2014 LEXUS RX270 Owners Manual

457
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
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, alkaline
or 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 that contain 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 under the floor of 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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458
RX350/270_EE
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular main-
tenance are essential. Lexus recommends the following maintenance:
■Scheduled maintenance
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For full details of your maintenance schedule, read the “Lexus Service
Booklet” or “Lexus Warranty Booklet”.
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little
mechanical 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 experienced do-it-yourself mechanic, we recommend that repairs
and maintenance be conducted by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional. Any autho-
rized 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 professional other than an
authorized Lexus repairer to service or maintain your vehicle, we recom-
mend that you request that a record of maintenance be kept.
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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
■Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Lexus recommends
that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and repairs be
carried out by authorized Lexus dealers or repairers or other duly qualified and
equipped professionals. For repairs and services covered by your warranty, 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 utiliz-
ing 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 professional
will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and econom-
ically 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 indi-
cate 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 driving straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost touches
the floors, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
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 possible.
Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
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4-2. Maintenance
RX350/270_EE
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
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds
which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after handling.
(→P. 4 7 9 )
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4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct pro-
cedures as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (→P. 4 7 9 )
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
•Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine coolant level (→P. 4 7 7 )
• “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 cool-
ant)
Engine oil level(→P. 4 7 2 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine oil)
Fuses (→P. 5 0 4 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
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462
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350/270_EE
ItemsParts and tools
Light bulbs (→P. 5 1 6 )
• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
•Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator and condenser (→P. 4 7 8 )
Tire inflation pressure (→P. 4 9 5 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d (→P. 4 8 2 )
• Water or washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water
or washer fluid)
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury,
observe the following precaution:
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fans and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing 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 or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
●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 “ENGINE START STOP” switch is off.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high. (→P. 4 7 8 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in your eyes
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464
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350/270_EE
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.
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