2011 LEXUS RX350 Owners Manual

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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
Hood
CAUTION
nPre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion and
cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the hood catch and lift
the hood.
STEP1
STEP2

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Positioning a floor jack
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack correctly.
Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.
nFront
nRear

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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