Page 242 of 390

2426-2. Maintenance
Radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator
The radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator should 
be free from foreign 
objects. (P.254)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient 
washer fluid? 
( P.256)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck 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 
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?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake pedal move 
smoothly?
• 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 
     
        
        Page 246 of 390

2466-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Light bulbs 
( P.272)
• 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.254)
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P.263)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air 
source
Washer fluid 
( P.256)
• 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.254)
■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. 
     
        
        Page 249 of 390
2496-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RC350/RC300 AWDFuse boxes ( P.269)
Battery ( P.255)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.250)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.252)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.250)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.254)
Washer fluid tank ( P.256)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P.254)
Radiator ( P.254)
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J 
     
        
        Page 250 of 390
2506-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300Fuse boxes ( P.269)
Battery ( P.255)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.250)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.250)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.252)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.254)
Washer fluid tank ( P.256)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P.254)
Intercooler radiator ( P.254)
Radiator ( P.254)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.252)
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 it off, wait more than 5 min-
utes for the oil to drain back into the 
bottom of the engine.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Checking and adding the engine 
oil 
     
        
        Page 254 of 390

2546-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.314)
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 
     
        
        Page 313 of 390

3117-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
1Stop 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.
WARNING
●When working with the battery, always 
wear safety glasses and take care not 
to allow any battery fluids (acid) to 
come into contact with skin, clothing 
or the vehicle body.
●Do not lean over the battery.
●In the event that battery fluid comes 
into contact with the skin or eyes, 
immediately wash the affected area 
with water and seek medical attention. 
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the 
affected area until medical attention 
can be received.
●Always wash your hands after handling 
the battery support, terminals, and 
other battery-related parts.
●Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables, 
ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fans or engine drive 
belt.
If your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that 
your vehicle is overheating.
 The engine coolant temperature 
gauge ( P.64) is in the red zone 
or a loss of engine power is expe-
rienced. (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 
     
        
        Page 314 of 390
3127-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 AWD
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks, immedi-
ately contact your Lexus dealer.
 RC300
Radiator
Cooling fans
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 (“FULL” or “F”) 
and low (“LOW” or “L”) lines on the 
reservoir.
 Engine (RC350/RC300 AWD) Reservoir cap
“FULL” or “F”
“LOW” or “L”
 Engine (RC300)
Reservoir cap
“FULL” or “F”
“LOW” or “L”
 Intercooler (RC300)
Reservoir cap
“FULL” or “F”
“LOW” or “L”
A
B
A
B
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C 
     
        
        Page 315 of 390

3137-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
5Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency if 
coolant is unavailable.
Engine (RC350/RC300 AWD)
 Engine (RC300)
 Intercooler (RC300)
6
Start the engine and turn the air 
conditioning system on to check 
that the radiator cooling fans oper-
ate and to check for coolant leaks 
from the radiator or hoses.
The fans operate when the air conditioning 
system is turned on immediately after a 
cold start. Confirm that the fans are oper- ating by checking the fan sound and air 
flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the 
air conditioning system on and off repeat-
edly.
(The fans may not oper
ate in freezing tem-
peratures.)
7If the fans are not operating:
Stop the engine immediately and 
contact your Lexus dealer.
If the fans are operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the 
nearest 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.
●Keep hands and clothing (especially a 
tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from the 
fans and belts. Failure to do so may 
cause the hands or clothing to be 
caught, resulting in serious injury.