2021 LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual

3536-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
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 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.
If none of the washer do not work or
the “Windshield Washer Fluid Low” on
the multi-information display, the
washer tank may be empty. Add
washer fluid.
WARNING
■When the electric cooling fans are
operating
Do not touch the engine compartment.
With the power switch in ON mode, the
electric cooling fans may automatically
start to run if the air conditioning is on
and/or the coolant temperature is high.
Be sure the power switch is off when
working near the electric cooling fans or
radiator grille.
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.
Checking and adding the washer
fluid

3546-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
The 12-volt battery is located in the left-
hand side of luggage compartment.
■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 discon-
nect 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
●The hybrid system may not start. Follow
the procedure below to initialize the sys-
tem.
1 Shift the shift lever to P.
2 Open and close any of the doors.
3 Restart the hybrid system.
●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
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.
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

3556-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
6
Maintenance and care
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
switch mode to the status it was in before
the 12-volt battery was disconnected.
Make sure to turn off the power before
disconnect the 12- volt battery. Take extra
care when connecting the 12-volt battery
if the power switch mode prior to dis-
charge 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 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 pre-
cautions 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 bat-
tery 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.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk.
Get emergency medical attention
immediately.
■When handling the 12-volt battery
 P.417
■When disconnecting the 12-volt bat-
tery
Do not disconnect the negative (-) termi-
nal on the body side as shown. The dis-
connected negative (-) terminal may
touch the positive (+) terminal, which
may cause a short and result in death or
serious injury.

3566-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
1Lift the deck board and attach the
hook. ( P.309)
2 Remove the left side deck board.
3 Remove the cover after removing
the chip.
Press
Pull out
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
Insert the left side auxiliary box.
1 Push up center position
2 Insert
3 Press
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
maintenance cover
Exterior
A
B
Installing the 12-volt battery
maintenance cover
A
B

3576-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
6
Maintenance and care
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.
■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 repe atedly or cannot be
properly repaired due to the size or loca-
tion of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer.
■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.
■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.434)
■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-covered
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accor-
dance with maintenance schedules
and treadwear.
Checking tires
A
B
C

3586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
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.279)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down
below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is
lost.
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.
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to
prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to
parts of the drive train 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 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
■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.
■If tire inflation pressure of each tire
becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires
and/or wheels may be ruined.
Tire rotation

3596-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_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.394)
 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

3606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300h Owners Manual_USA_M78578_en
■Certification for tire pressure warning system
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.