Lexus RC F (2024 year). Manual in english - page 8

P.98)

■

Wheels and wheel ornaments (vehicles

without matte painted wheels)

●

Remove any dirt immediately by using a

neutral detergent.

●

Wash detergent off with water immedi-

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

■

Wheels and wheel ornaments (vehicles

with matte painted wheels)

A different set of care is necessary for matte

painted wheels and wheel ornaments. Con-

tact your Lexus dealer for details.

●

Remove dirt using water as early as pos-

sible.

If the wheels are excessively dirty, use

diluted neutral detergent.

●

When using detergent, make sure to

rinse it off with water immediately. Then

use a soft cloth to wipe off the water.

●

Use a sponge or soft cloth to remove the

dirt by hand.

●

To prevent the matte paint from being

damaged or glossy, make sure to observe

the following precautions:

• Do not apply any coatings or wax.

• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive

detergents.

• When using tire cleaners or tire wax, do

not allow them to be applied to the

wheels.

• Do not scrub or polish the wheels using a

brush or dry cloth, etc.

• When using an automatic car wash, do

not select the wheel brush function.

• Do not use a high pressure washer or

steam cleaner.

• Do not use detergent on the wheels when

they are hot, such as after driving or park-

ing in hot weather.

■

Diffuser (Vehicles with titanium muf-

flers)

The cleaning method for the diffuser on

vehicles with titanium mufflers differs from

that for normal diffusers.

●

When using detergent, make sure to

rinse it off with water immediately. Then

use a soft cloth to wipe off the water.

●

To prevent the diffuser from being dam-

aged, make sure to observe the following

precautions:

• Do not scrub or polish the diffuser using a

brush or dry cloth.

• Do not apply any ceramic coatings or use

abrasive detergents.

252

6-1. Maintenance and care

■

Brake caliper coating

●

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

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

253

6-1. Maintenance and care

Mai
nte

e a

are

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

■

Application of coatings to the vehicle

body (vehicles with CFRP parts)

Do not apply any kind of coating to the

vehicle body as doing so may damage

the paint or reduce its durability.

■

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.

254

6-1. Maintenance and care

●

Do not spray water directly on the

radar which is equipped behind the

emblem. Otherwise it may cause the

device to be damaged.

●

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.

●

Do not point the nozzle of a high pres-

sure washer at the areas shown in the

illustration, as high pressure water may

damage the oil coolers.

■

Hood vent

When washing the vehicle, do not allow a

large amount of water to enter the hood

vent at once, such as when using a

bucket, etc. or point the nozzle of a high

pressure washer at the hood vent.

Water may get inside the engine com-

partment and affect the engine and other

components.

255

6-1. Maintenance and care

Mai
nte

e a

are



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.

■

CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plas-

tic) parts (if equipped)

When cleaning, remove dirt using a soft

moist cloth or synthetic chamois, and then

wipe the surface with a soft dry cloth to

remove any remaining moisture.

Cleaning and protecting the
vehicle interior

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

Protecting the vehicle interior

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.30)

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.

256

6-1. Maintenance and care



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.

NOTICE

■

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.156)

■

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.

Cleaning the leather areas

Cleaning the synthetic leather
areas

257

6-1. Maintenance and care

Mai
nte

e a

are

It is recommended that regular mainte-
nance should be performed for areas
that are frequently touched to maintain
quality.

■

Routine maintenance

This maintenance is most effective if
performed regularly (around once per
month).

Soak a cloth in lukewarm water
(approximately 104°F [40°C]),
wring it out thoroughly and then
wipe the entire body.

Wipe carefully so that the pile is not dishev-

eled. Be sure to prepare a clean cloth.

Once you have wiped the part with the

cloth, rinse it until it is completely clean

before using the cloth again.

Once it has dried, use a lint brush
or the like to comb the pile.

■

When cleaning the artificial
leather (Alcantara

)



If liquid is spilled onto the surface,
apply tissue paper or the like to
absorb the liquid.



If any substance such as mud or cof-
fee dries and becomes stuck to the
surface, use a lint brush or the like to
lightly brush the dirty area and
remove the substance. Then, it is
recommended to clean the dried
substance from the surface using a
vacuum cleaner.



For oil-based substances, use a dry
cloth or tissue paper to wipe off the

substance as much as possible,
while being careful not to spread it.

If the substance still cannot be
removed, use the following procedure
to remove it.

Liquid substances: Soak a cloth in
lukewarm water (approximately
104°F [40°C]), wring it out thor-
oughly and then wipe the dirty area
from the outside inward.

Wipe carefully so that the pile is not dishev-

eled. Be sure to prepare a clean cloth and

use the clean portion of it to clean the sur-

face.
Oil-based substances: Dab a cloth soaked

in benzene, lukewarm water or pure ethyl

alcohol (for drinking) within the dirty area

from the outside inward, and then dab a

dry cloth on the dirty area to absorb the

substance.

If the pile on the surface is dishev-
eled, use a lint brush or the like to
lightly brush the surface, and then
allow the surface to dry completely.

■

To remove substances adhered to
the pile

To clean dust or other adhered sub-
stances, use a lint brush or the like to
lightly brush the area and remove the
substance. If the substance still cannot
be removed, use adhesive tape to
remove it.

: Alcantara

is a registered trademark of

Alcantara S.p.A.

Cleaning the artificial leather
(Alcantara

®*

) areas (if

equipped)

NOTICE

■

When driving

Areas that are frequently touched are

more likely to attract dirt. Ensure that

your hands are clean before touching

anything.

259

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

Mai
nte

e a

are

6-2.Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

Illustrations in this manual are simplified for explanation and may not represent the actual
vehicle.

Top coat (clear): A transparent coating which protects the lower layers of paint.
Some clear coats enhance the appearance through improved color depth or
gloss.
Top coat (base): Paint which gives the vehicle body its color.
Intermediate coat: Enhances the top coat finish and durability.
Primer: Enhances the rust resistance of steel parts of the vehicle body. Primer is
also applied to the inner side of vehicle body and structural components.



Normal clear coat



Cross section

Basic knowledge about matte clear coat

The body of a vehicle is painted with layers of several different coatings to
enhance its durability and appearance. The top layer is called a clear coat.

Unlike a normal clear coat, which enhances the glossy appearance of the base
paint, matte clear coat gives the base paint a non-glossy finish with a unique
texture.

In order to ensure the longevity of the matte clear coat and its texture, special
care must be taken when cleaning the vehicle.

Basic paint structure

B
C
D

Difference between general
clear coat and matte clear coat

261

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

Mai
nte

e a

are

If the painted surfaces of the vehicle
are dirty, wash the vehicle immediately.
(Washing your vehicle

P.263)

Dirt

Due to the slight unevenness, matte
clear coat surfaces are more likely to
trap dirt and other foreign matter com-
pared to normal clear coat surfaces.

If dirt or foreign matter is left on the
vehicle, it may settle into the textured
surface of the matte clear coat, making
it more difficult to remove. Additionally,
as the surface of the matte clear coat
will become more flat when dirty, the
vehicle body will start to look glossy,
ruining the textured finish.
Therefore, make sure to clean the vehi-
cle regularly and not allow dirt to
remain on the vehicle for extended
periods of time.
If dirt or foreign matter is allowed to
settle and cannot be cleaned off with
normal washing, it will be necessary to
remove the dirt with the upper layer of
the textured finish and then to repaint
the entire part.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.

■

Materials that may become difficult to

remove

The following are likely to settle into the

vehicle body and should be cleaned off

immediately.

Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior

262

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

●

Rain water, sea water, and other liquids

that may cause water stains

●

Sand, pollen, volcanic ash, and other par-

ticulate matter

●

Dead insects, bird droppings, etc.

●

Sap, leaves, flowers, etc.

●

Mud, snow, anti-freezing agents, and

other road debris

●

Gasoline, engine oil, asphalt, and other

oily materials

■

Do not apply a coating to the vehicle

Do not apply a coating to the vehicle body,

as it will form a film over the painted sur-

faces, filling the matte clear coat surface,

making it more flat. As a result, it will

become more glossy, possibly permanently

losing its matte properties.

Take care in order to not damage the
painted surfaces.
When minor damage occurs to a vehi-
cle with a normal clear coat, it can be
repaired by polishing it or using touch
up paint. In contrast, a matte clear coat

cannot be repaired using these meth-
ods.
If these methods are used the uneven-
ness of the matte clear coat may be
removed or filled in. In either case, the
surface will become more flat, making

Repair of paint damage

263

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

Mai
nte

e a

are

it appear more glossy, possibly perma-
nently losing its matte properties.
In order to maintain the matte finish
when repairing damage, it will be nec-
essary to repaint the entire part.



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.

Washing your vehicle

Washing the vehicle by hand is rec-
ommended.

How to wash your vehicle

NOTICE

■

Avoiding damage to the painted sur-

faces

Observe the following precautions.

Otherwise, the painted surfaces of your

vehicle may be damaged and perma-

nently lose their matte properties.

●

When washing the vehicle, do not use

a brush.

●

Do not use rubbing or polishing com-

pounds (ex. scratch remover).

●

Do not rub the vehicle body.

264

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

■

General washing tips (



P.263)

■

If the vehicle body is dirty (

P.261)

Question: What should I do if any of the following have attached to the vehicle?

NOTICE

●

Do not attach a stickers to or vinyl

wrap the vehicle body.

●

Before attaching a magnet (sign, etc.)

to the vehicle body, make sure to wash

and thoroughly dry the area of the

vehicle body where the magnet is to

be attached.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are frequently asked questions about the matte clear coat and
their answers:

Washing the vehicle

Question

Answer

Can the vehicle be washed?

Yes. The vehicle should be washed immediately if it is dirty.

Can the vehicle be washed
frequently?

Is there anything I should be
careful about when washing
the vehicle?

Make sure to start by rinsing the entire vehicle with plenty
of water from top to bottom.

Item

Answer

Leaves, flowers, branches,
etc.

Remove immediately.
They may scratch the matte clear coat and if they are
allowed to remain on the vehicle, dirt may settle into the
matte clear coat, making it more flat. As a result, it will
become more glossy, possibly permanently losing its matte
properties.

265

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

Mai
nte

e a

are

■

Vehicle washing products (



P.263)

Sand, pollen, and other par-
ticulate matter

Wash off with water immediately.
If the contaminants are allowed to remain on the vehicle,
they may settle into the matte clear coat, making it more
glossy, possibly causing it to permanently lose its matte
properties.

Asphalt (tar)

Water repellent glass coating

Remove immediately.
Even if removed, depending on the contaminant, the matte
clear coat may be damaged, possibly permanently losing its
matte properties.

Glass treatment remover

Tire cleaner

Gasoline

Oil

Washer fluid

Question

Answer

What should I use to wipe off
dirt?

Use a soft chamois cloth.

What should I use to dry the
vehicle?

Can I use a water stain
remover?

Lexus does not recommend the use of water stain remov-
ers, as they may damage the matte clear coat.

Can the vehicle be waxed?

No. Do not wax the vehicle or apply a coating to the vehicle
body, as they may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.

Can a coating be applied to
the vehicle body?

Can I use an iron remover?

No, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its matte
texture

Can I use tar and pitch
remover?

No, as they may damage the matte clear coat.

Can I use a matte paint
cleaner/wax?

Lexus does not recommend the use of matte paint cleaners
or waxes, as they may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.

Item

Answer

266

6-2. Matte paint care guide (if equipped)

■

Body coatings

■

Repairing the vehicle body (



P.262)

■

Attaching accessories and other objects to the vehicle

Are there genuine Lexus
vehicle washing products
available for matte paint?

No. Use a soft chamois cloth for cleaning the vehicle body.

Are there any vehicle wash-
ing product brands that Lexus
recommends?

No. Use a soft chamois cloth for cleaning the vehicle body.

Question

Answer

Can a body coating available
at a Lexus dealer be applied?

No, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its matte
texture.

Can an aftermarket body
coating be applied?

Lexus does not recommend applying a coating to the vehi-
cle body, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.

Can an aftermarket body
coating designed for matte
paint be applied?

Lexus does not recommend applying a coating to the vehi-
cle body, as it may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture.

Question

Answer

Can damage to the paint be
repaired?

In order to maintain the matte finish when repairing paint
damage, it is necessary to repaint the entire part. Consult
your Lexus dealer for details.

Can I use rubbing or polish-
ing compound (ex. scratch
remover)?

No. Using a rubbing or polishing compound or touch up
paint may damage the matte clear coat. In order to maintain
the matte finish when repairing paint damage, it is neces-
sary to repaint the entire part. Consult your Lexus dealer
for details.

Can I use touch up paint?

Question

Answer

Can a sticker or vinyl wrap be
attached to the vehicle body?

No. They may damage matte clear coat when they are
installed and may cause the matte clear coat to lose its
matte texture when they are removed.

Can a magnet be attached to
the vehicle body?

Yes. Make sure to wash and thoroughly dry the area around
where the magnet is to be attached before attaching it.

Question

Answer

267

6-3. Maintenance

Mai
nte

e a

are

6-3.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:

Select

on the multi-information dis-

play. (



P.82)

Press the

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. (

General maintenance

Scheduled maintenance

268

6-3. Maintenance

Maintenance”. (To confirm setting,
press .)

Select “Yes” and then press

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. (



Brake fluid

Is the brake fluid at the
correct level?
(

Engine coolant

Is the engine coolant at
the correct level?
(

P.278)

Engine oil

Is the engine oil at the
correct level?
(

Exhaust system

There should not be
any fumes or strange
sounds.

269

6-3. Maintenance

Mai
nte

e a

are

Radiator and con-
denser

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



Washer fluid

Is there sufficient
washer fluid?
(



P.282)

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.

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

270

6-3. Maintenance

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

271

6-3. Maintenance

Mai
nte

e a

are

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

272

6-4. Do-it-yourself maintenance

6-4.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
(



• Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional

wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)

Brake fluid level
(



• 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 coolant
level(



P.278)

• “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
(

• “Toyota Genuine

Motor Oil” or equiv-
alent

• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for

adding engine oil)

Fuses (



P.297)

• Fuse with same

amperage rating as
original

Items

Parts and tools

273

6-4. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Mai
nte

e a

are

Light bulbs
(



P.300)

• Bulb with same num-

ber and wattage rat-
ing as original

• Phillips-head screw-

driver

• Flathead screw-

driver

• Wrench

Radiator and con-
denser (





Tire inflation pres-
sure (



P.290)

• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air

source

Washer fluid
(



P.282)

• 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.

●

Do not leave anything that may burn

easily, such as paper and rags, in the

engine compartment.

Items

Parts and tools

●

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. (

■

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.

276

6-4. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Fuse boxes (

P.297)

Battery (



Engine oil level dipstick (

Engine coolant reservoir (



P.278)

Engine oil filler cap (



Brake fluid reservoir (



Washer fluid tank (



P.282)

Electric cooling fans
Condenser (



Radiator (



With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.

Park the vehicle on level ground.
After warming up the engine and
turning it off, wait about 5 minutes
for the oil to drain back into the bot-
tom of the engine.

Engine compartment

Components

A
B
C
D

E
F

Checking the engine oil

277

6-4. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Mai
nte

e a

are

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

Wipe the dipstick clean.

Reinsert the dipstick fully.

Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out and check whether
the oil level is above low level mark.

Low level mark

The shape of the dipstick may differ

depending on the type of vehicle or

engine.

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it
fully.

■

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

■

Engine oil level rise

If the vehicle is repeatedly driven without

the engine warmed up, moisture caused by

dew condensation inside the engine or fuel

which did not burn mixes into the engine oil,

resulting in a rise in engine oil level. How-

ever, this is not a malfunction. For example,

the engine become difficult to be warmed

up in the following situations.

●

When driving a short distance

●

When driving at a low speed

●

When the outside temperature is low

When checking the engine oil, make sure

that the engine is warmed up. If the engine

oil level exceeds the refill upper limit mark,

contact your Lexus dealer.

■

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.358



Oil quantity (Low level mark



Refill upper limit mark)
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)



Item

NOTICE

■

To prevent serious engine damage

Check the oil level on a regular basis.

Adding engine oil

278

6-4. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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.

Remove the oil filler cap by turning
it counterclockwise.

Add engine oil slowly, checking the
dipstick.

Make sure that the oil level does not

exceed the refill upper limit mark and is

between the low level mark and refill upper

limit mark.

Low level mark
Refill upper limit mark

The shape of the dipstick may differ
depending on the type of vehicle or
engine.

Install the oil filler cap by turning it
clockwise.

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

A
B

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

■

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

279

6-4. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Mai
nte

e a

are

■

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.352)

■

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

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.

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
your Lexus dealer.

A
B
C

WARNING

■

When the engine is hot

Do not remove the engine coolant reser-

voir cap. (