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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
3856-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible
death or serious injury.
■Handling of the battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents , and a wide variety of automobile com-
ponents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo-
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other repr oductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash
any affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after han-
dling. ( P. 4 0 6 )
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
6-2. 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
BatteryCheck the battery fluid level and
connections. ( P. 4 0 6 )
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
( P. 4 0 5 )
Engine coolantIs the engine coolant at the correct
level? ( P. 4 0 2 )
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level?
( P. 3 9 9 )
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be
free from foreign objects. ( P. 404)
Wa s h e r f l u i dIs there sufficient washer fluid?
( P. 4 0 9 )
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
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
Battery condition ( P. 4 0 6 )
•Warm water
•Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 405)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level ( P. 4 0 2 )
•“To y o t a 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 oil level ( P. 3 9 9 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 4 2 9 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
3936-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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 precautions.
■When working on the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan 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.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P. 404)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get-
ting 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.
Page 397 of 612
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes ( P. 4 2 9 )
Battery ( P. 4 0 6 )
Engine oil level dipstick (P. 399)
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 4 0 2 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 400) Brake fluid reservoir
(P. 405)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 409)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 404)
Radiator ( P. 404)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 399 of 612
GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
3996-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine and
turning it off, wait more than 5 m inutes for the oil to drain back into
the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the oil
level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick ma y differ depending on the type of vehicle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
Flat dipstickNon-flat dipstick
6
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 cons umed 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 direct ly 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
Engine oil selection P. 5 3 9
Oil quantity (Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items Clean funnel
1
2
3
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GS350_OM_OM30E15U_(U)
4016-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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.
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.