2011 LEXUS RX350 engine

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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,
observe the following precautions:
nWhen working on the engine compartment
lKeep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
lBe careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
lDo not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
lDo not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
lBe extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
nWhen working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high. (→P. 4 7 2 )
nSafety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the eyes.
NOTICE
nIf 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
CAUTION
nWhen raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of death or
serious injury:
lWhen using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with the
jack.
lDo not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
lDo not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is supported
only by the floor jack.
lAlways use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level surface.
lDo not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
lStop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and shift the
shift lever to P.
lMake sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage the vehi-
cle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
lDo not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
lWhen raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath the
floor jack.
lLift up the vehicle using a floor jack such as
the one shown in the illustration.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Engine oil filler cap
(→P. 466)
Engine oil level dipstick
(→P. 466)
Battery (→P. 4 74 )
Brake fluid reservoir
(→P. 4 7 2 )
Fuse box (→P. 4 9 8 )
Engine coolant reservoir
(→P. 470)
Condenser (→P. 4 7 2 )
Radiator (→P. 4 7 2 )
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank
(→P. 477)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment covers
nRemoving the engine compartment covers
Outside
Front
nInstalling the clips

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Battery cover
Removing the battery cover.
NOTICE
nWhen installing the battery cover
Securely install the cover over the battery. Failure to do so may cause water to enter
the engine compartment when it rains or the vehicle is washed, resulting in a mal-
function.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
nChecking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the engine, wait
more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
nAdding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as that already in the
engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
About 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.) is required to raise the oil level from low to full on
the dipstick.
Engine oil
selection→P. 5 9 7
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
nEngine oil consumption
lThe amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the quality of
the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
lMore oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
lA new engine consumes more oil.
lWhen judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil may
have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
lOil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles (0.9 Imp. qt./600 miles, 1.0 L/1000
km)
lIf your vehicle consumes more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.) every 600 miles
(1000 km), contact your Lexus dealer.
nAfter changing the engine oil (U. S. A. only)
The engine oil maintenance data should be reset. Perform the following procedure:
Display the trip meter “A” (→P. 167), then turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch off.
While pressing the “ODO/TRIP” button, turn the “ENGINE START
STOP” switch to ON mode.
STEP1
STEP2
Keep the “ODO/TRIP” button pressed for
about 5 seconds. The resetting procedure is
complete when “000000” in the trip meter
flashes once and the message in the multi-
information display disappears.
STEP3