LEXUS NX300 2020 Owners Manual

3316-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
6-3.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
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condi-
tion (P.340)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp
bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P.340)
•FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 or SAE J1703;
FMVSS No.116 DOT
4 or SAE J1704 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/inter-
cooler coolant
level ( P.338)
•“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” or a sim-
ilar high quality eth-
ylene glycol-based
non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and
non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid
organic acid technol-
ogy
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deion-
ized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” is pre-
mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deion-
ized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P.336)
•“Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or equiva-
lent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses
( P.358)Fuse with same amper-
age rating as original
Light bulbs
( P.361)Bulb with same number
and wattage rating as
original
Headlight aimPhillips-head screw-
driver
Radiator and
condenser
( P.339)
—
ItemsParts and tools

3326-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
Tire inflation
pressure
( P.351)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
( P.342)
• Water or washer fluid
containing antifreeze
(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, clothi ng and tools away
from the moving fan 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.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose
an open flame to fuel or the battery.
Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautions when working
on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
ItemsParts and tools■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. ( P.339)
■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.

3336-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
1Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2Pull up the auxiliary catch lever and
lift the hood.■Front
Hood
Opening the hood
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and
locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may
open while the vehicle is in motion and
cause an accident, which may result in
death or serious injury.
Positioning a floor jack
When using a floor jack, follow the
instructions in the manual provided
with the jack and perform the oper-
ation safely.
When raising your vehicle with a
floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly.
Improper placement may damage
your vehicle or cause injury.
Location of the jack point

3346-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■Rear
1 Remove the bolt and then
remove the cover .
2 Rise your vehicle with a floor jack.
A
B

3356-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
Fuse box (P.358)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.338)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.336)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.336)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.338)
Battery ( P.340)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.340)
Radiator ( P.339)
Condenser ( P.339)
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank ( P.342)
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K

3366-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■Removing the engine compart-
ment cover
■Installing the clips
1
Insert
2
Press With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
1
Park the vehicle on level ground.
After warming up the engine and
turning off the engine, wait more
than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
2
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
3
Wipe the dipstick clean.
4
Reinsert the dipstick fully with its
protruding areas ( in the illustra-
tion) pointing towards engine.
Engine compartment cover
NOTICE
■After installing an engine compart-
ment cover
Make sure that the cover is securely
installed in its original position.
Checking and adding the engine
oil
A

3376-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
5Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out and check the oil
level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
Measuring side
6 Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it
fully.
■Checking the oil type and prepar-
ing the items needed
Make sure to check the oil type and
prepare the items needed before add-
ing oil.
 Engine oil selection
P.410
 Oil quantity (Low  Full)
1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)
Items
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. 1
Remove the oil filler cap by turning
it counterclockwise.
2 Add engine oil slowly, checking the
dipstick.
3 Install the oil filler cap by turning it
clockwise.
■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, when towing, or when
driving while accelerating or decelerat-
ing frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long
time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
■After changing the engine oil
The engine oil maintenance data should be
reset. Perform the following procedures:
1 Press or of the meter control
switches and select .
A
B
C
D

3386-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
2
Press or of the meter control
switches, select the “Vehicle Settings”
and then press .
3
Press or of the meter control
switches, select the “Oil Maintenance”
and then press and hold the .
4
Select the “Yes” and push .
“The Data Has Been Reset” is displayed
on the multi-information display.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines
on the reservoir when the engine is
cold.
■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.403)
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
■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 o il filler cap is prop-
erly tightened.
Checking the engine coolant
A
B
C

3396-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
6
Maintenance and care
■Intercooler 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.
■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 cap, 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 and the intercooler coolant reservoir
cap.
The cooling system may be under pres-
sure 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 pre-
vent it from damaging parts or paint.
Checking the radiator and con-
denser
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser
as they may be hot and cause serious
injuries, such as burns.

3406-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
LEXUS NX300 Owners Manual_USA_M78389_en
■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.
 Fluid type
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703;
FMVSS No.116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704
brake fluid
Items
Clean funnel
■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.
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.
Terminals
Hold-down clamp
WARNING
■When the electric cooling fans are
operating
Do not touch the engine compartment.
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. Be sure the engine switch is
off when working near the electric cool-
ing fans or radiatorgrille.
Checking and adding the brake
fluid
WARNING
■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 leve l in the accumulator
is high.
If the reservoir need s frequent refilling,
there may be a serious problem.
Checking the battery
A
B