Page 515 of 724

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 516 of 724

516
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
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. 530)
•Warm water•Baking soda•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine/intercooler coolant level
( P. 527)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitriteand 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. 524)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P. 566)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs ( P. 570)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver• Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator, condenser and intercooler radi-ator
( P. 529)
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 557)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P. 534)
• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
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 522 of 724
5227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
RC200t
For right-hand drive vehicles: The battery and the fuse box in front of the battery are located on the opposite side of the
engine compartment.
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes ( P. 566)
Battery ( P. 530)
Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 524)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 525)
Engine coolant reservoir
( P. 527)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 534)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 529)
Intercooler radiator ( P. 529)
Radiator ( P. 529)
Intercooler coolant reservoir
( P. 527)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Page 523 of 724
5237-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
RC F
For right-hand drive vehicles: The battery and the fuse box in front of the battery are located on the opposite side of theengine compartment.
Fuse boxes ( P. 566)
Battery ( P. 530)
Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 524)
Engine coolant reservoir
( P. 527)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 525)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 534)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 529)
Radiator ( P. 529)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Page 527 of 724
5277-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC200t_RC F_EE(OM24728E)
■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.
■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. 659)
Coolant
RC200tRC 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. 659)
1
2
3
1
2
3
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.