engine overheat LEXUS RC350 2015 Owners Manual

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9 8
7 5 4
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RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
6
8-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ............................................524
If you think something is wrong.............................................531
Fuel pump shut off system ...... 532
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds ......................................... 533
If a warning message is displayed .................................... 539
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with a spare
tire)................................................ 560
If you have a flat tire (vehicles without a spare
tire)................................................. 574
If the engine will not start ........ 587
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P ...........................589
If the electronic key does not operate properly ............. 590
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................. 593
If your vehicle overheats ..........597
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................................600 9-1. Specifications
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.) .................. 604
Fuel information ......................... 620
Tire information........................... 623
9-2. Customization Customizable features ............ 635
9-3. Items to initialize Items to initialize......................... 646
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ........................ 648
Seat belt instructions for Canadian owners
(in French).................................. 649
SRS airbag instructions for Canadian owners
(in French)....................................651
What to do if... (Troubleshooting) ............................... 660
Alphabetical index ................................ 6649Vehicle specifications
For owners
Index
For vehicles with a navigation system, refer to the “NAVIGATION SYSTEM
OWNER’S MANUAL” for information rega rding the equipment listed below.
• Navigation system
• Audio/video system• Intuitive parking assist
• Lexus parking assist monitor

15Pictorial index
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 135
Locking/unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 135
Opening/closing the side window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 171
Locking/unlocking by using the mechanical key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 590
Warning lights/warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 534, 541
Windshield wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 217
Precautions against winter season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 315
To prevent freezing (windshield wiper de-icer)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 421
Precautions against car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 460
Fuel filler door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . 225
Refueling method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 225
Fuel type/fuel tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 607
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 491
Tire size/inflation pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 614
Winter tires/tire chain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 315
Checking/rotation/tire pressure warning system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 491
Coping with flat tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 560, 574
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 475
Opening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 475
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 607
Coping with overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 597
Warning messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. 5 41
Headlights/parking lights/daytime running lights/
turn signal lights /side marker lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 204, 208
Front fog lights
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. 216
1
2
3
4
5
Light bulbs of the exterior lights for driving
(Replacing method: P. 512, Watts: P. 619)
*: If equipped
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7

952. Instrument cluster
2
Instrument cluster
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator of the tachometer enter the red zone, as it represents the
engine speed range which exceeds the maximum safe engine speed.
●If the engine coolant temperature gauge is in the red zone (H), the engine may be
overheating. In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the
engine after it has cooled completely. (P. 5 9 7 )

1022. Instrument cluster
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Instrument panel brightness adjustment
The instrument panel brig htness levels when the tail ligh ts are on and off can be adjusted
individually. However, when the surroundings ar e bright (daytime, etc.), turning on the tail
lights will not change the instru ment panel brightness. At this time, any adjustments made
to the instrument panel bright ness levels will be applied to both settings at once.
■Dimming the analog speedometer lighting
The analog speedometer lighting will be dimm ed when the ambient light is bright, such
as during the daytime, and SPORT S or SPORT S+ mode is selected.
■Outside temperature display
●In the following situations, the correct outside temperature may not be displayed, or the
display may take longer than normal to change.
• When stopped, or driving at low speeds (less than 12 mph [20 km/h])
• When the outside temperature has change d suddenly (at the entrance/exit of a
garage, tunnel, etc.)
●When “ ” or “E” is displayed, the system may be malfunctioning.
Take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer.
■Pop-up display
●In some situations, such as when a switch operation is pe rformed, a pop-up display will
be temporarily displayed on the multi-information display.
●Some pop-up displays can be set on/off. ( P. 1 1 9 )
■Liquid crystal display
Small spots or light spots may appear on the display. This phenomenon is characteristic
of liquid crystal displays, and there is no problem continuing to use the display.
■Customization
The meter display can be customized on the multi-information display. (P. 1 1 0 )
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator of the tachometer enter the red zone, as it represents the
engine speed range which exceeds the maximum safe engine speed.
●In the following situations, the engine may be overheating. In this case, immediately
stop the vehicle in a safe place, and check the engine after it has cooled completely.
(  P. 5 9 7 )
• The engine coolant temperature gauge indi cator ( ) is in the red zone and flash-
ing.
• The engine oil temperature gauge indicato r ( ) is in the red zone and flashing.

1824-1. Before driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When starting the vehicle
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine running. This
prevents the vehicle from creeping.
■When driving the vehicle
●Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accelerator ped-
als to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
• Accidentally depressing th e accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal will
result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident.
• When backing up, you may twist your body around, leading to a difficulty in oper-
ating the pedals. Make sure to operate the pedals properly.
• Make sure to keep a correct driving posture even when moving the vehicle only slightly. This allows you to depress th e brake and accelerator pedals properly.
• Depress the brake pedal using your righ t foot. Depressing the brake pedal using
your left foot may delay response in an emergency, resulting in an accident.
●Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. These hot parts may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off while driving
will not cause loss of steering or braking co ntrol, but the power assist to these systems
will be lost. This will make it more difficul t to steer and brake, so you should pull over
and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the
vehicle in the normal way: P. 5 2 3
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a steep
hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause th e brakes to overheat and lose effective-
ness. ( P. 1 9 9 )
●Do not adjust the positions of the steering wh eel, the seat, or the inside or outside rear
view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control.
●Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Ev en if the legal speed limit permits it, do not
drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires.
Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle
are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.

1844-1. Before driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly
and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●In order to prevent accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing
the brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as neces-
sary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused by the
vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal and securely
apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause the exhaust
system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible material is nearby.
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, sp ray cans, or soft drink cans in the vehicle
when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and plastic mate- rial of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the interior of the
vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a place such as
the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when luggage is loaded or the
seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach adhesive discs to the windsh ield or windows. Do not place containers
such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard. Adhesive discs or con-
tainers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a metallized
film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause the glass to act as a
lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the shift lever to P, stop the engine and lock the
vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattend ed while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipes while the engine is running or immediately after turn-
ing the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.

1964-2. Driving procedures
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Auto power off function
If the vehicle is left in ACCESSORY mode for more than 20 minutes or IGNITION ON
mode (the engine is not running) for more than an hour with the shift lever in P, the engine
switch will automatically turn off. However, this function cannot entirely prevent battery
discharge. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine switch in ACCESSORY or IGNI-
TION ON mode for long periods of ti me when the engine is not running.
■Electronic key battery depletion
P. 1 3 3
■Conditions affe cting operation
 P. 1 4 8
■Notes for the entry function
P. 1 4 9
■If the engine does not start
●Check that the shift lever is securely set in P. The engine may not start if the shift lever is
displaced out of P.
●The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( P. 76 )
Contact your Lexus dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the engine switch off and opening and closing the doors, the steering wheel
will be locked due to the stee ring lock function. Operating the engine switch again auto-
matically cancels the steering lock.
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from over heating, operation of the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeat edly in a short period of time. In this case,
refrain from operating the engine switch. After about 10 seconds, the steering lock
motor will resume functioning.
■When “Check Access System with Elec. Key” is displayed on the multi-information dis-
play
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
■If the electronic key battery is depleted
 P. 5 0 7
“Steering Lock active” will be displayed on the
multi-information display.
Check that the shift lever is in P. Press the
engine switch while turning the steering wheel
left and right.

2874-5. Using the driving support systems
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Sounds and vibrations caused by the ABS, brake assist, VSC, TRAC, hill-start assist
control and VGRS systems
●A sound may be heard from the engine compartment when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, when the engine is started or just after the vehicle begins to
move. This sound does not indicate that a malfunction has occurred in any of these sys-
tems.
●Any of the following condit ions may occur when the above systems are operating.
None of these indicates that a malfunction has occurred.
• Vibrations may be felt through the vehicle body and steering.
• A motor sound may be heard after the vehicle comes to a stop.
• The brake pedal may pulsate slig htly after the ABS is activated.
• The brake pedal may move down s lightly after the ABS is activated.
■EPS, VGRS and DRS operation sound
When the steering wheel is operated, a motor sound may be heard. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
■Reactivation of the TRAC/VSC systems
Even after the TRAC/VSC systems have been turned off, turning the engine off and then
on again will automatically reactivate the TRAC/VSC systems.
■Reactivation of the TRAC system linked to vehicle speed
When only the TRAC system is turned off, the TRAC system will turn on when vehicle
speed increases. However, when both TRAC /VSC systems are turned off, the systems
will not turn on even when vehicle speed increases.
■Reduced effectiveness of the EPS system
The effectiveness of the EPS system is reduced to prevent the system from overheating
when there is frequent steering input over an extended period of time. The steering
wheel may feel heavy as a result. Should this occur, refrain from excessive steering input
or stop the vehicle and turn the engine of f. The EPS system should return to normal
within 10 minutes.
■Operating conditions of hill-start assist control
When the following four conditions are met, the hill-start assist control will operate:
●The shift lever is in a position other than P or N (when starting off forward/backward on
an upward incline).
●The vehicle is stopped.
●The accelerator pedal is not depressed.
●The parking brake is not engaged.
■Automatic system cancelation of hill-start assist control
The hill-start assist control will turn off in any of the following situations:
●The shift lever is moved to P or N.
●The accelerator pedal is depressed.
●The parking brake is engaged.
●Approximately 2 seconds elapse after the brake pedal is released.

4256-1. Using the air conditioning system
6
Interior features
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Turn the heated steering wheel on/off
The indicator light comes on when the
heated steering wheel is operating.
Heated steering wheel/seat heaters/seat ventila-
tors


: If equipped
Heated steering wheel and seat heaters heat the side grips of the steering
wheel and seats, respectively. Seat ventilators maintain good airflow by blow-
ing air from the seats.
WA R N I N G
●Care should be taken to prevent injury if anyone in the following categories comes in
contact with the steering wheel or seats when the heater is on:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the physically challenged
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (s leeping drugs, cold
remedies, etc.)
●Observe the following precautions to prevent the minor burns or overheating
• Do not cover the seat with a blanket or cushion when using the seat heater.
• Do not use seat heater more than necessary.
NOTICE
●Do not put heavy objects that have an uneven surface on the seat and do not stick
sharp objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
●To prevent battery discharge, do not use the functions when the engine is off.
Heated steering wheel

521
When trouble arises8
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
8-1. Essential informationEmergency flashers................... 522
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an
emergency .................................523 8-2. Steps to take in
an emergency
If your vehicle needs to be towed ........................................... 524
If you think something is wrong ............................................ 531
Fuel pump shut off system .......................................... 532
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds.......................................... 533
If a warning message is displayed..................................... 539
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with a spare
tire) ................................................560
If you have a flat tire (vehicles without a spare
tire) ................................................. 574
If the engine will not start ........ 587
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P............................589
If the electronic key does not operate properly .............590
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................. 593
If your vehicle overheats ......... 597
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................................ 600