brake fluid Lexus GS350 2007 Do-it-yourself maintenance / LEXUS 2007 GS430/350 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM30A04U)

95
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. 
Otherwise, you may accidentally move the shift lever or press the accelerator
pedal, which could cause an accident or fire due to abnormal engine overheating.
Additionally, if the vehicle is parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust fumes may
enter the vehicle and cause gas poisoning.
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. 
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making. 
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the pedal than
usual. Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. 
Each push on the pedal uses up yo ur reserved brake fluid pressure.
●The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the systems
fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal should be depressed
more firmly than usual and braking distance becomes longer. 
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
■If the vehicle becomes stuc k or bogged (4WD models)
Do not spin the wheels recklessly when any of the tires is up in the air, or stuck in
sand or mud, etc. This may damage the drive system components or propel the
vehicle forward (or in another direction) and cause an accident.

365
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery• Maintenance-free (P. 3 8 6 )
Brake fluid• At the correct level? (P. 3 8 5 )
Engine coolant• At the correct level? ( P. 3 8 3 )
Engine oil• At the correct level? ( P. 3 7 8 )
Exhaust system• No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses• Not blocked with foreign matter? 
( P. 3 8 4 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d• At the correct level? ( P. 3 8 9 )
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed
at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner’s
Manual Supplement”. It is recommend ed that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.

369
4
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition ( P. 3 8 7)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 3 8 6 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake
fluid)
Engine coolant level 
(P. 3 8 4 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene gly-
col based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
For the U.S.A.: 
“Toyota 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 cool-
ant)

375
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Engine oil filler cap
( P. 3 7 9 )
Engine oil level dipstick 
( P. 380)
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 386)
Fuse box ( P. 413)
Washer fluid tank 
( P. 390)Engine coolant reservoir 
( P. 384)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 385)
Radiator ( P. 385)
Fuse box ( P. 413)
Battery ( P. 387)
GS430

376
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oil level dipstick
( P. 3 7 9 )
Engine oil filler cap 
( P. 380)
Brake fluid reservoir 
( P. 386)
Fuse box ( P. 413)
Washer fluid tank 
( P. 390)Engine coolant reservoir 
( P. 384)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P. 385)
Radiator ( P. 385)
Fuse box ( P. 413)
Battery ( P. 387)
GS350

385
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Brake fluid
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid lev
el should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ A
dding fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted
surfaces. 
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.

386
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Battery
Check the battery as follows.
■B
attery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals ar e not corr
oded and that there are
no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
■ Checking batter
y condition
Check the battery condition by the indicator color.
Blue: Good condition
White: Charging necessary.
Have the battery checked by
y
our Lexus dealer.
Red: Not working properly,
have the battery checked by
y
our Lexus dealer.
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 or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high. 
If the reservoir needs frequent refilli ng, it may indicate a serious problem.

5
When trouble arises
445
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the v
ehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat
-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temper atur
e gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ A
udible symptoms
●Changes in e
xhaust sound
● Ex
cessive tire squeal when cornering
●Str
ange noises related to the suspension system
●P
inging or other noises related to the engine
■ Oper
ational symptoms
●Engine mis
sing, stumbling or running rough
●A
ppreciable loss of power
●V
ehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●V
ehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● L
oss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

5
When trouble arises
449
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Immediately stop the vehicl e in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer.
*: Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
 P. 4 6 3
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning light (warning buzzer)*
•Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system
This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is fully
released, the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn on or
flash. If a light turns on or flashes, bu t then turns off, this does not necessar
-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system.

5
When trouble arises
463
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetailsCorrection procedure
The trunk is not fully
closed. flashes and a
buzzer sounds to indi-
cate that trunk is not fully
closed (with the vehicle
having reached a speed
of 3 mph [5 km/h]).
Close the trunk.
(Flashing)
The moon roof is not fully
closed (with the engine
switch “OFF” and the
driver’s door opened).
Close the moon roof.
(Flashing)
The parking brake is still
engaged (with the vehicle
having reached a speed
of more than 3 mph [5
km/h]).
Release the parking
brake.
The washer fluid level is
low.Add washer fluid.
The engine oil level is low.Check the engine oil level,
and add if necessary.