Page 495 of 724

495
7
Maintenance and care
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
Battery condition
(→ P. 513)•Warm water• Baking soda•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(→ P. 512)• SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/intercooler
coolant level
(→ P. 509)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolan t” 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 Cool ant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( → P. 504)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
(→ P. 540)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 543)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver•Flathead sc rewdriver
•Wrench
Radiator, condenser
and intercooler radi-
ator (→P. 511)
⎯
Tire inflation pres-
sure (→P. 531)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(→ P. 516)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
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4967-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move suddenly,
become hot, or become electrically energize d. 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 driving
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 corro-
sive 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 auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high.
( → P. 511)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting in
your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner f ilter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt
in the air.
Page 501 of 724
5017-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC350/RC300
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes (→P. 540)
Battery ( →P. 513)
Engine oil level dipstick (→P. 504)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 509)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 506)Brake fluid reservoir (
→P. 512)
Washer fluid tank ( →P. 516)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 511)
Radiator (→ P. 511)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 502 of 724
5027-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC200t
Fuse boxes (→P. 540)
Battery ( →P. 513)
Engine oil level dipstick (→P. 504)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 506)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 509)
Brake fluid reservoir ( →P. 512) Washer fluid tank (
→P. 516)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 511)
Intercooler radiator (→ P. 509)
Radiator (→ P. 511)
Intercooler coolant reservoir (→P. 511)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Page 503 of 724
5037-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC F
Fuse boxes (→P. 540)
Battery ( →P. 513)
Engine oil level dipstick (→P. 504)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 509)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 506)Brake fluid reservoir (
→P. 512)
Washer fluid tank ( →P. 516)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 511)
Radiator (→ P. 511)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Page 509 of 724
5097-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■Engine coolant reservoir
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Coolant
RC350/RC300RC200t
RC F
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW” lin e, add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
( → P. 630)
1
2
3
Page 510 of 724

5107-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Intercooler coolant reservoir (RC200t only)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on the res-
ervoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L” line,
add coolant up to the “F” line.
(→ P. 630)
■Coolant selection
Only use “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.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixt ure of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
(Minimum temperature: -31 °F [-35 °C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool ant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
(Minimum temperature: -44° F [-42°C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, ho ses, engine and intercooler coolant reservoir caps, drain
cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus de aler test the cap and check for leaks in the
cooling system.
1
2
3
Page 511 of 724

5117-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Check the radiator, condenser and intercooler radiator and clear away any for-
eign objects.
If any of the above parts are extremely dirt y or you are not sure of their condition,
have your vehicle inspecte d by your Lexus dealer.
WARNING
■When the engine is hot (RC350/RC300/RC200t)
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap, intercooler coolant reservoir cap and
radiator cap. ( →P. 634)
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
■When the engine is hot (RC F)
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap. (→P. 634)
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of water and
antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion protection and cool-
ing. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.
Radiator, condenser and intercooler radiator (if equipped)
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator, condenser or inte rcooler as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.