Page 381 of 748

3814-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
RX350_U_OM48E90U Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road conditions.
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking brake.
The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If necessary,
block the wheels to prevent in advertent sliding or creeping.When the parking brake is in automatic mode, release the parking brake after shifting
the shift lever to P. ( P. 2 3 5 )
Use the correct tire chain size when mounting the tire chains. Chain size is regu-
lated for each tire size.
Side chain:
0.12 in. (3 mm) in diameter
0.43 in. (10.8 mm) in width
0.98 in. (25 mm) in length
Cross chain:
0.15 in. (3.9 mm) in diameter
0.54 in. (13.8 mm) in width
1.00 in. (25.3 mm) in length
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location and type
of road. Always check local regulations before installing chains.When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
Selecting tire chains 1
2
3
4
5
6
Regulations on the use of tire chains
Page 386 of 748

386 4-6. Driving tips
RX350_U_OM48E90U WA R N I N G ■
Off-road driving precautions
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of death, serious injury
or damage to your vehicle: ●
Drive carefully when off the road. Do not ta ke unnecessary risks by driving in danger-
ous places. ●
Do not grip the steering wheel spokes when driving off-road. A bad bump could jerk
the wheel and injure your hands. Keep both hands and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim. ●
Always check your brakes for effectivenes s immediately after driving in sand, mud,
water or snow. ●
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no
grass, bush, paper, rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or trapped on the underbody.
Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with these materi-
als trapped or adhering to the underb ody, a breakdown or fire could occur.●
When driving off-road or in rugged terrai n, do not drive at excessive speeds, jump,
make sharp turns, strike objects, etc. This may cause loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You are also risking expensive damage to your vehi-
cle’s suspension and chassis.
NOTICE ■
To prevent water damage
Take all necessary safety measures to ensure that water damage to the engine or other
components does not occur. ●
Water entering the engine air intake will cause severe engine damage. ●
Water entering the automatic transmission will cause deterioration in shift quality,
locking up of your transmission accompan ied by vibration, and ultimately damage.●
Water can wash the grease from wheel be arings, causing rusting and premature fail-
ure, and may also enter the differential, tr ansmission and transfer (AWD models only)
case, reducing the gear o il’s lubricating qualities.■
When you drive through water
If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of
the water and the bottom of the riverbed for firmness. Drive slowly and avoid deep
water. ■
Inspection after off-road driving ●
Sand and mud that has accumulated around brake discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system components. ●
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off-road driving that has
taken you through rough terr ain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance
information, refer to the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment/Scheduled Maintenance”.
Page 560 of 748
560 7-1. Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U NOTICE ■
When using a high pressure car wash ●
When washing the vehicle, do not let water of the high pressure washer hit directly or
the vicinity of the camera. Due to the shock fr om the high pressure water, it is possible
the device may not operate as normal. ●
Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured cover), con-
nectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they come into contact
with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
•Brake parts ●
Vehicles with towing package: Do not point
the nozzle of a high pr essure washer at the
areas shown in the illustration, as high pres-
sure water may damage the oil cooler.
Page 566 of 748
566 7-2. Maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90UGeneral maintenance Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed at
the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Service Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”. It is recommende d that any problem you notice should
be brought to the attention of your Lexu s dealer or qualifie d service shop for
advice.
Engine compartment Items Check points
Battery Check the connections. ( P. 5 8 1 )
Brake fluid Is the brake fluid at the correct level? ( P. 5 8 0 )
Engine coolant Is the engine coolant at the correct level? ( P. 5 7 8 )
Engine oil Is the engine oil at the correct level? ( P. 5 7 5 )
Exhaust system There should not be any fumes or strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser The radiator and condenser should be free from for-
eign objects. ( P. 5 7 9 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d Is there sufficient washer fluid? ( P. 5 8 3 )
Page 567 of 748

5677-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U * : Vehicles with sing le-beam headlightsVehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is
the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( P. 6 8 0 )
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 6 8 0 )
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor
when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints • Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
* ( P. 6 0 8 )
Parking brake • Does the parking brake switch operate normally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,
is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts •Do the seat belt s operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of
free play?
• There should not be an y strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
Page 570 of 748

570
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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. Items Pa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition
( P. 5 8 1 ) •Warm water • Baking soda •Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P. 5 8 0 ) • 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. 5 7 8 ) • “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
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 engine coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 5 7 5 ) • “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 6 0 5 ) • Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Headlight aim
*( P. 6 0 8 ) • Phillips-head screwdriver
Light bulbs
( P. 6 1 0 ) • Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
•Flathead screwdriver •Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( P. 5 7 9 )
Page 574 of 748
574 7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90UEngine compartment
Wa s h e r f l u i d t a n k ( P. 5 8 3 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 5 76 )
Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 5 7 5 )
Engine coolant reservoir
( P. 5 7 8 ) Battery ( P. 5 8 1 )
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 5 8 0 )
Fuse box ( P. 6 0 5 )
Radiator ( P. 5 7 9 )
Condenser ( P. 5 7 9 )
Electric cooling fans1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 580 of 748

580 7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the tank.
■
Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item. ■
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.Brake fluid
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
WA R N I N G ■
When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and 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, see a doctor.
NOTICE ■
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 out or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refil ling, there may be a serious problem.