366 6-2. Maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 Radiator, con-
denser, inter-
cooler radiator
and intercooler
sub radiator The radiator, con-
denser, intercooler
radiator and inter-
cooler sub radiator
should be free from
foreign objects.
( P.378)
Washer fluid Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
( P.379)
Trunk Items Check points
Battery Check the connec-
tions. ( P.380)
Vehicle interior Items Check points
Accelerator
pedal • The accelerator
pedal should move
smoothly (without
uneven pedal effort
or catching).
Automatic trans-
mission “Park”
mechanism •When parked on a
slope and the shift
position is in P, is the
vehicle securely
stopped?Items Check points
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?
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?Items Check points
3696-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 6
Maintenance and care 6-3.Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service pre-
cautions If you perform maintenance by
yourself, be sure to follow the cor-
rect procedure as given in these
sections.
Maintenance Items Parts and tools
Battery condition
( P.380) •Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P.379) • FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 or SAE J1703
brake fluid
FMVSS No.116 DOT
4 or SAE J1704
brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for
adding brake fluid) Engine/inter-
cooler coolant
level ( P.377) •“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” or a
similar high quality
ethylene gly-
col-based non-sili-
cate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and
non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid
organic acid tech-
nology
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 Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45%
deionized water.
•Funnel (used only for
adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P.375) •“Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or equiv-
alent
• Rag or paper towel
•Funnel (used only for
adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P.401) •Fuse with same
amperage rating as
original
Radiator, con-
denser, inter-
cooler radiator
and intercooler
sub radiator
( P.378) Items Parts and tools
370 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P.395) • Tire pressure gauge
•Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
( P.379) • Water or washer
fluid containing anti-
freeze (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●
Keep hands, clothi ng and tools away
from the moving fan and engine drive
belt.●
Be careful not to touch the engine,
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.
■
When working near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION
ON mode, the electric cooling fan may
automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P.378)Items Parts and tools ■
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.
3736-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 6
Maintenance and care
Fuse boxes ( P.401)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.376)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.377)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.377)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.375)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.379)
Washer fluid tank ( P.379)
Radiator ( P.378)
Intercooler radiator ( P.378)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P.378)
Intercooler sub radiator ( P.378)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
378 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 “F” line
“L” lineIf the level is on or below the “L” line, add
coolant up to the “F” line. ( P.440)■
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.440)
■
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.442)
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)
3796-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 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 item.
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 the
warning message appears on the
multi-information display, the washer
tank may be empty. Add washer fluid.WARNING■
When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator, condenser,
intercooler radiator or intercooler sub
radiator 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 engine
is hot or running as washer fluid contains
alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on
the engine, etc.
440 7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 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.73, 76) 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
4417-2. Steps to take in an emergency
LS500_OM_(U)_1810 7
When trouble arises Reservoir
“F” line
“L” line
5 Add coolant if necessary.Water can be used in an emergency if
coolant is unavailable.
Engine
P.441
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.A
B
C