Lexus RC300 (2023 year). Manual in english - page 8

246

5-5. Using the other interior features

●

The vehicle is on an inclined surface.

●

The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s 

magnetic field is subject to interference 

by artificial magnetic fields (under-

ground car park/parking lot, under a 

steel tower, between buildings, roof car 

park/parking lot, near an intersection, 

near a large vehicle, etc.).

●

The vehicle has become magnetized.

(There is a magnet or metal object near 

the inside rear view mirror.)

●

The battery has been disconnected.

●

A door is open.

■

Deviation

The direction display deviates from the 
true direction determined by the 
earth’s magnetic field. The amount of 
deviation varies according to the geo-
graphic position of the vehicle.

If you cross over a map boundary shown in 

illustration, the compass will deviate.
To obtain higher precision or perfect cali-
bration, refer to the following.

■

Deviation calibration

1

Stop the vehicle.

WARNING

■

While driving the vehicle

Do not adjust the display. Adjust the dis-

play only when the vehicle is stopped.

NOTICE

■

To avoid compass malfunctions

Do not place magnets or any metal 

objects near the inside rear view mirror. 

Doing this may cause the compass sen-

sor to malfunction.

■

To ensure normal operation of the 

compass

●

Do not perform circling calibration of 

the compass in a place where the 

earth’s magnetic field is subject to 

interference by artificial magnetic 

fields.

●

During calibration, do not operate 

electric systems (moon roof, power 

windows, etc.) as they may interfere 

with the calibration.

Calibrating the compass

247

5-5. Using the other interior features

5

In

te

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re

s

2

Press and hold the switch for 6 sec-
onds.

A number (1 to 15) appears on the com-

pass display.

3

Press the switch and, referring to 
the map above, select the number 
of the zone where you are.

If the direction is displayed several seconds 

after adjustment, the calibration is com-

plete.

■

Circling calibration

1

Stop the vehicle in a place where it 
is safe to drive in a circle.

2

Press and hold the switch for 9 sec-
onds.

“C” appears on the compass display.

3

Drive the vehicle at 5 mph (8 
km/h) or less in a circle until a 
direction is displayed.

If there is not enough space to drive in a 

circle, drive around the block until the 

direction is displayed.

WARNING

■

When doing the circling calibration

Secure a wide space, and watch out for 

people and vehicles in the neighbor-

hood. Do not violate any local traffic 

rules while performing circling calibra-

tion.

248

5-5. Using the other interior features

249

6

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Maintenance and care

.

6-1. Maintenance and care

Cleaning and protecting the vehi-

cle exterior................................

250

Cleaning and protecting the vehi-

cle interior .................................

253

6-2. Maintenance

Maintenance requirements ..

256

General maintenance.............

257

Emission inspection and mainte-

nance (I/M) programs .........

260

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Do-it-yourself service precautions

.........................................................

261

Hood...............................................

263

Positioning a floor jack............

263

Engine compartment...............

265

Tires ................................................

274

Tire inflation pressure..............

282

Wheels...........................................

284

Air conditioning filter...............

285

Electronic key battery.............

287

Checking and replacing fuses

........................................................

289

Headlight aim...............................

291

Light bulbs....................................

292

250

6-1. Maintenance and care

6-1.Maintenance and care



Working from top to bottom, liber-
ally apply water to the vehicle body, 
wheel wells and underside of the 
vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.



Wash the vehicle body using a 
sponge or soft cloth, such as a 
chamois.



For hard-to-remove marks, use car 
wash soap and rinse thoroughly with 
water.



Wipe away any water.



Wax the vehicle when the water-
proof coating deteriorates.

If water does not bead on a clean surface, 
apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.

■

Black stainless steel window moldings (F 

SPORT models)

The stainless steel window moldings are 

made of black oxide coated stainless steel.
When cleaning the vehicle, do not scrub the 

moldings with an abrasive cleaner as their 

finish may be damaged or the color may 

change.

■

Self-restoring coat

The vehicle body has a self-restoring coat-

ing that is resistant to small surface 

scratches caused in a car wash etc.

●

The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years from 

when the vehicle is delivered from the 

plant.

●

The restoration time differs depending on 

the depth of the scratch and outside tem-

perature.

The restoration time may become shorter 

when the coating is warmed by applying 

warm water.

●

Deep scratches caused by keys, coins, 

etc. cannot be restored.

●

Do not use wax that contains abrasives.

■

Automatic car washes

●

Fold the mirrors before washing the vehi-

cle. Start washing from the front of the 

vehicle. Make sure to extend the mirrors 

before driving.

●

Brushes used in automatic car washes 

may scratch the vehicle surface, parts 

(wheel, etc.) and damage the paint.

■

High pressure car washes

As water may enter the cabin, do not bring 

the nozzle tip near the gaps around the 

doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray 

these areas continuously.

■

When using a car wash

If the door handle becomes wet while the 

electronic key is within the effective range, 

the door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In 

that case, follow the following correction 

procedures to wash the vehicle:

●

Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or 

more separate from the vehicle while the 

vehicle is being washed. (Take care to 

ensure that the key is not stolen.)

●

Set the electronic key to battery-saving 

mode to disable the smart access system 

with push-button start. (



P.93)

■

Wheels and wheel ornaments

●

Remove any dirt immediately by using a 

neutral detergent.

●

Wash detergent off with water immedi-

Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle exterior

Perform cleaning in a manner 
appropriate to each component 
and its material.

Cleaning instructions

251

6-1. Maintenance and care

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ately after use.

●

To protect the paint from damage, make 

sure to observe the following precau-

tions.

• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive 

detergent

• Do not use hard brushes

• Do not use detergent on the wheels when 

they are hot, such as after driving or park-

ing in hot weather

■

Brake caliper coating (F SPORT mod-

els)

●

When using detergent, use neutral deter-

gent. Do not use hard brushes or abra-

sive cleaners, as they will damage the 

paint.

●

Do not use detergent on the brake cali-

pers when they are hot.

●

Wash detergent off immediately after 

use.

■

Brake pads and calipers

Rust may form if the vehicle is parked with 

wet brake pads or disc rotors, causing them 

to stick. Before parking the vehicle after it is 

washed, drive slowly and apply the brakes 

several times to dry the parts.

■

Bumpers

Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.

■

Side windows water-repellent coating 

(if equipped)

The following precautions can extend the 

effectiveness of the water-repellent coating.

●

Remove any dirt, etc. from the side win-

dows regularly.

●

Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate 

on the windows for a long period.

Clean the windows with a soft, damp 

cloth as soon as possible.

●

Do not use wax or glass cleaners that 

contain abrasives when cleaning the win-

dows.

●

Do not use any metallic objects to 

remove condensation build up.

■

Plated portions

If dirt cannot be removed, clean the parts as 

follows:

●

Use a soft cloth dampened with an 

approximately 5% solution of neutral 

detergent and water to clean the dirt off.

●

Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to 

remove any remaining moisture.

●

To remove oily deposits, use alcohol wet 

wipes or a similar product.

WARNING

■

When washing the vehicle

Do not apply water to the inside of the 

engine compartment. Doing so may 

cause the electrical components, etc. to 

catch fire.

■

When cleaning the windshield (vehi-

cles with rain-sensing windshield wip-

ers)

Set the wipers to the intermittent wind-

shield wipers. (



P.146)

If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers 

may operate unexpectedly in the follow-

ing situations, and may result in hands 

being caught or other serious injuries 

and cause damage to the wiper blades.

●

When the upper part of the windshield 

where the raindrop sensor is located is 

touched by hand

●

When a wet rag or similar is held close 

to the raindrop sensor

●

If something bumps against the wind-

shield

●

If you directly touch the raindrop sen-

sor body or if something bumps into 

the raindrop sensor

252

6-1. Maintenance and care

WARNING

■

Precautions regarding the exhaust 

pipes

As exhaust gases cause the exhaust 

pipes to become quite hot, do not touch 

the exhaust pipes while the engine is run-

ning or immediately after the engine is 

turned off.

When washing the vehicle, be careful not 

to touch the exhaust pipes until they have 

cooled sufficiently, as touching hot 

exhaust pipes can cause burns.

■

Precaution regarding the rear 

bumper with Blind Spot Monitor (if 

equipped)

If the paint of the rear bumper is chipped 

or scratched, the system may malfunc-

tion. If this occurs, consult your Lexus 

dealer.

NOTICE

■

To prevent paint deterioration and 

corrosion on the body and compo-

nents (aluminum wheels, etc.)

●

Wash the vehicle immediately in the 

following cases:

• After driving near the sea coast

• After driving on salted roads

• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the 

paint surface

• If dead insects, insect droppings or 

bird droppings are present on the 

paint surface

• After driving in an area contaminated 

with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron 

powder or chemical substances

• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled 

with dust or mud

• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline 

are spilled on the paint surface

●

If the paint is chipped or scratched, 

have it repaired immediately.

●

To prevent the wheels from corroding, 

remove any dirt and store in a place 

with low humidity when storing the 

wheels.

■

Cleaning the exterior lights

●

Wash carefully. Do not use organic 

substances or scrub with a hard brush. 

This may damage the surfaces of the 

lights.

●

Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the 

lights.Wax may cause damage to the 

lenses.

■

To prevent damage to the windshield 

wiper arms

When lifting the wiper arms away from 

the windshield, pull the driver side wiper 

arm upward first, and repeat for the pas-

senger side. When returning the wipers 

to their original position, do so from the 

passenger side first.

■

When using an automatic car wash 

(vehicles with rain-sensing windshield 

wipers)

Set the wipers to the intermittent wind-

shield wipers. (



P.146)

If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers 

may operate and the wiper blades may 

be damaged.

■

When using a high pressure car wash

●

When washing the vehicle, do not 

spray the camera or its surrounding 

area directly with a high pressure 

washer. Shock applied from high pres-

sure water may cause the device to not 

operate normally.

●

Do not spray water directly on the 

radar which is equipped behind the 

emblem. Otherwise it may cause the 

device to be damaged.

253

6-1. Maintenance and care

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

Remove dirt and dust using a vac-
uum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces 
with a cloth dampened with luke-
warm water.



If dirt cannot be removed, wipe it off 
with a soft cloth dampened with 
neutral detergent diluted to approx-
imately 1%.

Wring out any excess water from the cloth 
and thoroughly wipe off remaining traces 
of detergent and water.

■

Shampooing the carpets

There are several commercial foaming-type 

cleaners available. Use a sponge or brush 

to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping cir-

cles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty surfaces 

and let them dry. Excellent results are 

obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as 

possible.

■

Handling the seat belts

Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water 

using a cloth or sponge. Also check the 

belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying 

or cuts.

■

When cleaning the carpeted portions of 

the glove box, console box, etc.

If a strong adhesive tape is used, there is a 

possibility that the surface of the carpet 

could be damaged.

NOTICE

●

Do not bring the nozzle tip close to 

boots (rubber or resin manufactured 

cover), connectors or the following 

parts. The parts may be damaged if 

they come into contact with high-pres-

sure water.

• Traction related parts

• Suspension parts

• Steering parts

• Brake parts

●

Keep the cleaning nozzle at least 11.9 

in. (30 cm) away from the vehicle 

body. Otherwise resin section, such as 

moldings and bumpers, may be 

deformed and damaged.

Also, do not continuously hold the nozzle 

in the same place.

●

Do not spray the lower part of the 

windshield continuously.

If water enters the air conditioning sys-

tem intake located near the lower part of 

the windshield, the air conditioning sys-

tem may not operate correctly.

●

Do not wash the underside of the vehi-

cle using a high pressure car washer.

Cleaning and protecting the 
vehicle interior

Perform cleaning in a manner 
appropriate to each component 
and its material.

Protecting the vehicle interior

254

6-1. Maintenance and care

WARNING

■

Water in the vehicle

●

Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehi-

cle.

Doing so may cause electrical compo-

nents, etc. to malfunction or catch fire.

●

Do not get any of the SRS components 

or wiring in the vehicle interior wet. 

(



P.28)

An electrical malfunction may cause the 

airbags to deploy or not function prop-

erly, resulting in death or serious injury.

■

Cleaning the interior (especially 

instrument panel)

Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. 

The instrument panel may reflect off the 

windshield, obstructing the driver’s view 

and leading to an accident, resulting in 

death or serious injury.

NOTICE

■

Cleaning detergents

●

Do not use the following liquids, as 

they may discolor the vehicle interior 

or cause streaks or damage to painted 

surfaces:

• Center Display: Organic substances 

such as benzine or gasoline, alkaline 

solutions, and alcohol

• Seats: Alkaline solutions, organic sub-

stances such as thinner or benzine, 

and alcohol

• Other parts: Organic substances such 

as benzine or gasoline, alkaline or 

acidic solutions, dye, and bleach

●

Do not use polish wax or polish 

cleaner. The instrument panel’s or 

other interior part’s painted surface 

may be damaged.

■

Preventing damage to leather sur-

faces

Observe the following precautions to 

avoid damage to and deterioration of 

leather surfaces:

●

Remove any dust or dirt from leather 

surfaces immediately.

●

Do not expose the vehicle to direct 

sunlight for extended periods of time. 

Park the vehicle in the shade, espe-

cially during summer.

●

Do not place items made of vinyl, plas-

tic, or containing wax on the uphol-

stery, as they may stick to the leather 

surface if the vehicle interior heats up 

significantly.

■

Water on the floor

Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.

Vehicle systems such as the audio system 

may be damaged if water comes into 

contact with electrical components such 

as the audio system above or under the 

floor of the vehicle. Water may also 

cause the body to rust.

■

When cleaning the inside of the wind-

shield

Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the 

lens. Also, do not touch the lens. 

(



P.157)

■

Cleaning the inside of the rear win-

dow

●

Do not use glass cleaner to clean the 

rear window, as this may cause dam-

age to the rear window defogger 

heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth 

dampened with lukewarm water to 

gently wipe the window clean. Wipe 

the window in strokes running parallel 

to the heater wires or antenna.

●

Be careful not to scratch or damage 

the heater wires or antenna.

255

6-1. Maintenance and care

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

Remove dirt and dust using a vac-
uum cleaner.



Wipe off any excess dirt and dust 
with a soft cloth dampened with 
diluted detergent.

Use a diluted water solution of approxi-
mately 5% neutral wool detergent.



Wring out any excess water from 
the cloth and thoroughly wipe off all 
remaining traces of detergent.



Wipe the surface with a dry, soft 
cloth to remove any remaining 
moisture.
Allow the leather to dry in a shaded 
and ventilated area.

■

Caring for leather areas

Lexus recommends cleaning the interior of 

the vehicle at least twice a year to maintain 

the quality of the vehicle’s interior.



Remove dirt and dust using a vac-
uum cleaner.



Wipe it off with a soft cloth damp-
ened with neutral detergent diluted 
to approximately 1%.



Wring out any excess water from 
the cloth and thoroughly wipe off 
remaining traces of detergent and 
water.

Cleaning the leather areas

Cleaning the synthetic leather 
areas

256

6-2. Maintenance

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 warranty 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 maintenance 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 steering 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 reproductive harm. 

Avoid exposure and wash any affected 

area immediately.

●

Battery posts, terminals and related 

accessories contain lead and lead 

compounds which are known to cause 

brain damage. Wash your hands after 

handling. (



P.271)

General maintenance

Scheduled maintenance

257

6-2. Maintenance

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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 warranty 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

Items

Check points

Battery

Check the indicator (if 
equipped) and con-
nections. (



P.271)

Brake fluid

Is the brake fluid at the 
correct level? 
(



P.270)

Engine/inter-
cooler coolant

Is the engine/inter-
cooler coolant at the 
correct level? 
(



P.268)

Engine oil

Is the engine oil at the 
correct level? 
(



P.266)

Exhaust system

There should not be 
any fumes or strange 
sounds.

258

6-2. Maintenance

Radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator

The radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator should 
be free from foreign 
objects. (



P.270)

Washer fluid

Is there sufficient 
washer fluid? 
(



P.273)

Vehicle interior

Items

Check 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?

Items

Check 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 operate nor-
mally?

• 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.

Items

Check points

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Seats

• Do the seat controls 

operate properly?

Steering wheel

• Does the steering 

wheel rotate 
smoothly?

• Does the steering 

wheel have the cor-
rect amount of free 
play?

• There  should  not  be 

any strange sounds 
coming from the 
steering wheel.

Vehicle exterior

Items

Check points

Doors/trunk

• Do the doors/trunk 

operate smoothly?

Engine hood

• Does  the  engine 

hood lock system 
work properly?

Fluid leaks

• There  should  not  be 

any signs of fluid 
leakage after the 
vehicle has been 
parked.

Items

Check points

Tires

• Is the tire inflation 

pressure correct?

• The tires should not 

be damaged or 
excessively worn.

• Have the tires been 

rotated according to 
the maintenance 
schedule?

• The  wheel  bolts 

should not be loose.

Windshield wip-
ers

• The wiper blades 

should not show any 
signs of cracking, 
splitting, wear, con-
tamination or defor-
mation.

• The wiper blades 

should clear the 
windshield without 
streaking or skip-
ping.

Items

Check points

260

6-2. Maintenance

The OBD system determines that a 
problem exists somewhere in the emis-
sion control system. Your vehicle may 
not pass the I/M test and may need to 
be repaired. Contact your Lexus 
dealer to service the vehicle.



When the battery is disconnected 
or discharged

Readiness codes that are set during ordi-
nary driving are erased.Also, depending 
on your driving habits, the readiness codes 
may not be completely set.



When the fuel tank cap is loose

The malfunction indicator lamp comes on 
indicating a temporary malfunction and 
your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.

The error code in the OBD system will 
not be cleared unless the vehicle is 
driven 40 or more times.

Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare 
the vehicle for re-testing.

Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) pro-
grams

Some states have vehicle emission 
inspection programs which include 
OBD (On Board Diagnostics) 
checks. The OBD system monitors 
the operation of the emission con-
trol system.

If the malfunction indicator lamp 
comes on

Your vehicle may not pass the 
I/M test in the following situa-
tions:

When the malfunction indicator 
lamp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips

If your vehicle does not pass the 
I/M test

261

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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

Items

Parts and tools

Battery condition 
(



P.271)

• Warm  water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional 

wrench (for terminal 
clamp bolts)

Brake fluid level 
(



P.270)

• 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.268)

• “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.:“Toy-

ota 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.266)

• “Toyota  Genuine 

Motor Oil” or equiv-
alent

• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel  (used  only  for 

adding engine oil)

Fuses (



P.289)

• Fuse  with  same 

amperage rating as 
original

Items

Parts and tools

262

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Light bulbs 
(



P.292)

• 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.270)



Tire inflation pres-
sure (



P.282)

• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air 

source

Washer fluid 
(



P.273)

• 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, clothing 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.

Items

Parts 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.270)

■

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.

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1

Pull the hood lock release lever.

The hood will pop up slightly.

2

Pull up the auxiliary catch lever and 
lift the hood.

■

If a symbol indicating the hood opens is 

shown on the multi-information display



P.88

■

Front



2WD models

Hood

Opening the hood

WARNING

■

Pre-driving check

Check that the hood is fully closed and 

locked.

If the hood is not locked properly, it may 

open while the vehicle is in motion and 

cause an accident, which may result in 

death or serious injury.

Positioning a floor jack

When using a floor jack, follow the 
instructions in the manual provided 
with the jack and perform the oper-
ation safely.

When raising your vehicle with a 
floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement may 
damage your vehicle or cause 
injury.

Location of the jack point

264

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance



AWD models

■

Rear

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

RC350/RC300 AWD

Fuse boxes (



P.289)

Battery (



P.271)

Engine oil level dipstick (



P.266)

Engine coolant reservoir (



P.268)

Engine oil filler cap (



P.266)

Brake fluid reservoir (



P.270)

Washer fluid tank (



P.273)

Electric cooling fans
Condenser (



P.270)

Radiator (



P.270)

Engine compartment

Components

A
B
C
D

E
F

G

H

I

J

266

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance



RC300

Fuse boxes (



P.289)

Battery (



P.271)

Engine oil level dipstick (



P.266)

Engine oil filler cap (



P.266)

Engine coolant reservoir (



P.268)

Brake fluid reservoir (



P.270)

Washer fluid tank (



P.273)

Electric cooling fans
Condenser (



P.270)

Intercooler radiator (



P.270)

Radiator (



P.270)

Intercooler coolant reservoir (



P.268)

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

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2

Holding 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.

6

Wipe 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.343



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

268

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance



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 consumption 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 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 maintenance 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 refill the vehicle.

●

Be sure the engine oil filler cap is prop-

erly tightened.

Checking the coolant

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on the reservoir when the engine is 
cold.

■

Engine coolant reservoir



RC350/RC300 AWD



RC300

Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line

If the level is on or below the “LOW” line, 
add coolant up to the “FULL” line. 
(



P.333)

■

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.333)

■

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 

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

270

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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.336)

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 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 damaging 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

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■

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.

Check the battery as follows.

■

Battery exterior

Make sure that the battery terminals 
are not corroded and that there are no 
loose connections, cracks, or loose 
clamps.

Terminals
Hold-down clamp

■

Checking battery fluid

Check that the level is between the 
“UPPER LEVEL” and “LOWER 
LEVEL” lines.

“UPPER LEVEL” line
“LOWER LEVEL” line

If the fluid level is at or below the “LOWER 
LEVEL” line, add distilled water.

■

Adding distilled water

1

Remove the vent plug.

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 level in the accumulator 

is high.

If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, 

there may be a serious problem.

Battery

A
B

A
B

272

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

2

Add distilled water.

Low
O.K.

If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot be seen, 

check the fluid level by looking directly at 

the cell.

3

Put the vent plug back on and close 
it securely.

■

Before recharging

When recharging, the battery produces 

hydrogen gas which is flammable and 

explosive. Therefore, observe the following 

before recharging:

●

If recharging with the battery installed on 

the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the 

ground cable.

●

Make sure the power switch on the char-

ger is off when connecting and discon-

necting the charger cables to the battery.

■

After recharging/reconnecting the bat-

tery

The engine may not start. Follow the proce-

dure below to initialize the system.

1

Shift the shift lever to P.

2

Open and close either door.

3

Restart the engine.

●

Unlocking the doors using the smart 

access system with push-button start may 

not be possible immediately after recon-

necting the battery. If this happens, use 

the wireless remote control or the 

mechanical key to lock/unlock the doors.

●

Start the engine with the engine switch in 

ACCESSORY mode. The engine may 

not start with the engine switch turned off. 

However, the engine will operate nor-

mally from the second attempt.

●

The engine switch mode is recorded by 

the vehicle. If the battery is disconnected 

and reconnected, the vehicle will return 

the engine switch mode to the status it 

was in before the battery was discon-

nected. Make sure to turn off the engine 

before disconnecting the battery. Take 

extra care when connecting the battery if 

the engine switch mode prior to the bat-

tery being disconnected is unknown.

If the system will not start even after multi-

ple attempts, contact your Lexus dealer.

A
B

WARNING

■

Chemicals in the battery

Batteries contain poisonous and corro-

sive sulfuric acid and may produce 

hydrogen gas which is flammable and 

explosive. To reduce the risk of death or 

serious injury, take the following precau-

tions while working on or near the bat-

tery:

●

Do not cause sparks by touching the 

battery terminals with tools.

●

Do not smoke or light a match near the 

battery.

●

Avoid contact with eyes, skin and 

clothes.

●

Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.

●

Wear protective safety glasses when 

working near the battery.

●

Keep children away from the battery.

■

Where to safely charge the battery

Always charge the battery in an open 

area. Do not charge the battery in a 

garage or closed room where there is 

insufficient ventilation.

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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If any washer does not work or the 
warning message appears on the 

multi-information display, the washer 
tank may be empty. Add washer fluid.



RC350/RC300 AWD



RC300

WARNING

■

How to recharge the battery

Only perform a slow charge (5 A or 

less). The battery may explode if charged 

at a quicker rate.

■

Emergency measures regarding 

electrolyte

●

If electrolyte gets in your eyes

Flush your eyes with clean water for at 

least 15 minutes and get immediate med-

ical 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 atten-

tion 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 neces-

sary.

●

If you accidentally swallow electrolyte

Drink a large quantity of water or milk. 

Get emergency medical attention imme-

diately.

NOTICE

■

When recharging the battery

Never recharge the battery while the 

engine is running. Also, be sure all acces-

sories are turned off.

■

When adding distilled water

Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during 

battery recharging may cause corrosion.

Adding the washer fluid

WARNING

■

When adding washer fluid

Do not add washer fluid when the engine 

is hot or running 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.

274

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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.

NOTICE

■

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.

Tires

Replace or rotate tires in accor-
dance with maintenance schedules 
and treadwear.

Checking tires

A
B
C

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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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.

■

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

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 or tire chains on snowy and/or icy 

roads and drive carefully at a speed appro-

priate 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.353)

■

Tire types

●

Summer tires

Summer tires are high-speed performance 
tires best suited to highway driving under 
dry conditions. Since summer tires do not 
have the same traction performance as 
snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for 
driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For 
driving on snow-covered roads or icy 
roads, the use of snow tires is recom-
mended. 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 adequate 
for driving in most winter conditions as well 
as for use year-round. All season tires, 
however, do not have adequate traction 
performance compared with snow tires in 
heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires 
fall short in acceleration and handling per-
formance compared 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 installed 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 regula-
tions for possible restrictions. Snow tires 
should be installed on all wheels. (



P.213)

■

If the tread on snow tires wears down 

below 0.16 in. (4 mm)

The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is 

lost.

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance



Vehicles with front and rear tires of 
the same size

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 interval as tire inspec-
tion.
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure 
warning system after tire rotation.



Vehicles with front and rear tires of 
differing sizes

Tires cannot be rotated.

■

When rotating the tires

Make sure that the engine switch is off. If the 

tires are rotated while the engine switch is in 

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 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

■

Low profile 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:

●

Be sure to use proper tire inflation 

pressure. If tires are under-inflated, 

they may be damaged more severely.

●

Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, 

curbs and other road hazards. Failure 

to do so may lead to severe tire and 

wheel damage.

■

If tire inflation pressure of each tire 

becomes low while driving

Do not continue driving, or your tires 

and/or wheels may be ruined.

■

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.

Tire rotation

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IGNITION ON mode, the tire position 

information will not be updated.

If this accidentally occurs, either turn the 

engine switch to off and then to IGNITION 

ON mode, or initialize the system after 

checking that the tire pressure is properly 

adjusted.

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.



The tire pressure detected by the 
tire pressure warning system can be 
displayed on the multi-information 
display. (



P.71)

The illustration used is intended as an 
example, and may differ from the image 
that is actually displayed on the multi-infor-
mation display.



If the tire pressure drops below a 
predetermined level, the driver is 
warned by a screen display and a 
warning light. (



P.310)

■

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.

■

Tire inflation pressure

●

It may take a few minutes to display the 

tire inflation pressure after the engine 

switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode. 

It may also take a few minutes to display 

the tire inflation pressure after inflation 

pressure has been adjusted.

●

Tire inflation pressure changes with tem-

perature. The displayed values may also 

be different from the values measured 

using a tire pressure gauge.

■

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 tires not equipped with tire pressure 

Tire pressure warning system