2014 Lexus GS250 Owner's Manual

457 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as that already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following situa-
tions, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be refilled in
between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or after
replacing the engine
●If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
●When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, when towing, or when
driving while accelerating or decelerating frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
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Engine oil selection →P. 635, 640
Oil quantity (Low → Full) 1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
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4586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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CAUTION
■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 dis-
pose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning 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.
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459 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
(→ P. 6 2 5 )
■Coolant selection
Only use “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 a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -35 °C [-31 °F])
For more details about engine coolant, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant reservoir caps, drain cock and
water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional, test the cap and check for leaks in the
cooling system.
Engine coolant
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4606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or the coolant inlet cap. (→P. 6 2 5 )
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 protection
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.
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461 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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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.
Check the battery as follows.
■Caution symbols
The meanings of each caution symbol on the top of the battery are as
follows:
Radiator and condenser
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious inju-
ries, such as burns.
Battery
No smoking, no naked
flames, no sparksBattery acid
Shield eyesNote operating instruc-
tions
Keep away from childrenExplosive gas
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4626-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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■Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that there
are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Checking battery fluid
Check that the level is between the “UPPER LEVEL” and “LOWER
LEVEL” lines.“UPPER LEVEL” line
“LOWER LEVEL” line
If the fluid level is at or below the
“LOWER LEVEL” line, add distilled
water.
■Adding distilled waterRemove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot
be seen, check the fluid level by
looking directly at the cell.
Put the vent plug back on and close it securely.
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Low O.K.2
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463 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the
ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the battery
The engine may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.
●Unlocking the doors using the smart entry & start system may not be possible
immediately after reconnecting the battery. If this happens, use the wireless remote
control or the mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the engine with the engine switch in ACCESSORY mode. The engine may
not start with the engine switch turned off. However, the engine will operate nor-
mally from the second attempt.
●The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the battery is reconnected,
the vehicle will return the engine switch mode to the status it was in before the bat-
tery was disconnected. Make sure to turn off the engine before disconnect the bat-
tery. Take extra care when connecting the battery if the engine switch mode prior
to discharge is unknown.
If the engine will not start even after multiple attempts at both methods, contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
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4646-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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CAUTION
■Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce hydro-
gen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death or serious
injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
●Keep children away from the battery.
■Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a garage
or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medi-
cal attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while
traveling to the nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical atten-
tion immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the clothing and
follow the procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.
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