat tire while driving 
A flat or damaged tire may  cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel 
firmly and gradually depress the brak e pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire. ( P.  5 2 1 )
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause the 
following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused  by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure to 
have your Lexus dealer  check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of engine  oil, transaxle fluid for the hybrid system 
etc.
●Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possible), and 
the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
As flooding may damage components involv ed in P position control, the parking 
lock may jam in the locked position.
■If the vehicle will not shift out of the P position
There is a possibility that the 12-volt batt ery is discharged. Check the 12-volt battery 
in this situation. 
     
        
        Page 244 of 608

244
2-5. Driving information
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the 
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the 
prevailing weather conditions. 
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that ar
 e appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera -
tures. 
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Ha
ve the vehicle fitted with four  snow tires or purchase a set of 
tire chains for the front tires. 
Ensure that all tires are the same si ze and brand, and that chains match 
the size of the tires.
■ Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following accord ing to the driving conditions:
● D
o not try to forcibly open a w indow or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen  ar
 ea to melt the ice. Wipe 
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing. 
● T
o ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan, 
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in 
front of the windshield. 
● R
emove any ice that has accumul ated on the vehicle chassis. 
● P
eriodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that 
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes. 
■ When driving the v
 ehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suitable to the 
road conditions.  
     
        
        Page 404 of 608

404
4-1. Maintenance and care
■To prevent paint deterioration and body corrosion
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or  bird droppings are present on the paint 
surface
• After driving in an area contaminated  with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron 
powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
●If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the  engine compartment. Doing so may cause 
the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gases cause the exhaus t pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled suffi-
ciently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns. 
     
        
        Page 410 of 608

410
4-2. Maintenance
■Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained speciali sts and are kept up to date with the 
latest service information. They are well  informed about the operation of all sys-
tems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has been 
performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise while your 
vehicle is under warranty, your Lexus de aler will promptly take care of it.
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in seri ous damage to the vehicle and possible 
serious injury or death.
■Handling of the 12-volt battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause 
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash 
any affected area immediately.
●12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead 
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after 
handling. ( P.  4 3 3 ) 
     
        
        Page 411 of 608
411
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Tr u n k
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
( P.  4 3 1 )
CoolantIs the engine coolant at the correct 
level? ( P.  4 2 8 )
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? 
( P.  4 2 4 )
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or 
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser
The radiator and condenser should 
be free from foreign objects. 
( P.  4 3 0 )
Wa s h e r  f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid? 
( P.  4 3 2 )
ItemsCheck points
12-volt batteryCheck the connections. ( P.  4 3 3 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed 
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Service Guide” or “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. 
     
        
        Page 417 of 608
417
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ItemsPa r t s  a n d  t o o l s
Engine oil level (P.  4 2 4 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or 
equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding  engine oil)
Fuses ( P.  4 5 5 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as 
original
Headlight aim ( P.  4 6 7 )• Phillips-head screwdriver
Light bulbs( P.  4 6 9 )
• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
•Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator and condenser (P.  4 3 0 )
Tire inflation pressure  ( P.  4 4 5 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r  f l u i d ( P.  4 3 2 )
• Water or washer fluid containing 
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water  or washer fluid) 
     
        
        Page 418 of 608

418
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, 
observe the following precautions:
■When working on the engine compartment
●Make sure that the indicator on the “POWER” switch and the “READY” indicator 
are both off.
●Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fans and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, 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 and rags, in the engine 
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are flam-
mable.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is off.  
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high.  
(  P.  4 3 0 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting 
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. 
     
        
        Page 422 of 608
422
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Engine coolant reservoir 
( P.  4 2 8 )
Engine oil filler cap 
( P. 425)
Engine oil level dipstick  
( P.  4 2 4 )
Power control unit coolant 
reservoir ( P.  4 2 8 )
Brake fluid reservoir  (P.  4 3 1 )Fuse box ( P. 455)
Engine coolant radiator  
( P. 430)
Power control unit coolant 
radiator ( P. 430)
Condenser ( P. 430)
Electric cooling fans 
Washer fluid tank  
( P.  4 3 2 )