4507-2. Maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
■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 profes-
sionals. 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 advantag es in utilizing 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 economically 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 indicate
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 conditioning sys-
tem 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 immediately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost touches the floor,
vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal ( →P. 1 0 9 )
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipp ed professional as soon as possible. Your
vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
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 12-volt battery
12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after handling.
( → P. 4 6 3 )
451
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery con-
dition (
→P. 4 6 3 )•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Engine/power con-
trol unit coolant level
(→ P. 4 6 0 )
• “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 coolant)
Engine oil level
(→ P. 4 5 6 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( →P. 4 9 1 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 4 9 5 )
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver•Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiators and con-
denser ( →P. 4 6 2 )
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( →P. 4 8 2 )• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d
(→ P. 4 6 2 )• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
4597-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin dis-
orders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid pro-
longed 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 dispose 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 concerning 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.
4757-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
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 quali-
fied 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 warning 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 trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qu alified and equipped professional or other
qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liquid sealant, make sure to
replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing the
tire. ( →P. 4 6 8 )
■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 cushioning
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 (except 16-inch tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustain-
ing 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.
4857-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
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.
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 any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional or other qualified ser-
vice shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters at any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
●Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with non-genu-
ine wheels.
4877-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
Remove the air conditioning filter
from the filter case and replace it
with a new one.
The “↑UP” marks shown on the filter
and the filter case should be pointing up.
■Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filt er according to the maintenance schedule. In
dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, early replacement may be required. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the “Lexus Service Booklet” or
“Lexus Warranty Booklet”.)
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
5
NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the system.
514
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional or commercial towing service before towing.
●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.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped
professional or commercial towing service, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing
5598-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
■Run-flat tires (A “RFT” or “DSST” mark is molded on the sidewall)
Take your vehicle to the nearest
Lexus dealer or authorized tire
dealer as soon as possible if any tire
goes flat.
The vehicle can be driven for a maxi-
mum of 300 km (186 miles) at a
speed below 60 km/h (37 mph)
after the tire pressure warning light
comes on. (→P. 5 2 3 )
■In some conditions (such as at high temperatures)
You cannot continue driving for up to 300 km (186 miles).
■For the detailed information on run-flat tires
See the tire warranty booklet.
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with run-flat tires)
Your vehicle is not equipped with a sp are tire, but instead you can continue
driving the vehicle with run-flat tires even if any tire goes flat.In this case, slow
down and drive with extra caution.
NOTICE
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional as the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter may be dam-
aged if not handled correctly.
■When driving over bumps
If a vehicle has a flat tire, the vehicle height will be lower than usual. Ensure that nothing
strikes the bottom of the vehicle.
■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 trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qu alified and equipped professional or other
qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warn-
ing valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. ( →P. 4 6 8 )