Page 250 of 400

2486-2. Maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
Radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator
The radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator should
be free from foreign
objects. (P.260)
Washer fluid
Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
(P.262)
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 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 261 of 400

2596-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
6
Maintenance and care
on the reservoir when the engine is
cold.
■Engine coolant reservoir
RC350/RC300 AWD
RC300Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW” line,
add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
( P.320)
■Intercooler coolant reservoir
(RC300)
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “F” and “L” lines on the
reservoir when the engine is cold. Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If the level is on or
below the “L” line, add
coolant up to the “F” line. ( P.320)
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or a similar high qua lity 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
and intercooler coolant reservoir 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.
A
B
C
A
B
C
Page 262 of 400

2606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
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.323)
The cooling system may be under pres-
sure and may spray ho t 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 322 of 400

3207-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
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.
RC350/RC300 AWD
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.66) 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 323 of 400
3217-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RC300 Owner's Manual
7
When trouble arises
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