4216-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
6
Maintenance and care
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at the recommended level, adjust the pres-
sure.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to deflate.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and adjustment,
apply soapy water to the valve and check for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure ev ery two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drivetrain
If a tire needs frequent inflating, ha ve it checked by your Lexus dealer.
Inspection and adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
4226-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven for more than
1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflat ion pressure to be higher after driving as heat is generated
in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur which could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards, expansion
joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjust ing tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or moisture may get into the valve and cause an air
leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressure.
4236-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
6
Maintenance and care
When replacing wheels, care should be ta ken to ensure that they are equivalent
to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
*: 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 1000 miles (1600 km).
●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 system 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. 413)
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
441
When trouble arises7
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
7-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .................. 442
If your vehicle has to be stopped in
an emergency .......................... 443
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................................... 444
If you think something is wrong ............................................ 451
Fuel pump shut off system ...... 452
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds.......................................... 453
If a warning message is displayed.....................................460
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with a
spare tire) ...................................489
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with
an emergency
tire puncture repair kit) ........502
If the engine will not start ......... 516
If the electronic key does not operate properly .............. 518
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................. 522
If your vehicle overheats ......... 526
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................................. 532
4517-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
7
When trouble arises
●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 cont inually 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 engine
●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 feeling, 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 your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
4557-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
7
When trouble arises
Low fuel level warning light
Indicates that remaining fuel is approximately 2.6 gal. (10 L, 2.2
Imp. gal.) or less
Refuel the vehicle.
Seat belt reminder light (warning buzzer)*3
Warns the driver and/or front passenger 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 re minder lights (warning buzzer)*3
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. 460
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 457)
•Flat tire ( P. 489, 502)
Adjust the tire inflation pres sure to the specified level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does
not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the
system checked by your Lexus dealer.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
4577-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)
7
When trouble arises
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front impact sensors, side
impact sensors (door), side impact sensors (front), side im pact sensors (rear), driver’s
seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front passenger occupant classifica-
tion system, “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “A IR BAG OFF” indicator light, front passen-
ger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioners, airbags, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. ( P. 41)
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detection sensor
may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passenger
is not sitting in the seat.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
First check the following:
●Is the fuel tank empty?
If it is, fill the fu el tank immediately.
●Is the fuel tank cap loose?
If it is, tighten it securely.
The light will go off after several driving trips.
If the light does not go off even after severa l trips, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insufficien t or the voltage temporarily drops, the
electric power steering system warning li ght may come on and the warning buzzer may
sound.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressu re and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch will not tu rn off the tire pressure warning light.
■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 caus ed by temperature. In this case, adjusting
the 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 pr essure warning valve and transmitter. If a tire
goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even though the flat tire has been
replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure wa rning system may not function properly
P. 417
■If the tire pressure warning light freque ntly comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute when the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mo de, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard due to being in a noisy location or audio
sound.
4587-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC300_RC F_U(OM24748U)
WARNING
■If both the ABS and the brake sy stem warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediat ely and contact your Lexus dealer. The vehi-
cle will become extremely unstable during br aking, and the ABS system may fail, which
could cause an accident resultin g in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the steering wheel firmly
and operate it using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precaution s. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
Vehicles with a spare tire
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
●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, change it
with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you ha ve 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 the 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.