2021 LEXUS ES300h maintenance

3236-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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 maintena nce data should be
reset. Perform the following procedures:
1 While the vehicle is stopped, press
of the meter control switches.
2 Press or of the meter control
switches, and select .
3 Press or of the meter control
switches, select “Veh icle Settings”, and
then press “OK”.
4 Press or of the meter control
switches, select “Oil Maintenance”, and
then press “OK”.
5 Select “Yes” and then press “OK”.
A message will be displayed on the multi-
information display.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “F”/“FULL” and
“L”/“LOW” lines on the reservoir when
the hybrid system is cold.
■Engine coolant reservoir
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, service 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 re fill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine o il filler cap is prop-
erly tightened.
Checking the coolant

3246-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or below the “L” line, add
coolant up to the “F” line. ( P.396)
■Power control unit coolant reser-
voir
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW” line,
add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
(  P.397)
■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 radiator, hoses,
engine/power control unit coolant reser-
voir 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 and condenser and
clear away any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle inspected by
your Lexus dealer.
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WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine/power con-
trol unit coolant reservoir caps or the
radiator cap. ( P.398)
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 and con-
denser

3256-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 items.
 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 effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
If any washer does not work or “Wind-
shield Washer Fluid Low” is shown on
the multi-information display, the
washer tank may be empty. Add
washer fluid.
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser
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 needs frequent refilling,
there may be a serious problem.
Adding the washer fluid
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the hybrid
system is hot or operating as washer fluid
contains alcohol and may catch fire if
spilled on the engine etc.

3266-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
The 12-volt battery is located on the
right-hand side of the trunk.
■Before recharging
When recharging, the 12-volt battery pro-
duces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, observe the fol-
lowing precautions before recharging:
●If recharging with the 12-volt battery
installed on the vehicle, be sure to dis-
connect the ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the char-
ger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the 12-volt
battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the 12-
volt battery
●Unlocking the doors using the smart
access system with pu sh-button start may
not be possible immediately after recon-
necting the 12-volt battery. If this hap-
pens, use the wireless remote control or
the mechanical key to lock/unlock the
doors.
●Start the hybrid system with the power
switch in ACCESSORY mode. The
hybrid system may not start with the
power switch turned off. However, the
hybrid system will operate normally from
the second attempt.
●The power switch mode is recorded by
the vehicle. If the 12-volt battery is recon-
nected, the vehicle will return the power
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.
12-volt battery
Location

3276-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
switch mode to the status it was in before
the 12-volt battery was disconnected.
Make sure to turn off the power switch
before disconnect the 12-volt battery.
Take extra care when connecting the 12-
volt battery if the power switch mode
prior to discharge is unknown.
If the hybrid system will not start even after
multiple attempts at all methods above,
contact your Lexus dealer.
Lift the luggage mat up.
WARNING
■Chemicals in the 12-volt battery
The 12-volt battery contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid and may pro-
duce hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. To reduce the risk of
death or serious injury, take the following
precautions while working on or near the
12-volt battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the
12-volt battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the
12-volt battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and
clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the 12-volt battery.
●Keep children away from the 12-volt
battery.
■Where to safely charge the 12-volt
battery
Always charge the 12-volt battery in an
open area. Do not charge the 12-volt
battery in a garage or closed room
where there is insufficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the 12-volt battery
Recharge at a current of 5 A or less and
make sure that the recharging period
does not exceed a total of 12 hours.
■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.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk.
Get emergency medical attention
immediately.
■When replacing the 12-volt battery
Use a 12-volt battery designed for this
vehicle. Failure to do so may cause gas
(hydrogen) to enter the passenger com-
partment, causing a fire or explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery,
contact your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
■When recharging the 12-volt battery
Never recharge the 12-volt battery while
the hybrid system is operating. Also, be
sure all accessories are turned off.
Removing the 12-volt battery
cover

3286-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Make sure that the 12-volt battery ter-
minals are not corroded and that there
are no loose connections, cracks, or
loose clamps.Terminals
Hold-down clamp
Check the 12-volt battery condition by
indicator color. Blue: Good condition
Red: Charging is necessary.Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer.
Clear: Replacement is necessary.
Have the 12-volt battery checked by your
Lexus dealer.
Exterior
Checking 12-volt battery condi-
tion
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3296-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Check if the treadwear indicators are
showing on the tires. Also check the
tires for uneven wear, such as exces-
sive 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.
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
●Tires should be replaced if:
• The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
• You have tire damage such as cuts, splits,
cracks deep enough to expose the fabric,
and bulges indicating internal damage
• A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be
properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult your Lexus
dealer.
●Vehicles with 17-inch tires:
The wheel angle differs from vehicles
equipped with 18-inch tires. Therefore, 18-
inch tires cannot be installed, as sufficient
gaps with surrounding parts cannot be
ensured.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked
by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not
obvious.
■Low profile tires (18-inch tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more
rapidly and tire grip performance will be
reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when
compared to standard tires. Be sure to use
snow tires on snowy and/or icy roads and
drive carefully at a speed appropriate for
road and weather conditions.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the
replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of
either the front axle or the rear axle, which-
ever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the
load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the
tire. ( P.411)
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accor-
dance with maintenance schedules
and treadwear.
Checking tires
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3306-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed perfor-
mance tires best suited to highway driv-
ing under dry conditions. Since summer
tires do not have the same traction per-
formance as snow tires, summer tires are
inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-cov-
ered roads or icy roads, the use of snow
tires is recommended. When installing
snow tires, be sure to replace all four
tires.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter condi-
tions as well as for use year-round. All
season tires, however, do not have ade-
quate traction performance compared
with snow tires in heavy or loose snow.
Also, all season tires fall short in accelera-
tion and handling performance com-
pared with summer tires in highway
driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy
roads, we recommend using snow tires. If
you need snow tires, select tires of the
same size, construction and load capacity
as the originally insta lled tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equip-
ment, make sure your snow tires also
have radial construction. Do not install
studded tires without first checking local
regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels. ( P.254)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down
below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is
lost.
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-belted or bias-ply
tires).
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a com-
pact spare tire installed.
●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.
NOTICE
■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.
■Low profile tires (18-inch 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: