
2446-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
Light bulbs 
( P.270)
• Bulb with same num-
ber and wattage rat-
ing as original
• Phillips-head screw- driver
• Flathead screw- driver
• Wrench
Radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator 
(  P.252)
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P.261)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air 
source
Washer fluid 
( P.254)
• 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 fans  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.
ItemsParts and tools●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 or the battery. 
Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working 
on the battery. It contains poisonous 
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cool-
ing fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION 
ON mode, the electric cooling fans may 
automatically start to run if the air condi-
tioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. ( P.252)
■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. 

2456-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
6
Maintenance and care
1Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2Pull up the auxiliary catch lever and 
lift the hood.
■If a symbol indicating the hood opens is 
shown on the multi-information display
 P.88
■Front
2WD models
Hood
Opening the hood
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood  is fully closed and 
locked. 
If the hood is not locked properly, it may 
open while the vehicle is in motion and 
cause an accident, which may result in 
death or serious injury.
Positioning a floor jack
When using a floor jack, follow the 
instructions in the manual provided 
with the jack and perform the oper-
ation safely.
When raising your vehicle with a 
floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement may 
damage your vehicle or cause 
injury.
Location of the jack point 

2506-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
RC300
1
Remove the oil filler cap by turning 
it counterclockwise.
2
Add engine oil slowly, checking the 
dipstick.
3
Install the oil filler cap by turning it 
clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be con-
sumed while driving. In the following situa-
tions, oil consumption may increase, and 
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 maintenance data should be 
reset. Perform the following procedures:
1
Select   on the multi-information dis-
play. ( P.76)
2
Press the   or   meter control 
switch on the steering wheel to select 
“Vehicle Settings” then “Oil Mainte-
nance”. (To confirm setting, press  .) 3
Select “Yes” and then press  .
4
A message is displayed on the 
multi-information display.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is 
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines 
WARNING
■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, ser-
vice 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 refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine o il filler cap is prop-
erly tightened.
Checking the coolant 

2526-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
Check the radiator, condenser and 
intercooler radiator and clear away 
any foreign objects. 
If any of the above parts are extremely 
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle inspected by 
your Lexus dealer.
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be 
between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines 
on the tank.
RC350/RC300 AWD
RC300
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and 
prepare the necessary item.
 Fluid type
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 
brake fluid
SAE J1704 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 
brake fluid
Item
Clean funnel
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reser-
voir cap, intercooler coolant reservoir 
cap and coolant inlet cap. ( P.312)
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 damagi ng parts or paint.
Checking the radiator, con-
denser and intercooler radiator 
(if equipped)
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator, condenser or 
intercooler radiator as they may be hot 
and cause serious injuries, such as burns.
Checking and adding the brake 
fluid 

2536-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
6
Maintenance and care
■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.
Check the battery as follows.
■Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals 
are not corroded and that there are no 
loose connections, cracks, or loose 
clamps. Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces 
hydrogen gas which is flammable and 
explosive. Therefore, observe the following 
before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on 
the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the 
ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the char-
ger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the bat-
tery
The engine may not start. Follow the proce-
dure below to initialize the system.
1
Shift the shift lever to P.
2
Open and close either door.
3
Restart the engine.
●Unlocking the doors using the smart 
access system with pu sh-button start may 
not be possible immediately after recon-
necting the battery. If this happens, use 
the wireless remote control or the 
mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the engine with the engine switch in 
ACCESSORY mode. The engine may 
not start with the engine switch turned off. 
However, the engine will operate nor-
mally from the second attempt.
●The engine switch mode is recorded by 
the vehicle. If the battery is disconnected 
and reconnected, the vehicle will return 
the engine switch mode to the status it 
was in before the battery was discon-
nected. Make sure to turn off the engine 
before disconnecting the battery. Take 
extra care when connecting the battery if 
the engine switch mode prior to the bat-
tery being disconnected is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multi-
ple attempts, contact your Lexus dealer.
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 level in the accumulator 
is high.
If the reservoir need s frequent refilling, 
there may be a serious problem.
Battery
A
B 

2546-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
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.
RC350/RC300 AWD
WARNING
■Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corro-
sive sulfuric acid and may produce 
hydrogen gas which is flammable and 
explosive. To reduce the risk of death or 
serious injury, take the following precau-
tions while working on or near the bat-
tery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the 
battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the 
battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and 
clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when 
working near the battery.
●Keep children away from the battery.
■Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open 
area. Do not charge the battery in a 
garage or closed room where there is 
insufficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or 
less). The battery may explode if charged 
at a quicker rate.
■Emergency measures regarding 
electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at 
least 15 minutes and get immediate med-
ical attention. If possible, continue to 
apply water with a sponge or cloth while 
traveling to the nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you 
feel pain or burning, get medical atten-
tion immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your 
skin. Immediately take off the clothing 
and follow the procedure above if neces-
sary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. 
Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the  battery while the 
engine is running. Also, be sure all acces-
sories are turned off.
Adding the washer fluid 

2556-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
6
Maintenance and care
RC300 Check if the treadwear indicators are 
showing on the tires. Also check the 
tires for uneven wear, such as excessive 
wear on one side of the tread.
Check the spare tire condition and 
pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is 
shown by a “TWI” or “ ” mark, etc., 
molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indica-
tors are showing on a tire.
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.
NOTICE
■Do not use any fluid other than 
washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine anti-
freeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the 
vehicle’s painted surfaces, as well as 
damaging the pump leading to problems 
of the washer fluid not spraying.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as neces-
sary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed 
on the label of the washer fluid bottle.
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accor-
dance with maintenance schedules 
and treadwear.
Checking tires
A
B
C 

2576-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350AWD_RC350_RC300AWD_RC30
0_OM_(U)_1810
6
Maintenance and care
Vehicles with front and rear tires of 
the same size
Rotate the tires in the order shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend tire life, 
Lexus recommends that tire rotation is car-
ried out at the same in terval as tire inspec-
tion.
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure 
warning system after tire rotation.
Vehicles with front and rear tires of 
differing sizes
Tires cannot be rotated.
■When rotating the tires
Make sure that the engine switch is off. If the 
tires are rotated while the engine switch is in 
IGNITION ON mode, the tire position 
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to 
prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to 
parts of the drivetrain as well as danger-
ous handling characteristics, which may 
lead to an accident  resulting in death or 
serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, 
models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably 
different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those 
recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed 
tires (radial, bias-b elted or bias-ply 
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and 
snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used 
on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know 
how they were used previously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a com-
pact spare tire installed.
NOTICE
■Low profile tires
Low profile tires may cause greater dam-
age than usual to the tire wheel when 
sustaining impact from the road surface. 
Therefore, pay attention to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation 
pressure. If tires are under-inflated, 
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, 
curbs and other road hazards. Failure 
to do so may lead to severe tire and 
wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressure of each tire 
becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires 
and/or wheels may be ruined.
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on 
roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire 
inflation pressure, reducing the cushion-
ing ability of the tires. In addition, driving 
on rough roads may cause damage to 
the tires themselves, as well as the vehi-
cle’s wheels and body.
Tire rotation