3214-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)Perform the following according to the driving conditions: ●
Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen. Pour
warm water over the frozen area to me lt the ice. Wipe away the water imme-
diately to prevent it from freezing. ●
To ensure proper operation of the c limate control system fan, remove any
snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front of the windshield. ●
Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accumulated on
the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassi s, around the tires or on the brakes.●
Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before getting in the
vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a sa fe distance between you and the vehicle
ahead, and drive at a reduced spee d suitable to road conditions.●
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to P without setting the parking
brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released. If
the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, make sure to block the
wheels.
Failure to do so may be dangerous because it may cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly, possibly leading to an accident. ●
If the vehicle is parked without setting the parking brake, confirm that the shift
lever cannot be moved out of P
* .
* : The shift lever will be locked if it is atte mpted to be shifted from P to any other posi-
tion without depressing the brake pedal. If the shift lever can be shifted from P, there
may be a problem with the shift lock sy stem. Have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer immediately.Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
When parking the vehicle
388 6-2. Maintenance
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U)Vehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal sh ould move smoothly (with-
out uneven pedal effort or catching).
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P, is
the vehicle securely stopped?
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance
from the floor? ( P. 547)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of
free play? ( P. 547)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one side when the
brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should no t get too close to the floor
when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(RC350/RC300) • Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake • Does the parking brake pedal move smoothly?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on,
is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of
free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming
from the steering wheel.
391
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U) 6
Maintenance and care 6-3. 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. Items Parts and tools
Battery condition
( P. 408) •Warm water • Baking soda •Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P. 407) • SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid
• SAE J1704 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/intercooler
coolant level
( P. 404) • “Toyota Super Long Life Coolan t” 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
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool ant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 400) • “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P. 429) • Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
( P. 432) • Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver •Flathead sc rewdriver
•Wrench
Radiator, condenser
and intercooler radi-
ator ( P. 406)
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P. 420) • Tire pressure gauge • Compressed air source
Washer fluid
( P. 411) • Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
4076-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U) 6
Maintenance and care ■
Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines on the
tank.
■
Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items. ■
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.Brake fluid
RC350/RC300
RC F
Fluid type SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 brake fluid
SAE J1704 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
WARNING ■
When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage painted surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your ey es, flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience di scomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE ■
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 out or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent ref illing, there may be a serious problem.
4537-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U) 7
When trouble arises
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, but then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system . However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspecte d by your Lexus dealer.
Warning light and warning buzzer list Warning light Warning light/Details/Actions(U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light
Indicates that:
• The brake fluid level is low; or
• The brake system is malfunctioning
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. (If equipped)
Charging system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Lexus dealer. (U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The electronic engine control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The electronic automatic transmission control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
SRS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• The front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (U.S.A.)
(Canada)
ABS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
454 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U) (U.S.A.)
(Canada)
Parking brake warning light (warning buzzer)
* 1
Indicates that the parking brake is engaged
Release the parking brake.
Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
Indicates a malfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering) sys-
tem
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
LDA (Lane Departure Alert) indicator
If the LDA indicato r is illuminated:
Indicates a malfunction in the LDA (Lane Departure Alert with
steering control) system.
Check the warning message displa yed on the multi-information
display. ( P. 460)
If the LDA indicator flashes:
Indicates that the vehicle has deviated from the lane (while the
LDA [Lane Departure Alert with stee ring control] system is oper-
ating)
Check the area around the vehicle and return the vehicle to
between the lane lines. (Flashes or illuminates)
PCS warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision System) or that
the system is temporarily unavailable due to the vehicle being
extremely hot/cold, or dirt around a front sensor, etc.
Follow the instructions displaye d on the multi-information dis-
play. ( P. 260, 470)
If the PCS (Pre-Collision System ) or VSC (Vehicle Stability Con-
trol) system is disabled, the PC S warning light will illuminate.
( P. 260)
Slip indicator
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system;
• The TRAC (Traction Control) system; or
• The hill-start assist control system
The light will flash when the VSC or the TRAC system is operating.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately. (If equipped)
Automatic headlight leve ling system warning light
Indicates a malfunction in the automatic headlight leveling system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Open door warning light (warning buzzer)
* 2
Indicates that a door or the trunk is not fully closed
Check that both side doors and the trunk are closed.Warning light Warning light/Details/Actions
458 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_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.
4757-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350_RC300 AWD_RC3 00_RC F_U(OM24748U) 7
When trouble arises Indicates a malfunction in the Brake Override System
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspecte d by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Indicates that engine oil level is low
This message may ap pear if the vehicle is stopped on a
slope. Move the vehicle to a level surface and check to
see if the message disappears.
Check the level of engine oil, and add if necessary.
RC F
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The automatic headlight leveling system; or
• The Automatic High Beam system; or
• The LED headlight system
A buzzer also sounds.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.Warning message Details/Actions