4TABLE OF CONTENTS
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
Air conditioning filter..................273
Electronic key battery ................ 275
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................................... 276
Headlight aim................................. 278
Light bulbs ....................................... 279
7-1. Essential information Emergency flashers..................... 284
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency ............................. 284
If the vehicle is submerged or water on the road is rising .................. 285
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency If your vehicle needs to be towed........................................................... 287
If you think something is wrong ............................................................ 291
Fuel pump shut off system ........ 292
If a warning light turns on or a warn- ing buzzer sounds ..................... 293
If a warning message is displayed ............................................................ 301
If you have a flat tire..................... 305
If the engine wi ll not start ........... 312
If you lose your keys ..................... 314
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened............................................ 314
If the electronic key does not oper- ate properly .................................. 315
If the vehicle battery is discharged ............................................................ 317
If your vehicle overheats ........... 320
If the vehicle becomes stuck ... 3248-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) ................................................. 326
Fuel information............................ 337
Tire information ............................ 339
8-2. Customization Customizable features .............. 349
8-3. Items to initialize Items to initialize ........................... 358
9-1. For owners Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................................... 360
Reporting safety defects for Cana- dian owners ................................. 360
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners (in French) .................... 361
SRS airbag instructions for Cana- dian owners (in French) ......... 362
Headlight aim instructions for Canadian owners (in French)
.......................................................... 368
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) .......................................................... 370
Certifications ................................. 373
Alphabetical Index ...................... 384
7When trouble arises
8Vehicle specifications
9For owners
Index
12Pictorial index
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
Windshield wipers .................................................................................................. P.145
Precautions for winter season .....................................................................................P.203
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)
*................................................... P.217
Precautions against car wash ........................................................................................P.241
Fuel filler door ..........................................................................................................P.153
Refueling method .............................................................................................................. P .153
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity .........................................................................................P.328
Tires.......................................................................................................................... ..P.263
Tire size/inflation pressure ............................ ............................................................... P.332
Winter tires/tire chain ....................................................................................................P.20 3
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system.............................................. P.263
Coping with flat tires........................................................................................................P .305
Hood ......................................................................................................................... P. 253
Opening ........................................................................................................................ ....... P.253
Engine oil ..................................................................................................................... .........P.328
Coping with overheating ...............................................................................................P.320
Warning messages ........................................................................................................... P.30 1
Headlights .................................................................................................................P.14 0
Parking lights/daytime running lights................ ...............................................P.140
Turn signal lights ...................................................................................................... P.134
Cornering lights ......................................................................................................P.140
Side marker lights ...................................................................................................P.140
Tail lights .................................................................................................................... P.140
Stop lights
Back up light
Shifting the shift lever to R .............................................................................................. P.13 0
License plate lights .................................................................................................P.140
*:If equipped
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P.279, Watts: P.336)
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
632-1. Instrument cluster
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
2
Vehicle status information and indicators
Warning lights inform the driver of mal-
functions in the indicated vehicle sys-
tems.
*1: These lights turn on when the engine
switch is turned to IGNITION ON
mode to indicate that a system check is
being performed. They will turn off after
the engine is started, or after a few sec-
onds. There may be a malfunction in a
system if a light does not come on, or
turn off. Have the vehicle inspected by
Warning lights
(U.S.A.)
Brake system warning light*1
( P.293)
(red)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light*1
( P.293)
(yellow)
Brake system warning light*1
( P.293)
High coolant temperature
warning light
*2 ( P.293)
Charging system warning
light
*3 ( P.294)
Low engine oil pressure warn-
ing light
*2 ( P.294)
(U.S.A.)
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
( P.294)
(Canada)
Malfunction indicator lamp*1
( P.294)
SRS warning light
*1 ( P.294)
(U.S.A.)
ABS warning light*1 ( P.295)
(Canada)
ABS warning light*1 ( P.295)
(flashes)
(U.S.A.)
Parking brake warning light
( P.298)
(flashes)
(Canada)
Parking brake warning light
( P.298)
(flashes) Brake hold operated indicator
*1
( P.293)
Brake Override System warn-
ing light/Drive-Start Control
warning light
*2 ( P.295)
Electric power steering system
warning light
*1 ( P.295)
(orange)
LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
indicator ( P.296)
(flashes or
illuminates)PCS warning light*1 ( P.296)
Slip indicator
*1 ( P.296)
Open door warning light
( P.297)
Low fuel level warning light
( P.297)
Driver’s and front passenger’s
seat belt reminder light
( P.297)
Rear passenger’s seat belt
reminder lights
*4 ( P.297)
Master warning light
*1
( P.298)
Tire pressure warning light
*1
( P.298)
702-1. Instrument cluster
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
■Display items
Odometer
Displays the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
Trip meter A/trip meter B
Displays the distance the vehicle has been
driven since the meter was last reset. Trip
meters A and B can be used to record and
display different distances independently.
Distance until next engine oil change
Displays the distance the vehicle can be
driven until an oil change is necessary.
■Changing the display
Each time the “ODO TRIP” switch is
pressed, the displayed item will be
changed. When the trip meter is dis-
played, pressing and holding the switch
will reset the trip meter.
■Pop-up display
In some situations the following will be
temporarily displayed:
Distance until next engine oil
change
Distance until the next engine oil change
will displayed when a warning message
indicating that oil maintenance should be
performed soon or is required is displayed.
The brightness of the instrument panel
lights can be adjusted.
WARNING
■The information display at low tem-
peratures
Allow the interior of the vehicle to warm
up before using the liquid crystal infor-
mation display. At extremely low tem-
peratures, the information display
monitor may respond slowly, and display
changes may be delayed.
For example, there is a lag between the
driver’s shifting and the new gear number
appearing on the display. This lag could
cause the driver to downshift again,
causing rapid and excessive engine brak-
ing and possibly an accident resulting in
death or injury.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and
its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the
tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maxi mum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the
engine coolant temperature gauge is
in the red zone (H). In this case, imme-
diately stop the vehicle in a safe place,
and check the engine after it has
cooled completely. ( P.320)
Odometer and trip meter dis-
play
Changing the instrument panel
light brightness
1214-1. Before driving
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
4
Driving
Cargo capacity depends on the total
weight of the occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capac-
ity) — (Total weight of occupants)
Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit —
(1) Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400 - 750
(5 150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and lug-
NOTICE
●RC300: Make sure to idle the engine
immediately after high-load driving.
Stop the engine only after the
turbocharger has cooled down.
Failure to do so may cause damage to
the turbocharger.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the fol-
lowing situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the
brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehi-
cle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal
sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat
tire (
P.305)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded
after heavy rain etc. Doing so may cause
the following serious damage to the vehi-
cle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water
immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded
road and the vehicle is flooded, be sure
to have your Lexus dealer check the fol-
lowing:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil
and fluid used for the engine, transmis-
sion, transfer (AWD models), differen-
tial, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller
shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible), and the function of
all joints, bearings, etc.
Cargo and luggage
Take notice of the following infor-
mation about storage precautions,
cargo capacity and load:
Capacity and distribution
2466-2. Maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6-2.Maintenance
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts
be used for repairs to ensure performance
of each system. If non-Lexus parts are used
in replacement or if a repair shop other than
a Lexus dealer performs repairs, confirm
the warranty coverage.
■Allow inspection and repairs to be per-
formed by a Lexus dealer
●Lexus technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information. They are well
informed about the operations of all sys-
tems on your vehicle.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves
that the maintenance that has been per-
formed is under warra nty coverage. If any
problem should arise while your vehicle is
under warranty, your Lexus dealer will
promptly take care of it.
General maintenance should be per-
formed on a daily basis. This can be
done by yourself or by a Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance should be
performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance sched-
ule.
For details about ma intenance items and
schedules, refer to the “Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.
■Resetting the message indicating main-
tenance is required
After the required maintenance is pre-
formed according to the maintenance
schedule, please reset the message.
To reset the message, follow the procedures
described below:
1 Select on the multi-information dis-
play. ( P.76)
2 Press the or meter control
switch on the steeri ng wheel to select
“Vehicle Settings” then “Scheduled
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driv-
ing, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance are essential. It is the
owner’s responsibility to perform
regular checks. Lexus recommends
the maintenance below.
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly main-
tained
Improper maintenance could result in
serious damage to the vehicle and possi-
ble death or serious injury.
■Handling of the battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and
other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehi-
cles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of Cali-
fornia to cause cancer and birth
defects or other re productive harm.
Avoid exposure and wash any affected
area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contai n lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause
brain damage. Wash your hands after
handling. ( P.261)
General maintenance
Scheduled maintenance
2476-2. Maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
Maintenance and care
Maintenance”. (To confirm setting,
press .)
3 Select “Yes” and then press .
4 A message will be displayed on the
multi-information display when the
reset procedure has been completed.
You can perform some maintenance
procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself
maintenance may affect warranty cov-
erage.
The use of Lexus repair manuals is recom-
mended.
For details about warra nty coverage, refer
to the separate “Owner’s Guide”, “War-
ranty and Service Guide”, “Owner’s Man-
ual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.
Do-it-yourself maintenance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general main-
tenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in
the “Warranty and Service Guide”
or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
It is recommended that any prob-
lem you notice should be brought to
the attention of your Lexus dealer
or qualified service shop for advice.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there
is adequate ventilation before perform-
ing maintenance checks.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery
Check the indicator (if
equipped) and con-
nections. ( P.261)
Brake fluid
Is the brake fluid at the
correct level?
( P.260)
Engine/inter-
cooler coolant
Is the engine/inter-
cooler coolant at the
correct level?
( P.258)
Engine oil
Is the engine oil at the
correct level?
( P.256)
Exhaust system
There should not be
any fumes or strange
sounds.
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