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424
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck 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. 5 2 1 )
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? (→ P. 5 2 1 )
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 locksecurely?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights aimed correctly?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts 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 offree play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
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427
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)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 proce-
dure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition
(
→ P. 4 3 9 )•Warm water• Baking soda•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→ P. 4 3 8 )
• 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 3 6 )
• “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 coolant)
Engine oil level
(→ P. 4 3 3 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (→ P. 4 5 9 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 4 6 2 )
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
•Flathead screwdriver•Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser ( →P. 4 3 7 )
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( →P. 4 5 0 )• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d
(→ P. 4 4 1 )• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 433 of 584
431
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Wa s h e r f l u i d t a n k (
→P. 441)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 4 3 4 )
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 4 3 3 )
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 436) Brake fluid reservoir (
→P. 4 3 8 )
Fuse box ( →P. 4 5 9 )
Battery ( →P. 4 3 9 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 4 3 7 )
Radiator ( →P. 4 3 7 )1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 440 of 584

438
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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, fl ush the affected area with clean water imme-
diately. If you still experien ce 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 ref illing, there may be a serious problem.
Page 477 of 584

475
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)8-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
XIf the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the engine.
XIf the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the engine, press and hold
the engine switch for 2 consecutive
seconds or more, or press it briefly 3
times or more in succession.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
WA R N I N G
■If the engine has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the brakes
and steering wheel will be lo st, making the brake pedal
harder to depress and the steering wheel heavier to turn. Decelerate as much as possi-
ble before turning off the engine.
5
Page 478 of 584
476
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact your
Lexus dealer or commercial towing service before towing.
●The engine is running but 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 commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flat bed 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
Towing with a sling-type truck
Towing with a wheel-lift type truck
XFrom the front XFrom the rear
Release the parking brake. Use a towing dolly under the front
wheels.
Page 479 of 584
4778-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
8
When trouble arises
If your vehicle is transported by a flat
bed truck, it should be tied down at the
locations shown in the illustration.
If you use chains or cables to tie down
your vehicle, the angles shaded in black
must be 45 °.
Do not overly tighten the tie downs or
the vehicle may be damaged.
If a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be temporarily
towed using cables or chains secured to the emergency towing eyelets. This
should only be attempted on hard surfaced roads for 50 miles (80 km) at low at
under 18 mph (30 km/h).
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The vehicle’s
wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condition.
Using a flat bed truck
Emergency towing
Page 480 of 584
4788-2. Steps to take in an emergency
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
Take out the towing eyelet. (→P. 4 9 2 )
Remove the eyelet cover using a flat-
head screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a rag
between the screwdriver and the vehi-
cle body as shown in the illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the hole
and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
Securely attach cables or chains to the towing eyelet.
Take care not to damage the vehicle body.
Enter the vehicle being towed and start the engine.
If the engine does not start, turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode
Shift the shift lever to N and release the parking brake.
When the shift lever cannot be shifted: →P. 1 6 2
Emergency towing procedure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7