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5157-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
■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 ot her 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 youmay encounter. There can also be advantages in utilizing authorized Lexus dealers or
repairers for non-warranty repa irs 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. 118, 124)
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.
WARNING
■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
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after handling. ( P. 530)
Page 517 of 724

5177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
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 andbattery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and corro-
sive sulfuric acid.
●Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted sur- faces. If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean
water immediately. If you still experience discomfort, consult a doctor.
■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. 529)
■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 filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt in the air.
■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 or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refillin g, it may indicate a serious problem.
Page 518 of 724
5187-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch lever and
lift the hood.
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
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WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked. If the hood is not locked properly, it may op en while the vehicle is in motion and cause
an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
Page 526 of 724

5267-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
■After changing the engine oil (RC200t only)
The engine oil maintenance data should be reset. Perform the following procedures:
While the vehicle is stopped, press the meter control switch on the steering wheel.
Press the or meter control switch on the st eering wheel, select, and then
press the meter control switch.
Press or meter control switch on the steering wheel to select “Oil Maintenance”
and then press .
Select “Yes” and then press .
A message will be displayed on the multi-information display.
WARNING
■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 repair er, 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.
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Page 528 of 724

5287-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
■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 hybridorganic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixt ure of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -35 C [-31F])
For more details about coolant, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine and intercooler coolant reservoir caps, drain
cock and water pump. If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another dulyqualified and equipped professional, test the cap and check for leaks in the cooling sys-
tem.
WARNING
■When the engine is hot (RC200t)
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap, intercooler coolant reservoir cap and radiator cap. ( P. 662)
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. 662) The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap isremoved, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
Page 529 of 724
5297-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
Check the radiator, condenser and intercooler radiator and clear away any for-
eign objects.
If any of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of their condition,
have your vehicle inspected by any au thorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
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 intercooler radiator as they may be hot and cause serious injuries, such as burns.
Page 533 of 724

5337-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
WARNING
■Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To redu ce the risk of death or serious injury, take
the following precautions while working on or near the battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
●Keep children away from the battery.
■Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a garage or
closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or cloth while traveling tothe nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skinWash the affected area thoroughly. If you f eel pain or burning, get medical attention immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothesIt can soak through clothing on to your sk in. Immediately take off the clothing and fol- low the procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyteDrink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention immedi-ately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also, be sure all accessories
are turned off.
■When adding distilled water
Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during battery recharging may cause corrosion.
Page 534 of 724
5347-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
If any washer does not work or the warning message appears on the multi-infor-
mation display, the washer tank may be empty. Add washer fluid.
Washer fluid
RC200tRC F
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the engine is hot or running as washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid. Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary. Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bottle.