2011 LEXUS RX350 check oil

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2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
nWhen 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:
lEngine stalling
lShort in electrical components
lEngine 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:
lBrake function
lChanges in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, transaxle,
transfer (AWD models), differential, etc.
lLubricant condition for the propeller shaft (AWD models), bearings and suspen-
sion joints (where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

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2-5. Driving information
2

When driving
CAUTION
nOff-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death or serious
injury or damage to your vehicle:
lDrive carefully when off the road. Do not take unnecessary risks by driving in
dangerous places.
lDo not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could
jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
lAlways check your brakes for effectiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud, water or snow.
lAfter driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, water, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped to the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these
materials trapped or adhering to the underbody, a breakdown or fire could occur.
lWhen driving off-road or in rugged terrain, do not drive at excessive speeds,
jump, make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehi-
cle rollover causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive dam-
age to your vehicle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE
nTo prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or
other components does not occur.
lWater entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage.
lWater entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompanied by vibration, and ultimately dam-
age.
lWater can wash the grease from wheel bearings, causing rusting and premature
failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission and transfer case, reduc-
ing the gear oil’s lubricating qualities.

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4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the indicator and
connections. (→P. 4 74 )
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
(→P. 4 7 2 )
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct
level?(→P. 4 7 0 )
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(→P. 4 6 6 )
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser/hoses
The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects.
(→P. 4 7 2 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(→P. 4 7 7 )
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 recommended that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.

466
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
4

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
4

Maintenance and care
CAUTION
nUsed engine oil
lUsed 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.
lDispose 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.
lDo not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
nTo prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
nWhen replacing the engine oil
lBe careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
lAvoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
lCheck the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
lBe sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

5

When trouble arises
553
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that the engine
oil is scheduled to be
changed
Check the engine oil, and
change if necessary.
Comes on approximately
4500 miles (7200 km)
after the engine oil is
changed. (The indicator
will not work properly
unless the oil mainte-
nance data has been
reset.)
(U.S.A. only)
Indicates that the engine
oil and oil filter should be
changed
Have the engine oil and oil
filter checked and
changed by your Lexus
dealer.
(Flashes)
(If equipped)
Indicates that the AWD
system is not currently
functional
A buzzer also sounds.
Reduce vehicle speed or
stop the vehicle in a safe
place until the warnings
clear.
In this case, do not stop
the engine.
(If equipped)
Indicates that the pre-
collision system is not
currently functional
Clean the grille and the
sensor.
This message appears
when the pre-collision
system is hot. In this case,
wait until the system
cools down.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
nUsing the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off the jack,
leading to death or serious injury.
lDo not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
lOnly use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for replacing tires
on this vehicle.
lAlways check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
lDo not put any part of your body under the vehicle is supported by the jack.
lDo not start or run the engine while your vehicle while it is supported by the jack.
lDo not raise the vehicle while someone is in it.
lWhen raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
lDo not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to replace the tire.
lUse a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Take particular care when lowering the vehicle to ensure that no one working on or
near the vehicle may be injured.
nReplacing a flat tire
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of death or serious injury:
lDo not touch the disc wheels or the area around the brakes immediately after the
vehicle has been driven.
After the vehicle has been driven the disc wheels and the area around the brakes
will be extremely hot. Touching these areas with hands, feet or other body parts
while changing a tire, etc. may result in burns.
lNever use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened, leading to
bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can cause the wheel nuts
to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing a serious accident. Remove any oil or
grease from the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.