battery LEXUS RC300 2021 Owner's Guide

2496-2. Maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Maintenance”. (To confirm setting,
press .)
3 Select “Yes” and then press .
4 A message will be displayed on the
multi-information display when the
reset procedure has been completed.
You can perform some maintenance
procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself
maintenance may affect warranty cov-
erage.
The use of Lexus repair manuals is recom-
mended.
For details about warra nty coverage, refer
to the separate “Owner’s Guide”, “War-
ranty and Service Guide”, “Owner’s Man-
ual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.
Do-it-yourself maintenance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general main-
tenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in
the “Warranty and Service Guide”
or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
It is recommended that any prob-
lem you notice should be brought to
the attention of your Lexus dealer
or qualified service shop for advice.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there
is adequate ventilati on before perform-
ing maintenance checks.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Battery
Check the indicator (if
equipped) and con-
nections. ( P.263)
Brake fluid
Is the brake fluid at the
correct level?
( P.262)
Engine/inter-
cooler coolant
Is the engine/inter-
cooler coolant at the
correct level?
( P.260)
Engine oil
Is the engine oil at the
correct level?
( P.258)
Exhaust system
There should not be
any fumes or strange
sounds.

2526-2. Maintenance
The OBD system determines that a
problem exists somewhere in the emis-
sion control system. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test and may need to
be repaired. Contact your Lexus
dealer to service the vehicle.
When the battery is disconnected
or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordi-
nary driving are erased.Also, depending
on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on
indicating a temporary malfunction and
your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The error code in the OBD system will
not be cleared unless the vehicle is
driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare
the vehicle for re-testing.
Emission inspection and
maintenance (I/M) pro-
grams
Some states have vehicle emission
inspection programs which include
OBD (On Board Diagnostics)
checks. The OBD system monitors
the operation of the emission con-
trol system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp
comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the
I/M test in the following situa-
tions:
When the malfunction indicator
lamp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the
I/M test

2536-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 condition
( P.263)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional
wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
( P.262)
• SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No.116 DOT
3 brake fluid
• SAE J1704 or FMVSS No.116 DOT
4 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/inter-
cooler coolant
level( P.260)
•“Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant” or a
similar high quality
ethylene gly-
col-based non-sili-
cate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and
non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid
organic acid tech-
nology
• For the U.S.A.:“Toy- ota 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 coolant)
Engine oil level
( P.258)
•“Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” or equiv-
alent
• Rag or paper towel
•Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P.278)
•Fuse with same
amperage rating as
original
ItemsParts and tools

2546-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Light bulbs
( P.281)
•Bulb with same num-
ber and wattage rat-
ing as original
• Phillips-head screw- driver
•Flathead screw- driver
•Wrench
Radiator, con-
denser and inter-
cooler radiator
(  P.262)

Tire inflation pres-
sure ( P.273)• Tire pressure gauge
•Compressed air
source
Washer fluid
( P.264)
• Water or washer
fluid containing anti-
freeze (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 fans 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.
ItemsParts and tools●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 cautious when working
on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■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.262)
■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.

2576-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RC350/RC300 AWDFuse boxes ( P.278)
Battery ( P.263)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.258)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.260)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.258)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.262)
Washer fluid tank ( P.264)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P.262)
Radiator ( P.262)
Engine compartment
Components
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J

2586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC300Fuse boxes ( P.278)
Battery ( P.263)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P.258)
Engine oil filler cap ( P.258)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P.260)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.262)
Washer fluid tank ( P.264)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( P.262)
Intercooler radiator ( P.262)
Radiator ( P.262)
Intercooler coolant reservoir ( P.260)
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 it off, wait more than 5 min-
utes for the oil to drain back into the
bottom of the engine.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Checking and adding the engine
oil

2636-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■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
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces
hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. Therefore, observe the following
before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on
the vehicle, be sure to disconnect the
ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the char-
ger is off when connecting and discon-
necting the charger cables to the battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the bat-
tery
The engine may not start. Follow the proce-
dure below to initialize the system.
1 Shift the shift lever to P.
2 Open and close either door.
3 Restart the engine.
●Unlocking the doors using the smart
access system with pu sh-button start may
not be possible immediately after recon-
necting the battery. If this happens, use
the wireless remote control or the
mechanical key to lo ck/unlock the doors.
●Start the engine with the engine switch in
ACCESSORY mode. The engine may
not start with the engine switch turned off.
However, the engine will operate nor-
mally from the second attempt.
●The engine switch mode is recorded by
the vehicle. If the battery is disconnected
and reconnected, the vehicle will return
the engine switch mode to the status it
was in before the battery was discon-
nected. Make sure to turn off the engine
before disconnecting the battery. Take
extra care when connecting the battery if
the engine switch mode prior to the bat-
tery being disconnected is unknown.
If the system will not start even after multi-
ple attempts, contact your Lexus dealer.
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 level in the accumulator
is high.
If the reservoir need s frequent refilling,
there may be a serious problem.
Battery
A
B

2646-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.
RC350/RC300 AWD
WARNING
■Chemicals in the battery
Batteries contain poisonous and corro-
sive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and
explosive. To reduce the risk of death or
serious injury, take the following precau-
tions while working on or near the bat-
tery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the
battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the
battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and
clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.
●Keep children away from the battery.
■Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open
area. Do not charge the battery in a
garage or closed room where there is
insufficient ventilation.
■How to recharge the battery
Only perform a slow charge (5 A or
less). The 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 med-
ical 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 atten-
tion immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your
skin. Immediately take off the clothing
and follow the procedure above if neces-
sary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk.
Get emergency medical attention imme-
diately.
NOTICE
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the
engine is running. Also, be sure all acces-
sories are turned off.
Adding the washer fluid

2776-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
The following symptoms may occur:
●The smart access syst em with push-but-
ton start and wireless remote control will
not function properly.
●The operational rang e will be reduced.
■When the card key battery needs to be
replaced (if equipped)
The battery for th e card key is available only
at Lexus dealers. Your Lexus dealer can
replace the battery for you.
 Flathead screwdriver
 Small flathead screwdriver
 Lithium battery CR2032
■Use a CR2032 lithium battery
●Batteries can be purchased at your Lexus
dealer, local electrical appliance shops or
camera stores.
●Replace only with the same or equivalent
type recommended by the manufacturer.
●Dispose of used batteries according to
local laws.
1 Take out the mechanical key.
2 Remove the cover.
To prevent damage to the key, wrap the tip
of the screwdri ver with tape.
3Remove the depleted battery.
Insert a new battery with the “+” terminal
facing up.
Electronic key battery
Replace the battery with a new one
if it is depleted.
As the key may be damaged if the
following procedure is not per-
formed properly, it is recom-
mended that key battery
replacement be performed by your
Lexus dealer.
Items to prepare
Replacing the battery
WARNING
■Battery precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.

2786-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
1Turn the engine switch off.
2 Open the fuse box cover.
Engine compartment: type A fuse
box
Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
Engine compartment: type B fuse
box
Push the tab in and lift the lid off.
Left side instrument panel
Remove the lid.
WARNING
●Do not swallow the battery. Doing so
may cause chemical burns.
●A coin battery or button battery is
used in the electronic key. If a battery is
swallowed, it may cause severe chemi-
cal burns in as little as 2 hours and may
result in death or serious injury.
●Keep away new and removed batteries
from children.
●If the cover cannot be firmly closed,
stop using the electronic key and stow
the key in the place where children
cannot reach, and then contact your
Lexus dealer.
●If you accidentally swallow a battery or
put a battery into a part of your body,
get emergency medical attention
immediately.
■To prevent battery explosion or leak-
age of flammable liquid or gas
●Replace the battery with a new battery
of the same type. If a wrong type of
battery is used, it may explode.
●Do not expose batteries to extremely
low pressure due to high altitude or
extremely high temperatures.
●Do not burn, break or cut a battery.
NOTICE
■For normal operation after replacing
the battery
Observe the following precautions to
prevent accidents:
●Always work with dry hands.Moisture
may cause the battery to rust.
●Do not touch or move any other com-
ponent inside the remote control.
●Do not bend either of the battery ter-
minals.
Checking and replacing
fuses
If any of the electrical components
do not operate, a fuse may have
blown. If this happens, check and
replace the fuses as necessary.
Checking and replacing fuses