5077-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are equivalent
to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width and inset*.
Replacement wheels are available at any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Lexus does not recommend using the following:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
●Used wheels
●Bent wheels that have been straightened
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with your alumi-
num wheels.
●When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the wheel nuts are
still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
●Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire chains.
●Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber
hammer when balancing your wheels.
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit- ters that allow the tire pressure warning sy stem to provide advance warning in the event
of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must be installed. (P. 486)
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Other-
wise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions
527
8When trouble arises
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
8-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers ..................528
If your vehicle has
to be stopped
in an emergency...................... 529
8-2. Steps to take
in an emergency
If your vehicle needs
to be towed................................530
If you think something
is wrong....................................... 536
If a warning light turns
on or a warning buzzer
sounds.......................................... 537
If a warning message
is displayed ................................ 542
If you have a flat tire .................. 563
If the hybrid system will
not start ....................................... 576
If the electronic key does
not operate properly ............. 578
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged .................................582
If your vehicle overheats ......... 587
If the vehicle becomes
stuck ............................................. 592
5368-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge continually points higher than normal.
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy fe eling, pedal almost touches the floor
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified an d equipped professional as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
5398-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Automatic headlight leveling system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the au tomatic headlight leveling system
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professionalimmediately.
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that a door or the trunk is not fully closed
Check that both side doors and the trunk are closed.
Low fuel level warning light Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 10 L (2.6 gal., 2.2 Imp.gal.) or less
Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light (warning
buzzer)*2
Warns the driver and/or front passe nger to fasten their seat belts Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to make the warning light(warning buzzer) turn off.
Rear passengers’ seat belt reminder lights (warning buzzer)*2
Warns the rear passengers to fasten their seat belts Fasten the seat belt.
Master warning light A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and flashes to
indicate that the master warnin g system has detected a malfunc- tion. P. 542
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on: Low tire inflation pressure such as• Natural causes ( P. 540)
• Flat tire ( P. 563) Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. The light will turn off after a few minutes. If the warning light
does not turn off after a few minutes, perform initialization ( P. 487). If the light does not turn off after performing initialization,have the system checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system Have the system checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
5408-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
*1: Open door warning buzzer:
P. 544
*2: Seat belt warning buzzer:
The seat belt warning buzzer sounds to al ert the driver, front passenger and rear pas- sengers that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds for 30 seconds
after the vehicle reaches a speed of 20 km/h (12 mph). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened, the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer
●If luggage is placed on a front passenger seat, the front passenger detection sensormay cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passen-
ger is not sitting in the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the warn- ing light may not operate properly.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
The malfunction indicator lamp will come on if the fuel tank becomes completely empty. If the fuel tank is empty, refuel the vehicle immediately. The malfunction indicator lamp
will go off after several trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and eq uipped professional as soon as possible.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage temporarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on and the warning buzzer
may sound.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Carry out the following procedure after the tire temperature has lowered sufficiently.
●Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
●If the warning light does not go out even afte r several minutes, check that the tire infla- tion pressure is at the specifie d level and carry out initialization.
The warning light may come on again if the above operations are conducted without first allowing the tire temperature to lower sufficiently.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as natural air leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjustingthe tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with the spare tire (if equipped)
The spare tire is not equipped with a tire pre ssure warning valve and transmitter. If a tire
goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will no t turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function properly
P. 489
5418-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute when the power switch is turned to ON mode, have it checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qua lified and equipped professional.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard due to being in a noisy location or audio
sound.
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional. The vehicle will
become extremely unstable during braking, and the ABS system may fail, which could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy. If the steering wheel becomes heavier than us ual when operating, hold firmly and oper- ate using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressureimmediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, repair the flat tire by using emergency tire puncture repair kit.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If th e vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
NOTICE
■To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly
Do not install tires with different specifications or makers, as the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.
5528-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Indicates a malfunction in the automatic headlight
leveling systemA buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The Automatic High Beam system (if equipped); or
• The LED headlight system A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
Indicates that the accelerator and brake pedals are
being depressed simultaneously, and the brake override
system is operating. ( P. 207)
Release the accelerator or brake pedal.
Indicates that the tire in flation pressure is low
Check the tire inflation pressure, and adjust to the
appropriate level.
Warning messageDetails/Actions
(Flashes)
5638-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
If you have a flat tire
Your vehicle is not equipped with a spare tire, but instead is equipped with an
emergency tire puncture repair kit.
A puncture caused by a nail or screw passing through the tire tread can be
repaired temporarily with the emergency tire puncture repair kit.
WARNING
■If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the wheel beyond repair. Driving with a flat tire may cause a circumferential groove on the side wall. Insuch a case, the tire may explode when using the emergency tire puncture repair kit,
resulting in death or serious injury.