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
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)
4917-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
WA R N I N G
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move
suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or seri-
ous injury, observe the following precautions.
When working on the engine compartment
Make sure that the indicator on the power switch and the “READY” indicator
are both off.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust mani-
fold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also
be hot.
Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and rags, in the
engine compartment.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are
flammable.
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces. If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected
area with clean water immediately. If you still experience discomfort, consult
a doctor.
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is
high. (P. 502)
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.
If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear
or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.
5027-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of their
condition, have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
WA R N I N G
When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap
is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion pro-
tection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
Radiator and condenser
WA R N I N G
When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious
injuries, such as burns.
When the electric cooling fans are operating
Do not touch the engine compartment.
The electric cooling fans may keep rotating for about 3 minutes even after the
power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is
high. Be sure the power switch is off when working near the electric cooling
fans or radiator grille.
5137-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fab-
ric, and bulges indicating internal damage.
A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about
10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays on to
indicate a system malfunction.
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has
seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pressure
checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily
vehicle checks.
Low profile tires (vehicles with 17 inch tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance will
be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires. Be sure
to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully at a
speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
5157-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
The initialization operation
Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire infla-
tion pressure adjustment.
If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during initialization, it is
not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will restart auto-
matically when the power switch has been turned to ON mode for the next time.
If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary,
adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are cold,
and conduct initialization again.
Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system
The warning of the tire pressure warning system will change in accordance with
the conditions under which it was initialized. For this reason, the system may
give a warning even if the tire pressure does not reach a low enough level, or if
the pressure is higher than the pressure that was adjusted to when the system was
initialized.
When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following
cases, the settings have not been recorded and the system will not operate prop-
erly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings are unsuccess-
ful, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure warning
light does not blink 3 times.
After carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning light
blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.
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.