flat tire Lexus IS300h 2013 User Guide

425
7Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ......... 426
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior .......... 430
7-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements ................... 433
7-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions...................... 435
Hood ................................. 437
Positioning a floor jack ..... 438
Engine compartment ......... 439
12-volt battery................... 447
Tires .................................. 450
Replacing the tire .............. 460
Tire inflation pressure ....... 466
Wheels .............................. 468
Air conditioning filter ....... 470
Electronic key battery ....... 472
Checking and replacing
fuses ................................ 475
Light bulbs ........................ 479

4347-2. Maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Lexus recom-
mends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and
repairs be carried out by authorized Lexus dealers or repairers or other duly qual-
ified and equipped professionals. For repairs and services covered by your war-
ranty, please visit an authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, who will use genuine
Lexus parts in repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There can also be
advantages in utilizing authorized Lexus dealers or repairers for non-warranty
repairs and services, as members of the Lexus network will be able to expertly
assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional will perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and
economically due to their experience with Lexus vehicles.
Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs that
indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condition-
ing system after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked imme-
diately.)
Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost touches
the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 110)
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as soon as possi-
ble. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
CAUTION
If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possi-
ble death or serious injury.
Handling of the 12-volt battery
12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after
handling.
(P. 447)

435
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery
condition (P.
447)•Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Engine/power con-
trol unit coolant
level (P. 444)
• “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 pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(P. 440)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 475)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(P. 479)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screw-
driver• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiators and con-
denser (P. 446)
Tire inflation pres-
sure (P. 466)• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 446)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter
use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

4517-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire inflation pres-
sure before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light. (P. 509)
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer
and the tire pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional. (P. 452)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
When rotating the tires.
When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing
traveling speed or load weight.
When changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system

4527-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the power switch off.
Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. (P. 570)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation pres-
sure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on this pres-
sure level.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Press and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the
tire pressure warning light
blinks slowly 3 times.
Wait for a few minutes with the power switch in ON mode and then
turn the power switch off.
Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the ID code
registered by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
1
2
3
4
5

4537-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fab-
ric, 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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about
10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays on to
indicate a system malfunction.
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has
seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
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.
Low profile tires (except 16-inch 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 appropriate for road and weather conditions.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on the 18-inch tires. Snow tires should be used
instead.
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.

4547-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
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.
• Lock nuts 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 vehicle, 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 warning valves and transmitters are
used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not reg-
istered in the tire pressure warning computer.
Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical
noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication device
When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off
could be extended.
When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has burst,
the warning may not function.
The initialization operation
Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire infla-
tion pressure adjustment.
If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during initialization, it is
not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will restart auto-
matically when the power switch has been turned to ON mode for the next time.
If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary,
adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are cold,
and conduct initialization again.
Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system
The warning of the tire pressure warning system will change in accordance with
the conditions under which it was initialized. For this reason, the system may
give a warning even if the tire pressure does not reach a low enough level, or if
the pressure is higher than the pressure that was adjusted to when the system was
initialized.

4557-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following
cases, the settings have not been recorded and the system will not operate prop-
erly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings are unsuccess-
ful, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure warning
light does not blink 3 times.
After carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning light
blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.

4587-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
CAUTION
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.
Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit: Do not tow anything if a
tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire puncture repair kit is
installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected damage to the tire.
When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not operate the tire pressure warning reset switch without first adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure warn-
ing light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may
come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.

4597-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53B95E)
NOTICE
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters
and tire valve caps
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional as the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed,
water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire pressure warn-
ing valves could be bound.
When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck.
To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped
professional or other qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to
replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire.
(P. 451)
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 cush-
ioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause dam-
age to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
Low profile tires (except 16-inch tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when
sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the follow-
ing:
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.