4807-1. Maintenance and care
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle body,
wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.
Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a chamois.
For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly
with water.
Wipe away any water.
Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle body is
cool.
Self-restoring coat
The vehicle body has a self-restoring coating that is resistant to small surface
scratches caused in a car wash etc.
The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years after the coating has been performed.
The restoration time differs depending on the depth of the scratch and outside
temperature. The restoration time may become shorter when the coating is
warmed by applying warm water.
Deep scratches caused by keys or coins cannot be restored.
Do not use wax that contain abrasives.
Automatic car washes
Fold the mirrors before washing the vehicle. Start washing from the front of the
vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.
Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and harm
your vehicle’s paint.
Rear spoiler may not be washable in some automatic car washes. There may
also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.
High pressure car washes
Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the
windows.
Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is
closed properly.
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime con-
dition:
4817-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
Note for a smart entry & start system (if equipped)
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective
range, the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. Place the key in a position 2 m
(6 ft.) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is being washed. (Take
care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)
Aluminum wheels
Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use hard
brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical cleaners.
Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after driving
for long distance in the hot weather.
Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
Front side windows water-repellent coating
The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-repellent
coating.
• Remove any dirt, etc. from the front side windows regularly.
• Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the windows for a long period.
Clean the windows with a soft, damp cloth as soon as possible.
• Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning the
windows.
• Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.
When the water-repellent performance has become insufficient, the coating can
be repaired. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
Restoration work for rain clearing effect of the rain clearing mirror (if equipped)
The rain clearing effect on the mirror surface will gradually recover after expo-
sure to sunlight (P. 176). However, if you want to restore the effect immedi-
ately, conduct the following procedures:
Apply water to the mirror surface to wash the dirt away from it.
Remove the dirt by using a clean, soft and wet cloth.
Clean the mirror surface with glass cleaner or detergent. When detergent is
used, rinse the mirror surface with a lot of water.
Wipe water on the mirror surface by using a clean and soft cloth, ect.
Park your vehicle outdoors to expose the mirror surface to sunlight for about 5
hours. (The restoration time differs depending on the amount and type of dirt.)
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4837-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
NOTICE
To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (alu-
minum wheels etc.)
Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the paint
surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
Cleaning the exterior lights
Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
To prevent damage to the windshield wiper arms
When lifting the wiper arms away from the windshield, pull the driver side
wiper arm upward first, and repeat for the passenger side. When returning the
wipers to their original position, do so from the passenger side first.
When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wip-
ers)
Set the wiper switch to the off position.
If the wiper switch is in “AUTO”, the wipers may operate and the wiper blades
may be damaged.
5117-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire inflation pres-
sure before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light. (P. 571)
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer
and the tire pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional. (P. 512)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
Vehicles with 17 inch tires: When rotating front and rear tires which
have different tire inflation pressures
When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing
traveling speed or load weight.
When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
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.
5147-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate prop-
erly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equipment)
tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• Lock nuts are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the wheels
or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
• If wheel without the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not reg-
istered in the tire pressure warning computer.
Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical
noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication device
When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off
could be extended.
When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has burst,
the warning may not function.
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.
5247-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_OM_OM76102E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions may
occur and result in an accident causing death or serious injury:
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause air
leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps are lost, replace them as
soon as possible.