2020 LEXUS NX300 brake fluid

1514-1. Before driving
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
4
Driving
NOTICE
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not depress the accelerator and
brake pedals at the same time during
driving, as this may restrain the engine
output.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or
depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the
vehicle on a hill.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in
either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power
steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road,
drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the
vehicle, etc.
●Make sure to idle the engine immedi-
ately after high-speed driving or hill
climbing. Stop the engine only after
the turbocharger has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to
the turbocharger.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged ti re may cause the fol-
lowing situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the
brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehi-
cle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal
sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat
tire ( P.387)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded
after heavy rain, etc. Doing so may cause
the following serious damage to the vehi-
cle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water
immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded
road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure
to have your Lexus dealer check the fol-
lowing:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil
and fluid used for the engine, transmis-
sion, transfer (AWD vehicles), rear dif-
ferential (AWD vehicles), etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller
shaft (AWD models), bearings and
suspension joints (where possible),
and the function of all joints, bearings,
etc.
■When parking the vehicle
Always set the parking brake, and shift
the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may
cause the vehicle to move or the vehicle
may accelerate suddenly if the accelera-
tor pedal is accidentally depressed.

3276-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
2Press or of the meter control
switches, select the “Vehicle Settings”
and then press .
3
Press or of the meter control
switches, select the “Scheduled Mainte-
nance” and then press and hold the .
4
Select the “Yes” and push .
“The Data Has Been Reset” is displayed
on the multi-information display.
You can perform some maintenance
procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself
maintenance may affect warranty cov-
erage.
The use of Lexus repair manuals is recom-
mended.
For details about warranty coverage, refer
to the separate “Owner’s Guide”, “War-
ranty and Service Guide”, “Owner’s Man-
ual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.
Do-it-yourself maintenance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general main-
tenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in
the “Warranty and Service Guide”
or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
It is recommended that any prob-
lem you notice should be brought to
the attention of your Lexus dealer
or qualified service shop for advice.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there
is adequate ventilati on before perform-
ing maintenance checks.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
BatteryCheck the connections.
(  P.340)
Brake fluid
Is the brake fluid at the
correct level?
( P.340)
Engine/inter-
cooler coolantIs the engine/intercooler
coolant at the correct
level? ( P.338)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the
correct level? ( P.336)
Exhaust system
There should not be any
fumes or strange
sounds.

3286-2. Maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Radiator/con-
denser
The radiator and con-
denser should be free
from foreign objects.
( P.339)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer
fluid? ( P.342)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator
pedal
The accelerator pedal
should move smoothly
(without uneven pedal
effort or catching).
Automatic
transmission
“Park” mecha-
nismWhen 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?
• Does the brake pedal have the correct
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?
Indica-
tors/buzzersDo the indicators and
buzzers function prop-
erly?
LightsDo all the lights come
on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake switch operate
normally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking
brake is on, is the vehi-
cle securely stopped?
Seat belts
•Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
ItemsCheck points

3316-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condi-
tion (P.340)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp
bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P.340)
•FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 or SAE J1703;
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.338)
•“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” or a sim-
ilar high quality eth-
ylene glycol-based
non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and
non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid
organic acid technol-
ogy
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deion-
ized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deion-
ized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P.336)
•“Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or equiva-
lent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P.358)Fuse with same amper-
age rating as original
Light bulbs
( P.361)Bulb with same number
and wattage rating as
original
Headlight aimPhillips-head screw-
driver
Radiator and
condenser
( P.339)
—
ItemsParts and tools

3356-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Fuse box (P.358)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.338)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.336)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.336)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.338)
Battery ( P.340)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.340)
Radiator ( P.339)
Condenser ( P.339)
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank ( P.342)
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

3406-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■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;
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704
brake fluid
Items
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.
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
WARNING
■When the electric cooling fans are
operating
Do not touch the engine compartment.
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. Be sure the engine switch is
off when working near the electric cool-
ing fans or radiatorgrille.
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.
Checking the battery
A
B

3737-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven tire
wear
 Engine coolant temperature gauge
needle continually points higher
than normal
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when corner-
ing
 Strange noises related to the sus-
pension system
 Pinging or other noises related to
the engine
 Engine misfire or misses, 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. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

3757-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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When trouble arises
■Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)
■Charging system warning light*
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
■Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
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, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
(Red)
(Canada)
Indicates:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and con-
tact your Lexus dealer. Continuing to drive the vehi-
cle may be dangerous.