Page 253 of 400

2516-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
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 condition
(P.261)
•Warm water
•Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P.260)
• SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 brake fluid
• SAE J1704 or FMVSS No.116 DOT
4 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/inter-
cooler coolant
level( P.258)
• “Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” or a
similar high quality
ethylene gly-
col-based non-sili-
cate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and
non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid
organic acid tech-
nology
•For the U.S.A.:“Toyota
Super Long Life
Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50%
deionized water.
•For Canada:“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is
pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45%
deionized water.
•Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P.256)
•“Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or equiv-
alent
• Rag or paper towel
•Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P.276)
•Fuse with same
amperage rating as
original
ItemsParts and tools
Page 254 of 400

2526-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
Light bulbs
(P.279)
•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.260)
Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P.271)• Tire pressure gauge
•Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
(P.262)
• 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.260)
■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 257 of 400
2556-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
Maintenance and care
RC350/RC300 AWDFuse boxes ( P.276)
Battery ( P.261)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.256)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.258)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.256)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.260)
Washer fluid tank ( P.262)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P.260)
Radiator ( P.260)
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Page 258 of 400
2566-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
RC300Fuse boxes ( P.276)
Battery ( P.261)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.256)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.256)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.258)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.260)
Washer fluid tank ( P.262)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P.260)
Intercooler radiator ( P.260)
Radiator ( P.260)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.258)
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 259 of 400
2576-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
Maintenance and care
2Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
RC350/RC300 AWD
RC300
3 Wipe the dipstick clean.
4 Reinsert the dipstick fully.
5 Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out and check the oil
level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may differ
depending on the type of vehicle or
engine.
6Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it
fully.
■Checking the oil type and prepar-
ing the item needed
Make sure to check the oil type and
prepare the items needed before add-
ing oil.
Engine oil selection
P.329
Oil quantity (Low Full)
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Item
Clean funnel
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the low
level mark, add engine oil of the same
type as that already in the engine.
RC350/RC300 AWD
A
B
C
Page 260 of 400

2586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
RC300
1 Remove the oil filler cap by turning
it counterclockwise.
2 Add engine oil slowly, checking the
dipstick.
3 Install the oil filler cap by turning it
clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be con-
sumed while driving. In the following situa-
tions, oil consumptio n may increase, and
engine oil may need to be refilled in
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 oi l 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 Select on the multi-information dis-
play. ( P.76)
2 Press the or meter control
switch on the steering wheel to select
“Vehicle Settings” then “Oil Mainte-
nance”. (To confirm setting, press .) 3
Select “Yes” and then press .
4 A message is displayed on the
multi-information display.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines
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, ser-
vice 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
Page 283 of 400

2816-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
Maintenance and care
4Pull the light unit toward the rear of
the vehicle to remove it.
5 Turn the bulb base
counterclockwise.
6 Remove the light bulb.
7 Install a new light bulb then install
the bulb base to the light unit by
inserting it and turning the bulb
base clockwise.
After installing the light bulb, turn on the
rear turn signal light to visually check that there is no light leaking from the bulb base.
8
Align the tabs and push the light
unit toward the front of the vehicle
to install it.
9 Install the 2 screws and cover.
10 Remove the protective tape.
WARNING
■Replacing light bulbs
●Turn off the lights. Do not attempt to
replace the bulb immediately after
turning off the lights. The bulbs
become very hot and may cause
burns.
●Do not touch the glass portion of the
light bulb with bare hands. When it is
unavoidable to hold the glass portion,
use and hold with a clean dry cloth to
avoid getting moisture and oils on the
bulb. Also, if the bu lb is scratched or
dropped, it may blow out or crack.
Page 296 of 400

2947-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
■Charging system warning light*
*: Except F SPORT models: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
F SPORT models: This light illuminates on the meter.
■Low engine oil pressure warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on th e multi-information display.
■Malfunction indicator lamp
■SRS warning light
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(Canada)
Indicates a malfunction in:
The electronic engine control system;
The electronic throttle control system; or
The electronic automatic transmission control system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates a malfunction in:
The SRS airbag system;
The front passenger occupant classification system; or
The seat belt pretensioner system
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.