479
7Maintenance and care
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle exterior ............... 480
Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle interior ................ 484
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements ................... 487
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions...................... 490
Hood ................................. 492
Positioning a floor jack ..... 494
Engine compartment ......... 495
12-volt battery................... 504
Tires .................................. 510
Tire inflation pressure ....... 523
Wheels .............................. 525
Air conditioning filter ....... 527
Electronic key battery ....... 530
Checking and replacing
fuses ................................ 534
Light bulbs ........................ 538
4877-2. Maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
Maintenance requirements
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For full details of your maintenance schedule, refer to the “Lexus Service
Booklet” or “Lexus Warranty Booklet”.
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little mechani-
cal ability and a few basic automotive tools.
Note, however, that some maintenance tasks require special tools and skills.
These are best performed by qualified technicians. Even if you’re an experi-
enced do-it-yourself mechanic, we recommend that repairs and maintenance
be conducted by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qual-
ified and equipped professional. Any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer will
keep a record of maintenance, which could be useful should you ever require
Warranty Service. Should you choose to select a qualified and equipped pro-
fessional other than an authorized Lexus repairer to service or maintain your
vehicle, we recommend that you request that a record of maintenance be kept.
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance are essential. Lexus recommends the following mainte-
nance:
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance
4887-2. Maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Lexus recom-
mends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and
repairs be carried out by authorized Lexus dealers or repairers or other duly qual-
ified and equipped professionals. For repairs and services covered by your war-
ranty, please visit an authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, who will use genuine
Lexus parts in repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There can also be
advantages in utilizing authorized Lexus dealers or repairers for non-warranty
repairs and services, as members of the Lexus network will be able to expertly
assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and
economically due to their experience with Lexus vehicles.
Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs that
indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condition-
ing system after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked imme-
diately.)
Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost touches
the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 570, 583)
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as soon as possi-
ble. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
4907-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery
condition (P.
504)•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Engine/power con-
trol unit coolant
level
(P. 501)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high
quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(P. 497)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 534)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(P. 538)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screw-
driver• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser (P. 502)
Tire inflation pres-
sure (P. 523)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 503)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter
use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
5007-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
Used engine oil
Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause
skin disorders such as inflammation and 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.
Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not
dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. Call any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional, service station or auto parts store for informa-
tion concerning recycling or disposal.
Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
When replacing the engine oil
Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
5227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
NOTICE
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters
and tire valve caps
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional as the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed,
water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire pressure warn-
ing valves could be bound.
When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those
specified.
The cap may become stuck.
To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional or other qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to
replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire.
(P. 511)
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cush-
ioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause dam-
age to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
Low profile tires (vehicles with 17 inch tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when
sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the follow-
ing:
Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they
may be damaged more severely.
Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Failure to do
so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
5267-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
When replacing wheels
Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless
tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or serious injury.
Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to leak air during driving, possibly causing an
accident.
NOTICE
Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional or
other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters at any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with
non-genuine wheels.
5297-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
If the filter is dirty, clean by blow-
ing compressed air through the fil-
ter from the underside.
Hold the air gun 5 cm (2 in.)
from the filter and blow for
approximately 2 minutes at 500
kPa (5.0 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 72 psi).
If an air gun is not available,
have the filter cleaned by any
authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified
and equipped professional.
Checking interval
Inspect, clean and replace the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement may
be required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the “Lexus
Service Booklet” or “Lexus Warranty Booklet”.)
If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
Cleaning method
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the system
When using the air conditioning system, make sure that a filter is always
installed.
When cleaning the filter, do not clean with water.