
3296-2. Maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
SeatsDo the seat controls
operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering
wheel rotate
smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the cor-
rect amount of free
play?
•There should not be any strange sounds
coming from the
steering wheel.
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
DoorsDo the doors operate
smoothly?
Engine hood
Does the engine hood
lock system work prop-
erly?
Fluid leaks
There should not be any
signs of fluid leakage
after the vehicle has
been parked.
ItemsCheck points
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-
sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to
the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wip-
ers/rear win-
dow wiper
• The wiper blades should not show any
signs of cracking,
splitting, wear, con-
tamination or defor-
mation.
• The wiper blades should clear the wind-
shield/rear window
without streaking or
skipping.
ItemsCheck points

3326-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Tire inflation
pressure
( P.351)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
( P.342)
• 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
●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 or the battery.
Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautions when working
on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
ItemsParts and tools■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.339)
■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.

3366-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■Removing the engine compart-
ment cover
■Installing the clips
1
Insert
2
Press With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
1
Park the vehicle on level ground.
After warming up the engine and
turning off the engine, wait more
than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
2
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
3
Wipe the dipstick clean.
4
Reinsert the dipstick fully with its
protruding areas ( in the illustra-
tion) pointing towards engine.
Engine compartment cover
NOTICE
■After installing an engine compart-
ment cover
Make sure that the cover is securely
installed in its original position.
Checking and adding the engine
oil
A

3416-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces
hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following
precautions 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 pro-
cedure below to initialize the system.
1
Shift the shift lever to P.
2
Open and close any of the doors.
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 reconnected,
the vehicle will return the engine switch
mode to the status it was in before the
battery was disconnected. Make sure to
turn off the power before disconnect the
battery. Take extra care when connecting
the battery if the engine switch mode
prior to discharge is unknown.
If the system will not st art even after multiple
attempts at all methods above, contact your
Lexus dealer.
WARNING
■Chemicals in the battery
Battery contains 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 sa fety 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.
■Emergency measures regarding
electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at
least 15 minutes and get immediate
medical 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
attention 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 nec-
essary.

3456-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
Front
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure warning system that uses tire
pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters to detect low tire inflation pressure
before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a
predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light.
( P.380)
The tire pressure detected by the
tire pressure warning system can be
displayed on the multi-information
display.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not
replace routine tire inflation pressure
checks. Make sure to check tire inflation
pressure as part of your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Situations in which the tire pressure
warning system may not operate prop-
erly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure
warning system may not operate prop-
erly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equipment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains, etc. are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehi-
cle, particularly around the wheels or
wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely
higher than the specified level.
• If wheel without the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warn- ing valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning
computer.
●Performance may be af fected in the fol-
lowing situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio stat ion, large display,
airport or other fac ility that generates
strong radio waves or electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular
phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication device
●When the vehicle is parked, the time
taken for the warning to start or go off
could be extended.
●When tire inflation pr essure declines rap-
idly for example when a tire has burst, the
warning may not function.
Tire pressure warning system
A

3496-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
istered by your Lexus dealer.
( P.350)
■When replacing the tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter is not registered, the
tire pressure warning system will not work
properly. After driving for about 20 min-
utes, the tire pressure warning light blinks
for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a sys-
tem malfunction.■The tire pressure warning system
must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
When adjusting the tire inflation
pressure.
When the tire inflation pressure is
changed such as when changing
traveling speed.
When rotating the tires.
When changing the tire.
When the tire pressure warning system
is initialized, the current tire inflation
pressure is set as the benchmark pres-
sure.
■How to initialize the tire pressure
warning system
1
Park the vehicle in a safe place and
turn the engine switch off.
Initialization cannot be performed while
the vehicle is moving.
2Adjust the tire inflation pressure to
the specified cold tire inflation pres-
sure level.
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the
specified cold tire inflation pressure level.
The tire pressure warning system will oper-
ate based on this pressure level.
3Turn the engine switch to IGNI-
TION ON mode.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels,
tire pressure warning valves, trans-
mitters and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels,
tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your
Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters may be
damaged if not handled correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps.
If the tire valve caps are not installed,
water could enter the tire pressure
warning valves and the tire pressure
warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not
use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid seal-
ants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a
liquid sealant is used , contact your Lexus
dealer or other qualified service shop as
soon as possible. After use of liquid seal-
ant, make sure to re place the tire pres-
sure warning valve and transmitter when
repairing or replacing the tire. ( P.345,
354)
Initializing the tire pressure
warning system

3526-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Tire pressure gauge
1
Remove the tire valve cap.
2
Press the tip of the tire pressure
gauge onto the tire valve.
3
Read the pressure using the gauge
gradations.
4
If the tire inflation pressure is not at
the recommended level, adjust the
pressure.
If you add too much air, press the
center of the valve to deflate.
5
After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurem ent and adjust-
ment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
6
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pres-
sure
Driving with incorrect ti re inflation pressure
may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor han-
dling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it
checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation
pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure,
observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at
least 3 hours or has not been driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an
accurate cold tire inflation pressure read-
ing.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly
inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the ti
re inflation pressure
to be higher after driving as heat is gen-
erated in the tire. Do not reduce tire infla-
tion pressure after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity
weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should
be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
B
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire
performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the
following conditions may occur which
could lead to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from
overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and
wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire dam-
age
●Greater possibility of tire damage
while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the
road, etc.)

3606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Type A
Adjustment bolt A
Adjustment bolt B
Type BAdjustment bolt A
Adjustment bolt B
Make sure the vehicle has a full tank
of gasoline and the area around the
headlight is not deformed.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Make sure the tire inflation pressure is at the specified level.
Have someone sit in the driver’s
seat.
Bounce the vehicle several times.
1 Using a Phillips-head screwdriver,
turn bolt A in either direction.
Remember the turning direction
and the number of turns.
Type A
Type B
2 Turn bolt B the same number of
turns and in the same direction as
step 1.
If the headlight cannot be adjusted using
this procedure, take the vehicle to your
Lexus dealer to adjust the headlight aim.
Headlight aim
Vertical movement adjusting
bolts
Before checking the headlight
aim
A
B
A
B
Adjusting the headlight aim