2012 Lexus GX460 maintenance

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4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
●Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehicle inte-
rior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces.
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline, alkalineor acidic solutions, dye, or bleach.
• Seats: Acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, or alcohol.
●Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other interior
part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of leather
surfaces:
●Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
●Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Park
the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
●Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the upholstery, as
they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats up significantly.
■Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes into
contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or under the
floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■Cleaning the inside of the rear window
●Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause damage to
the rear window defogger heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth dampened with
lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in strokes
running parallel to the heater wires or antenna.
●Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.

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GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts be used for repair to ensure perfor-
mance of each system. If non-Lexus parts are used in replacement or if a repair
shop other than a Lexus dealer performs repairs, confirm the warranty coverage.
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular main-
tenance are essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform regular
checks. Lexus recommends performing the following maintenance:
■General maintenance
General maintenance should be performed on a daily basis. This
can be done by yourself or by a Lexus dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “War-
ranty and Service Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Scheduled
Maintenance”.
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.
The use of Lexus repair manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, refer to the separate “Owner’s
Guide”, “Warranty and Service Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement”
or “Warranty Booklet”.

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
■Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists 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 dealer will promptly take care of it.
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible
serious injury or death.
■Handling of the 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.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after han-
dling. (→P. 6 2 3 )

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4-2. Maintenance
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the indicator and
connections. (→P. 6 2 3 )
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
(→ P. 6 1 9 )
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct
level? ( →P. 6 1 6 )
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(→ P. 611)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Power steering fluidIs the power steering fluid at the
correct level? ( →P. 6 2 1 )
Radiator/condenser
The radiator and condenser should
be free from foreign objects.
( →P. 6 1 8 )
Wa s h e r f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(→ P. 6 2 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.

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal
• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching).
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
• Does the brake pedal have the cor- rect amount of free play?
Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel
spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too
close to the floor when the brakes
are applied.

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4-2. Maintenance
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
ItemsCheck points
Head restraints• Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever or pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts
• Do the seat belts operate
smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be dam- aged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate prop-erly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange
sounds coming from the steering
wheel.

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks
• There should not be any signs of fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Ti r e
• Is the tire inflation pressure cor-rect?
• The tires should not be damaged or
excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
CAUTION
■If the engine is running
Turn off the engine and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing
maintenance checks.

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4-2. Maintenance
GX460_U.S.A. (OM60J00U)
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which include
OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system monitors the oper-
ation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in
the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test
and may need to be repaired. Cont act your Lexus dealer to service
the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
● When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set du ring ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on a temporary malfunc-
tion and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.