Page 511 of 650

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
Braking System Design Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
507
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Page 533 of 650

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the multi-information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety .530
.................
Maintenance Minder . 531
..............................
Fluid Locations .541
......
Engine Compartment Covers . 542
........................
Adding Engine Oil .543
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .544
..............................
Engine Coolant .546
....................
Windshield Washers .548
.......................
Transmission Fluid .549
..........
Automatic Transmission . 549
..............
Manual Transmission . 551
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 553
....................................
Timing Belt .554
.............................................
Lights .555
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 564
.....................................
Floor Mats .565
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 566
.................................
Exterior Care .566
.................................
Wiper Blades .566
...............................................
Tires .568
...................
Checking the Battery . 577
.............................
Vehicle Storage .578
..................................
Interior Care .579
633
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
529
TM
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Page 543 of 650
µ
µ
µµ
µ
µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See .
474
475
553 555
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
539
TM
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page
549
page 568
2012 TL
Page 559 of 650

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen high beam
headlight bulbs which are also used
f or the daytime running light.
Handle it by its base and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Open the hood.
Remove all engine compartment
covers (see page ).
The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch off
and the key removed (or the vehicle
is in VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) mode
on models with keyless access
system). Because of this, you
should not attempt to examine or
change a low beam headlight
bulb yourself. If a low beam
headlight bulb fails, take the vehicle
to your dealer to have it replaced.
If youarereplacingthebulbon
the driver’s side, remove the
holding clips with a f lat-tip
screwdriver. Then remove the
upper part of the air intake duct by
pulling it straight up.
1.
2. 542
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming
L ow Beam Headlight Bulb
Replacement Replacing a High Beam
Headlight/Daytime Running
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
555
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil,
perspiration, or a scratch on the glass
can cause the bulb to overheat and
shatter.
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Page 560 of 650
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn
clockwise to lock it in place.
To change a bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its stay. Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Install the upper part of the air
intake duct securely. Reinstall the
holding clips. (Driver’s side)
Install all engine compartment
covers. Install the engine coolant reserve
tank. (Passenger’s side)
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
3. 9.
10.
Lights
556
RESERVE TANK BULB
CONNECTOR
STAY
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Maint enance
2012 TL
Page 561 of 650
Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
theright.If youarereplacinga
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the lef t. Turn of f
the engine.Use a wrench to remove the
mounting bolts, and remove the
holding clip with a f lat-tip
screwdriver.
Use a flat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clips from the
edge of the inner fender cover,
and pull the inner fender cover
back.
Pull down the under cover f rom
the bumper caref ully.
3.
2.
1.
4.
CONT INUED
Replacing the Front
Side Marker Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
557
HOLDING CLIPUNDER COVER
BOLT
HOLDING CLIP BOLT
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Page 562 of 650
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Start the engine. If you are
replacing a driver’s side bulb, turn
the steering wheel all the way to
the right. If you are replacing a
passenger’s side bulb, turn the
steering wheel to the left. Turn off
the engine.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its socket. Install the new bulb in the socket
by pushing it straight in the socket
until it bottoms.
Insert the socket into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Push the under cover in place and
set the inner f ender cover in the
original position. Install the bolts
and tighten them securely. Insert
each holding clip, and lock it by
pushingonitscenter.
5.
6. 7.
8.
1.
9.
10. Replacing a Front Turn
Signal/Parking Light Bulb
Lights
558
SOCKET
BULB
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Maint enance
2012 TL
Page 563 of 650
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Use a wrench to remove the
mounting bolts, and remove the
holding clip with a f lat-tip
screwdriver.
Pull down the under cover f rom
the bumper caref ully.
Use a f lat-tip screwdriver to
remove the holding clips f rom the
edge of the inner f ender cover,
and pull the inner f ender cover
back.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its socket.
3.
2. 4.
5.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
559
HOLDING CLIP COVER
HOLDING CLIP UNDER COVER SOCKET
BOLT
BOLT BULB
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