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7-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Service Guide”
or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any prob-
lem you notice should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer
or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery (gasoline vehicles)Check the battery fluid level and
connections. ( →P. 5 5 7 )
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
(→ P. 5 5 6 )
Engine coolant (gasoline vehicles)Is the engine coolant at the correct
level? ( →P. 553)
Engine/power control unit coolant
(hybrid vehicles)Is the engine/power control unit coolant
at the correct level? ( →P. 553)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
(→ P. 5 4 8 )
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be
free from foreign objects. ( →P. 555)
Wa s h e r f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid?
(→ P. 5 6 1 )
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery (hybrid vehicles)Check the connections. ( →P. 5 6 2 )
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7-2. Maintenance
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and may
need to be repaired. Contact your Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
●When the 12-volt battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may not be
completely set.
●When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehicle is
driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which include
OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks . The OBD system monitors the
operation of the emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after several
driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
12-volt battery condition
(gasoline vehicles) (→P. 5 5 7 )
•Warm water
•Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
12-volt battery condition
(hybrid vehicles) ( →P. 5 6 2 )•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( →P. 5 5 6 )
•FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level
(gasoline vehicles) ( →P. 553)
• “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 technol-
ogy
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 55% coolant and
45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine/power control unit coolant level
(hybrid vehicles) ( →P. 553)
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ES350_300h_OM_OM33B36U_(U)
5517-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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, or when driving while
accelerating or decelerating frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
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 your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 your Lexus dealer 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 warning
valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those speci-
fied. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressu re 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 your Lexus
dealer 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. 5 6 7 )
■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 cushion-
ing ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause damage to the
tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■Low profile tires (P225/45R18 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sus-
taining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the following:
●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.
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5817-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advance warning in the
event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters must be installed. (→P. 5 6 7 )
CAUTION
■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 acci-
dent.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your Lexus dealer or other
qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters at your Lexus dealer.
●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.
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8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission
transmission>. Contact your Lexus dealer or commercial towing service
before towing.
●Gasoline vehicles: The engine is running but the vehicle will not move.
●Hybrid vehicles: A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on
the multi-information display and the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Do not tow with a sling-type truck to
prevent body damage.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Lexus dealer or co mmercial towing service, using a lift-type truck
or flat bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provin-
cial and local laws.
Situations needs to contact dealers before towing
Towing with a sling-type truck
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7179-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
■Non-recommendation of the use of gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcyclo-
pentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel containing
MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this hap-
pens, contact your Lexus dealer for service.
■If your engine knocks
●Consult your Lexus dealer.
●You may occasionally notice light knocking for a short time while accelerating or
driving uphill. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
NOTICE
■Notice on fuel quality
●Do not use improper fuels. If improper fuels are used, the engine will be dam-
aged.
●Do not use leaded gasoline.
Leaded gasoline can cause damage to your vehicle’s three-way catalytic convert-
ers causing the emission control system to malfunction.
●Do not use gasohol other than the type previously stated.
Other gasohol may cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems.
●Using unleaded gasoline with an octane number or rating lower than the level
previously stated will cause persistent heavy knocking.
At worst, this will lead to engine damage.
■Fuel-related poor driveability
If poor driveability is encountered after using a different type of fuel (poor hot start-
ing, vaporization, engine knocking, etc.), discontinue the use of that type of fuel.
■When refueling with gasohol
Take care not to spill gasohol. It can damage your vehicle’s paint.