
3116-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Radiator/con-
denser
The radiator and con-
denser should be free 
from foreign objects. 
( P.321)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient 
washer fluid? 
( P.322)
Trunk
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery
Check the battery fluid 
level and connections. 
( P.323)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator 
pedal
• The accelerator 
pedal should move 
smoothly (without 
uneven pedal effort 
or catching).
Hybrid transmis-
sion “Park” mech-
anism
•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 appro-
priate clearance 
from the floor?
•Does the brake  pedal have the cor-
rect amount of free 
play?
ItemsCheck points
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 not get too 
close to the floor 
when the brakes are 
applied.
Head restraints
•Do the head restraints move 
smoothly and lock 
securely?
Indicators/buzz-
ers•Do the indicators and buzzers function 
properly?
Lights
• Do all the lights come on?
• Are the headlights  aimed correctly?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake operate nor-
mally?
• When parked on a  slope and the park-
ing brake is on, is the 
vehicle securely 
stopped?
Seat belts
• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should  not be damaged.
ItemsCheck points 

3156-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Radiator and 
condenser 
( P.321)
Tire inflation 
pressure 
( P.334)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid 
( P.322)
• Water or washer fluid 
containing antifreeze 
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for  adding water or washer 
fluid)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many 
mechanisms and fluids that may move 
suddenly, become hot, or become elec-
trically energized. To avoid death or seri-
ous injury, observe the following 
precautions.
■When working on the engine com-
partment
●Make sure that the “IGNITION ON” 
on the multi-information display and 
the “READY” indicator are both off.
●Keep hands, clothi ng and tools away 
from the moving fan and engine drive 
belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, 
power control unit, radiator, exhaust 
manifold, etc. right after driving as they 
may be hot. Oil and other fluids may 
also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn 
easily, such as paper and rags, in the 
engine compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose 
an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes are 
flammable.
ItemsParts and tools■When working near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the 
electric cooling fan may automatically 
start to run if the air conditioning is on 
and/or the coolant temperature is high. 
(  P.321)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or 
falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get-
ting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter 
removed may cause excessive engine 
wear due to dirt in the air. 

3186-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Fuse boxes (P.341)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.319)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.318)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.322)
Radiator ( P.321)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.321)
Power control unit coolant reservoir ( P.321)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.320)
Washer fluid tank ( P.322)
■12-volt battery
 P.323
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level 
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Checking and adding the engine 
oil 

3216-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L” line, add 
coolant up to the “F” line. ( P.389)
■Power control unit coolant reser-
voir
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW” line, 
add coolant up to the “FULL” line. 
(  P.390)
■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 radiator, hoses, 
engine/power control unit 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 and condenser and 
clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely 
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle inspected by 
your Lexus dealer.
A
B
C
A
B
C
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the en gine/power control 
unit coolant reservoir caps or the radia-
tor cap. ( P.391)
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 neither 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 and con-
denser 

3226-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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.
 Fluid type
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 
brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704 
brake fluid
Item
Clean funnel
■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.
If any washer does not work or “Wind-
shield Washer Fluid Low” is shown on 
the multi-information display, the 
washer tank may be empty. Add 
washer fluid.
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser 
as they may be hot and cause serious 
injuries, such as burns.
Checking and adding the brake 
fluid
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your 
hands and eyes and damage painted sur-
faces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, 
flush the affected area with clean water 
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, 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 leve l in the accumulator 
is high.
If the reservoir need s frequent refilling, 
there may be a serious problem.
Adding the washer fluid
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the hybrid 
system is hot or operating as washer fluid 
contains alcohol and may catch fire if 
spilled on the engine etc. 

3897-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
If the engine coolant temperature 
gauge enters the red zone or 
“Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in 
a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual” 
is shown on the multi-information 
display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe place and 
turn off the air conditioning system, 
and then stop the hybrid system.
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 hybrid system has cooled 
down sufficiently, inspect the hoses 
and cooling system for leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fan
If a large amount of coolant leaks, immedi-
ately contact your Lexus dealer.
4The coolant level is satisfactory if it 
is between the “F” and “L” lines on 
the reservoir.
Reservoir
“F” line
“L” line
Coolant inlet cap
5 Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency if 
If your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that 
your vehicle is overheating.
The engine coolant temperature 
gauge ( P.70) is in the red zone 
or a loss of hybrid system power is 
experienced. (For example, the 
vehicle speed does not increase.)
 “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop 
in a Safe Place See Owner’s 
Manual” or “Hybrid system over-
heated Output power reduced” is 
shown on the multi-information 
display.
 Steam comes out from under the 
hood.
Correction procedures
A
B
A
B
C
D 

3907-2. Steps to take in an emergency
engine coolant is unavailable.
6Start the hybrid system 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 operate in freezing tem-
peratures.)
7 If the fan is not operating: 
Stop the hybrid system immediately 
and contact your Lexus dealer.
If the fan is operating: 
Have the vehicle inspected at the 
nearest Lexus dealer.
If “Hybrid system overheated Out-
put power reduced” is shown on the 
multi-information display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
2 Stop the hybrid system and care-
fully lift the hood. 3
After the hybrid system has cooled 
down, inspect the hoses and radia-
tor core (radiato r) for any leaks.
Radiator
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 “FULL” and “LOW” 
lines on the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
5 Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency if 
A
B
A
B
C 

3917-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
power control unit coolant is unavailable.
6After stopping the hybrid system 
and waiting for 5 minutes or more, 
start the hybrid system again and 
check if “Hybrid system overheated 
Output power reduced” is shown 
on the multi-information display.
If the message does not disappear: 
Stop the hybrid system and contact your 
Lexus dealer.
If the message is not displayed: 
The hybrid system temperature has 
dropped and the vehicle may be driven 
normally.
However, if the message appears again fre-
quently, contact your Lexus dealer.
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.
●After the hybrid system has been 
turned off, check that the “READY” 
indicator are off.
When the hybrid system is operating, 
the gasoline engine may automatically 
start, or the cooling fan may suddenly 
operate even if the gasoline engine 
stops. Do not touch or approach rotat-
ing parts such as the fan, which may 
lead to fingers or clothing (especially a 
tie, a scarf or a muffler) getting caught, 
resulting in serious injury.
●Do not loosen the coolant inlet cap or 
coolant reservoir caps while the hybrid 
system and radiator are hot.
High temperature steam or coolant 
could spray out.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control 
unit coolant
Add coolant slowly after the hybrid sys-
tem has cooled down sufficiently. Adding 
cool coolant to a hot hybrid system too 
quickly can cause damage to the hybrid 
system.
■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.