
3776-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care
Fuse boxes ( → P.405)
Engine oil filler cap ( → P.380)
Engine coolant reservoir ( → P.381)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( → P.381)
Engine oil level dipstick ( → P.379)
Brake fluid reservoir ( → P.383)
Washer fluid tank ( → P.383)
Radiator ( → P.382)
Intercooler radiator ( → P.382)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( → P.382)
Intercooler sub radiator ( → P.382)For AWD models:
The engine oil level dipstick is locate d on the opposite side of the engine.Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L

3816-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 6
Maintenance and care engine oil may need to be refilled in
between oil maintenance intervals. ●
When the engine is new, for example
directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine●
If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate
viscosity is used●
When driving at high engine speeds or
with a heavy load, or when driving while
accelerating or decelerating frequently●
When leaving the engine idling for a long
time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic■
After changing the engine oil
The engine oil maintena nce data should be
reset. Perform the following procedures:
1 Press or of the meter control
switch to select .
2 Press or to select “Vehicle Set-
tings” and then press .
3 Press or to select “Oil Mainte-
nance” and then press .
4 Press or to select “Yes” and
then press .
A message will be displayed on the
multi-information disp lay when the reset
procedure has been completed.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “F” and “L” lines on the
reservoir when the engine is cold. ■
Engine coolant reservoir
Reservoir capWARNING
■
Used engine oil●
Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflamma-
tion and skin cancer, so care should be
taken to avoid prolonged and
repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thor-
oughly 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 house-
hold trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, 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 re fill the vehicle.●
Be sure the engine o il filler cap is prop-
erly tightened.
Checking the coolant
A

382 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) “F” line
“L” lineIf the level is on or below the “L” line, add
coolant up to the “F” line. ( → P.443)■
Intercooler coolant reservoir
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “F” and “L” lines on the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” lineIf the level is on or below the “L” line, add
coolant up to the “F” line. ( → P.443)
■
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 mix-
ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -31°F
[-35°C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix-
ture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -44°F
[-42°C])
For more details about coolant, contact
your Lexus dealer. ■
If the coolant level drops within a short
time of replenishing
Visually check the radi ator, hoses, engine
coolant reservoir caps, drain cock and
water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus
dealer test the cap and check for leaks in
the cooling system.
Check the radiator, condenser, inter-
cooler radiator and intercooler sub
radiator and clear away any foreign
objects. If either of the above parts is
extremely dirty or yo u are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.B
C
A
B
C WARNING■
When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reser-
voir cap, the intercooler coolant reser-
voir cap and the coolant inlet cap.
( → P.445)
The cooling system may be under pres-
sure and may spray hot coolant if the cap
is removed, causing serious injuries, such
as burns.
NOTICE■
When adding coolant
Coolant is neithe r plain water nor
straight antifreeze. The correct mixture
of water and antifreeze must be used to
provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read
the antifreeze or coolant label.
■
If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to pre-
vent it from damaging parts or paint.
Checking the radiator, con-
denser, intercooler radiator (if
equipped) and intercooler sub
radiator (if equipped)

4437-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
turn off the air conditioning system,
and then stop the engine.
2 If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
3 After the engine has cooled down
sufficiently, inspect the hoses and radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
Radiators
Cooling fan If a large amount of coolant leaks, immedi-
ately contact your Lexus dealer.
4 The coolant level is satisfactory if it
is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir.
Engine
Reservoir
“F” line
“L” line
Coolant inlet cap
IntercoolerIf your vehicle overheats The following may indicate that
your vehicle is overheating.
The engine coolant temperature
gauge ( → P.69, 72) is in the red
zone or a loss of engine power is
experienced. (For example, the
vehicle speed does not increase.)
“Engine Coolant Temp High Stop
in a Safe Place See Owner’s
Manual” is shown on the
multi-information display.
Steam comes out from under the
hood.
Correction procedures A
B
A
B
C
D

444 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) Reservoir
“F” line
“L” line
5 Add coolant if necessary.Water can be used in an emergency if
coolant is unavailable.
Engine →
P.444
Intercooler Remove the engine compartment cover
and add coolant. 6 Start the engine and turn the air
conditioning system on to check
that the radiator cooling fan oper-
ates and to check for coolant leaks
from the radiator or hoses. The fan operates when the air conditioning
system is turned on immediately after a
cold start. Confirm that the fan is operating
by checking the fan sound and air flow. If it
is difficult to check these, turn the air con-
ditioning system on and off repeatedly.
(The fan may not oper ate in freezing tem-
peratures.)
7 If the fan is not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and
contact your Lexus dealer.
If the fan is operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest Lexus dealer. ■
When adding engine coolant
Add coolant in accordance with the follow-
ing procedure.
1 Remove the engine compartment
cover.A
B
C

4457-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_OM50F54U_(U) 7
When trouble arises 2 Remove the engine cover.
Lift the front of the engine cover straight up
and then pull it forward.
3 Remove the caps and .
4 Add coolant through the inlet of the cap
up to the “F” line , and then
replace the cap .
5 Add coolant through the inlet of the cap
until it is full, and then replace the
cap .
6 Install the engine compartment cover
and engine cover.
Engage the claws of the engine cover to
install it. A B
A C
A
B
B WARNING■
When inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in serious
injury such as burns. ●
If steam is seen coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine com-
partment may be very hot. ●
Keep hands and clothing (especially a
tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from the
fan and belts.
Failure to do so may cause the hands
or clothing to be caught, resulting in
serious injury. ●
Do not loosen the coolant inlet cap,
the engine coolant reservoir cap or the
intercooler coolant reservoir cap while
the engine and radiator are hot.
High temperature steam or coolant
could spray out.
NOTICE
■
When adding engine coolant
Add coolant slowly after the engine has
cooled down sufficiently. Adding cool
coolant to a hot engine too quickly can
cause damage to the engine.
■
To prevent damage to the cooling sys-
tem
Observe the following precautions:
●
Avoid contaminating the coolant with
foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.).
●
Do not use any coolant additive.