Lexus CT (2021 year). Manual in english - page 29

596

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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.

■

After installing the support rod into the slot

Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your head or

body.

NOTICE

■

When closing the hood

Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing the hood

without returning the support rod properly could cause the hood to bend.

597

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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Positioning a floor jack

◆

Front

◆

Rear

When using a floor jack, follow the instructions in the manual provided with
the jack and perform the operation safely. 
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack correctly.
Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.

598

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Engine compartment

■

12-volt battery



P. 606

Engine coolant reservoir (



P. 603)

Engine oil level dipstick (



P. 599)

Engine oil filler cap 

(



P. 599)

Power control unit coolant 
reservoir

 (



P. 603)

Fuse box 

(



P. 640)

Radiator (



P. 604)

Condenser

 (



P. 604)

Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank

 (



P. 605)

1

2
3
4

5
6
7
8
9

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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■

Removing the engine compartment cover

■

Installing the clips

Push up center portion
Insert
Press

With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil level on
the dipstick.

■

Checking the engine oil

Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine and turning
off the hybrid system, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the bottom of the engine.

Engine compartment cover

1

2
3

NOTICE

■

After installing an engine compartment cover

Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.

Engine oil

1

600

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.

Wipe the dipstick clean.
Flat dipstick: Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Non-flat dipstick: Reinsert the
dipstick fully with its protruding
areas (  in the illustration) point-
ing towards engine.

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.

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.

2

3
4

1

5

1

2
3



Flat dipstick



Non-flat dipstick

Measuring side

6

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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■

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.

Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before adding
oil.

Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.

■

Engine oil consumption

A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following situations,

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 accel-

erating or decelerating frequently

●

When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through

heavy traffic

Engine oil selection



P. 733

Oil quantity (Low 



 Full)

1.5 L (1.6 qt., 1.3 lmp. qt.)

Items

Clean funnel

1

2
3

602

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■

Used engine oil

●

Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin dis-

orders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid pro-

longed and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash

thoroughly 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 household trash, in sewers or onto the ground. Call any autho-

rized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer, service sta-

tion 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 properly tightened.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir when the hybrid system is cold.

■

Engine coolant reservoir

Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line

If the level is on or below the “LOW”

line, add coolant up to the “FULL”

line. (



P. 722)

■

Power control unit coolant reservoir

Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line

If the level is on or below the “LOW”

line, add coolant up to the “FULL”

line. (



P. 722)

■

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.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.

(Minimum temperature: -35



C [-31



F])

For more details about coolant, contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus autho-

rized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■

If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing

Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps,

drain cock and water pump. 

If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer,

or any reliable repairer, test the cap and check for leaks in the cooling system.

Coolant

1

2
3

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2
3

604

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects. 
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, have your vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

WARNING

■

When the hybrid system is hot

Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps.

The cooling system may be under pressure 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 cool-

ing. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.

■

If you spill coolant

Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.

Radiator and condenser

WARNING

■

When the hybrid system is hot

Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious injuries,

such as burns.

■

When the electric cooling fans are operating

Do not touch the engine compartment.

The electric cooling fans may keep rotating for about 3 minutes even after the power

switch is off.

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.

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7-3. 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.

Washer fluid

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 antifreeze 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 necessary. 

Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bottle.

606

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

12-volt battery

The 12-volt battery is located in the
right-hand side of luggage compart-
ment.

Open the center and right side deck boards. (



P. 572)

Remove the center auxiliary box. (



P. 705)

Remove the right side auxiliary box.

Remove the 12-volt battery mainte-
nance cover.

Location

Removing the 12-volt battery maintenance cover

1

2

3

4

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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Make sure that the 12-volt battery terminals are not corroded and that there are
no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.

Terminals
Hold-down clamp

Insert the 2 tabs on the far side of the
cover into the holes.

Hook on the 2 tabs on the near side
of the cover.

Hook on the 2 tabs on the upper
side of the cover.

Exterior

1

2

Installing the 12-volt battery maintenance cover

1

2

3

608

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

Before recharging

When recharging, the 12-volt battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and

explosive. Therefore, observe the following precautions before recharging:

●

If recharging with the 12-volt battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the

ground cable.

●

Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and disconnecting

the charger cables to the 12-volt battery.

■

After recharging/reconnecting the 12-volt battery

●

Unlocking the doors using the smart entry & start system may not be possible immedi-

ately after reconnecting the 12-volt battery. If this happens, 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 hybrid sys-

tem 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 reconnected,

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 discharge is unknown.

●

Restart the hybrid system, depress the brake pedal, and confirm that it is possible to

shift into each shift position.

If the system will not start even after multiple attempts at all methods above, contact any

authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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WARNING

■

Chemicals in the 12-volt battery

The 12-volt battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce

hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death or serious

injury, take the following precautions 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 battery in

a garage or closed room where there is insufficient ventilation.

■

How to recharge the 12-volt battery

Only perform a slow charge

*

. The 12-volt battery may explode if charged at a quicker

rate.

*

: 4.2 A or less on vehicles with a S46B24R battery

3.5 A or less on vehicles with a S34B20R battery

■

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 fol-

low the procedure above if necessary.

●

If you accidentally swallow electrolyte

Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention immedi-

ately.

■

When replacing the 12-volt battery

Use a 12-volt battery designed for this vehicle. Failure to do so may cause gas (hydro-

gen) to enter the passenger compartment, causing a fire or explosion.
For replacement of the 12-volt battery, contact any authorized Lexus retailer or Lexus

authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

610

7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■

When disconnecting the 12-volt battery

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.

Do not disconnect the negative (-) terminal on

the body side as shown. The disconnected neg-

ative (-) terminal may touch the positive (+) ter-

minal, which may cause a short and result in

death or serious injury.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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Tires

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 the “TWI” or “



” mark, etc., molded

into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.

Rotate the tires in the order shown.

To equalize tire wear and help extend

tire life, Lexus recommends that tire

rotation is carried out approximately

every 10000 km (6000 miles).
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure

warning system after tire rotation.

Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and tread-
wear.

Checking tires

Tire rotation

1

2
3

Front