maintenance Lexus GS350 2013 Owner's Guide

615
GS350_U (OM30C34U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes ( →P. 6 4 8 )
Battery ( →P. 6 2 4 )
Engine oil level dipstick (→P. 6 1 7 )
Engine coolant reservoir (→P. 6 2 0 )
Engine oil filler cap (→P. 6 1 8 ) Brake fluid reservoir
(→P. 623)
Washer fluid tank ( →P. 6 2 8 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 622)
Radiator ( →P. 622)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

616
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Removing the engine compartment cover
XRight-hand side
XCenter
■Installing the clipsPush up center portion
Insert
Press
Engine compartment cover
1
2
3
NOTICE
■Checking the engine compartment cover after installation
Make sure that the cover is securely installed in its original position.

GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6176-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine and
turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the bottom of the engine.
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 the oil
level. Low
Full
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
XTy p e AXType B
6

618
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 considerable 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, when driving while accel-
erating or decelerating frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
●When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil may have
become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accurately.
Engine oil selection →P. 7 5 5
Oil quantity
(Low → Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
1
2
3

GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6196-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin
disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged 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 dis-
pose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning 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.

620
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL” line.
(→ P. 74 7 )
■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 mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -31 °F [-35 °C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -44 °F [-42 °C])
For more details about engine 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.
Engine coolant
1
2
3

GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6216-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap or the radiator cap.(→P. 74 8 )
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 cooling. 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.

622
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6-3. 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
condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Radiator and condenser
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious inju-
ries, such as burns.

GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6236-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item.
■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.
Brake fluid
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Items Clean funnel
CAUTION
■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.

624
GS350_U (OM30C34U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.Te r m i n a l s
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.
Battery
1
2
1
2