hybrid Lexus IS300h 2015 Manual Online

4617-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
■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 dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually check the radiators, hoses, engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps,
drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional, test the cap and check for leaks in the cooling sys-
tem.
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps or water filler cap.
( → P. 5 74 )
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.

4627-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
Check the radiators 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 dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
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.
Radiators and condenser
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiators or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious injuries,
such as burns.
Washer fluid
CAUTION
■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.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bottle.

4647-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
The meanings of each caution symbol on the top of the 12-volt battery are as fol-
lows:
■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
●The hybrid system may not start. Follow the procedure below to initialize the system.Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the hybrid system.
●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 switch before disconnecting
the 12-volt battery. Take extra care when connecting the 12-volt battery if the power
switch mode prior to the 12-volt battery being disconnected is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multip le attempts at all the methods above, contact
any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped profes-
sional.
Caution symbols
No smoking, no naked
flames, no sparks12-volt battery acid
Shield eyesNote operatin g instructions
Keep away from childrenExplosive gas
1
2
3

4657-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
CAUTION
■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 (4 A — 5 A). Th e 12-volt battery may explode if charged at
a quicker rate.
■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 dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
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.

4767-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking brake.
●Shift the shift lever to P.
●Stop the hybrid system.
Replacing the tire (vehicles with a jack)
When raising your vehicle with a jack, position the jack correctly.
Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Location of the jack and tools
Jack
Jack handle
Screwdriver Towing eyelet
Wheel nut wrench1
2
3
4
5

4777-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
Remove the 12-volt battery cover. (→P. 463)
Take out the jack. For tightening
For loosening
If the jack is too tightly installed to be
removed by hand, insert a tool, such
as the screwdriver included with the
vehicle, into the hole of the jack (por-
tion “A”) and loosen the jack.
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Observe the following precautions.
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off the jack, leading
to death or serious injury.
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for replacing tires on
this vehicle.
●Put the jack properly in its jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported by the jack.
●Do not start the hybrid system or drive the vehicle while the vehicle is supported by
the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is inside.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
●When lowering the vehicle, make sure that there is no-one near the vehicle. If there
are people nearby, warn them vocally before lowering.
Taking out the jack
1
2
1
2

511
8When trouble arises
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
8-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers.................... 512
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency .................................. 513 8-2. Steps to take in an
emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed .......................................514
If you think something is wrong ........................................... 520
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds............................................521
If a warning message is displayed......................................527
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with
emergency tire puncture
repair kit) .................................... 545
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with run-flat
tires).............................................. 559
If the hybrid system will not start ...............................560
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ..................... 562
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............. 563
If the 12-volt battery is discharged ................................. 566
If your vehicle overheats ...........571
If the vehicle becomes stuck ......................... 575

512
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)8-1. Essential information
Press the switch.
All the turn signals will flash.
To turn them off, press the switch once
again.
■Emergency flashers
If the emergency flashers are used for a long time while the hybrid system is not operat-
ing (while the “READY” indicator is not illu
minated), the 12-volt battery may discharge.
Emergency flashers
The emergency flashers are used to warn other drivers when the vehicle has
to be stopped in the road due to a breakdown, etc.

5138-1. Essential information
8
When trouble arises
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)
Steadily step on the brake pedal with both feet and firmly depress it.
Do not pump the brake pedal repeatedly as this will increase the effort required to
slow the vehicle.
Shift the shift lever to N.
XIf the shift lever is shifted to N
After slowing down, stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
Stop the hybrid system.
XIf the shift lever cannot be shifted to N
Keep depressing the brake pedal with both feet to reduce vehicle speed as
much as possible.
To stop the hybrid system, press and
hold the power switch for 2 consec-
utive seconds or more, or press it
briefly 3 times or more in succes-
sion.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place by the road.
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency
Only in an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle in
the normal way, stop the vehicle using the following procedure:
1
2
3
4
3
Press and hold for 2 seconds or more
or press briefly 3 times or more
4
CAUTION
■If the hybrid system has to be turned off while driving
Power assist for the steering wheel will be lost, making the steering wheel heavier to
turn. Decelerate as much as possible before turning off the hybrid system.
5

514
IS300h_EE(OM53D56E)8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
The following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional or commercial towing service before towing.
●A warning message for the hybrid system is shown on the multi-information
display and the vehicle does not move.
●The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by any
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped
professional or commercial towing service, using a wheel-lift type truck or
flatbed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towing, and abide by all state/provincial and
local laws.
Situations when it is necessary to contact dealers before towing