4687-2. Maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
■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. 115)
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 12-volt battery
12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com- pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after handling.( P. 481)
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Maintenance and care
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
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
12-volt battery con-
dition ( P. 481)
•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Engine/power con- trol unit coolant level
( P. 478)
• “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. 474)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P. 514)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs ( P. 518)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver• Flathead screwdriver
•Wrench
Radiator and condenser ( P. 480)
Tire inflation
pressure ( P. 505)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid ( P. 480)
• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
4777-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
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.
4987-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact any authorized Lexus de aler or repairer, or another duly quali- fied and equipped professional as the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valv es and the tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those specified.The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and trans- mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any authorizedLexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qu alified and equipped professional or other
qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liquid sealant, make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing the tire. ( P. 486)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes. These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushioning
ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■Low profile tires
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustain- ing impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressu re. If tires are under-inflated, they may be
damaged more severely.
●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs an d other road hazards. Failure to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressure of ea ch tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
5107-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Remove the air conditioning filter
from the filter case and replace it
with a new one.
The “ UP” marks shown on the filter
and the filter case should be pointing up.
■Checking interval
Inspect and replace the air conditioning filt er according to the maintenance schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic fl ow, early replacement may be required. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the “Lexus Service Booklet” or “Lexus Warranty Booklet”.)
■If air flow from the vents decreases dramatically
The filter may be clogged. Check the filter and replace if necessary.
■Air conditioning filter with deodorizing function
When fragrances are placed in your vehicle, the deodorizing effect may become signifi-
cantly weakened in a short period.
When an air conditioning odor comes out cont inuously, replace the air conditioning filter.
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NOTICE
■When using the air conditioning system
Make sure that a filter is always installed.
Using the air conditioning system without a filter may cause damage to the system.
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RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional or commercial towing service before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer , or another duly qualified and equipped
professional or commercial towing se rvice, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed 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
5758-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
NOTICE
■When performing an emergency repair
●Perform the emergency repair without removing the nail or screw that has punctured the tread of the tire. If the object that has punctured the tire is removed, repair by the
emergency tire puncture repair kit may not be possible.
●The kit is not waterproof. Make sure that the kit is not exposed to water, such as when it is being used in the rain.
●Do not put the kit directly onto dusty ground such as sand at the side of the road. If thekit vacuums up dust etc., a malfunction may occur.
●Make sure to stand the kit with the bottle vertical. The kit cannot work properly if it is
laid on its side.
■Handling the emergency ti re puncture repair kit
●The compressor power source should be 12 V DC suitable for vehicle use. Do not
connect the compressor to any other source.
●If gasoline splatters on the kit, the kit may deteriorate. Take care not to allow gasoline to contact it.
●Store the emergency tire puncture repair kit in the trunk. The kit may be thrown around during sudden braking and so forth, damaging the kit.
●Store the kit in its assigned place out of reach of children.
●Do not disassemble or modify the kit. Do not subject parts such as the air pressure indicator to impacts. This may cause a malfunction.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and trans- mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any authorizedLexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qu alified and equipped professional or other
qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liquid sealant, make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing the tire. ( P. 486)
6009-1. Specifications
RC300h_EE(OM24740E)
Oil viscosity (0W-20 is explained here as an example):
• The 0W in 0W-20 indicates the characteristic of the oil which allows cold
startability. Oils with a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of
the engine in cold weather.
• The 20 in 0W-20 indicates the viscosity characteristic of the oil when the
oil is at high temperature. An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher
value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or
under extreme load conditions.
How to read oil container labels:
Either or both API registered marks are added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
API Service Symbol
Top portion: “API SERVICE SN” means the oil quality designation byAmerican Petroleum Institute (API).
Center portion: “SAE 0W-20” means the SAE viscosity grade.Lower portion: “Resource-Conserv-
ing” means that the oil has fuel-saving and environmental protection capa-bilities.
ILSAC Certification Mark
The International Lubricant Specificatio n Advisory Committee (ILSAC) Certifica-
tion Mark is displayed on the front of the container.
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