check engine LEXUS RX350 2012 Owners Manual

IntroductionThe Impor T ance of Scheduled m a I n T enance
MAINTENANCE
39Regular maintenance is essential to
obtaining the highest level of per -
formance, safety and reliability from
your Lexus. It can also enhance your
vehicle’s resale value. This section of
the Warranty and Services Guide is
designed to help you make sure your
vehicle receives proper and timely
maintenance. It includes factory-rec -
ommended maintenance guidelines
as well as logs in which to document
your vehicle’s maintenance history.
In addition to scheduled maintenance,
your Lexus requires ongoing general
maintenance such as fluid checks and
visual inspections. These procedures
are listed on pages 42–43 of this
booklet and described in detail in
the “Maintenance” section of the
Owner’s Manual . It is especially important to check
your vehicle’s engine oil once a
month and to regularly replace the
engine oil and oil filter. f ailure to
do so can cause oil starvation and/
or oil gelling, which can result in
severe damage to your vehicle
and require costly repairs that are
not covered by the n ew Vehicle
l imited Warranty.
With proper maintenance and care,
your vehicle will last longer and
deliver more dependable, economical
performance. Follow this booklet’s
recommendations and you’ll enjoy
maximum reliability and peace of
mind from your Lexus for many years
to come.

Introductiong eneral m a I n T enance and r egular uS e
MAINTENANCE42 In addition to scheduled maintenance,
your Lexus requires ongoing general
maintenance such as fluid checks and
visual inspections. The recommended
guidelines for inspections are listed
below. Please refer to the “Mainte-
nance” section of the Owner’s Manual
for a detailed description of inspection
procedures.
Every 30 Days At least once every 30 days, perform
these inspections:
• Check engine oil level using
the dipstick
• Visually check engine coolant
level on the see - t hrough reservoir
• Visually check brake fluid level
on the see-through reservoir
• Visually check condition
of battery
• Check level of windshield
washer fluid
• Check tire pressure
• Check tires for damage
and wear
• Check installation of driver’s
floor mat After a Car Wash • Check installation of driver’s
floor mat
After Off-Road Driving Whenever you drive off-road through
deep sand, mud or water, perform
these inspections daily:
• Check axle shaft boots
• Check ball joints and dust covers
• Check brake lines and hoses
• Check brake pads/rotors and
parking brake linings/drums
• Check differential oil
• Check engine air filter
• Check nuts and bolts on chassis
• Check steering linkage
and boots
• Check transfer case oil
(AWD models)
• Check transmission for
signs of leakage

Scheduled Maintenance LogComplimentary Second
Scheduled Maintenance
Service: 12 Months or
10,000 Miles Lexus also provides your second
scheduled maintenance service at no
charge. The service is performed at
12 months or 10,000 miles, whichever
occurs first. To obtain this service,
contact your Lexus dealership. Your
complimentary service will include
these items:
• Replace engine oil with 0W-20
oil; replace oil filter
• Reset maintenance
reminder light
• Rotate tires
• Visually inspect brake pads,
calipers and rotors
• Check installation of driver’s
floor mat
• Inspect wiper blades
• Road-test vehicle
If you do the majority of your driving
under certain special operating con -
ditions, additional items are included
in this service. See the “12 Months or
10,000 Miles” chart on page 48.Scheduled m a I n T enance l og
MAINTENANCE46

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE Scheduled Maintenance Log48 6 Months or 5,000 Miles 1
12 Months or 10,000 Miles 2
❑ Replace engine oil with 0W-20 oil; replace
oil filter
❑ Reset maintenance reminder light
❑ Rotate tires
❑ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❑ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Inspect wiper blades
❑ Road-test vehicle
I f you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❑ Inspect axle shaft boots
❑ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❑ Inspect engine air filter
❑ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❑ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❑ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❑ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❑ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❑ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
d ate: _______ Mileage: ________
1
This service, excluding maintenance required for special operating conditions, is complimentary when performed by an
authorized Lexus dealership.
2
This service is complimentary when performed by an authorized Lexus dealership.❑ Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
❑ Program Lexus Personalized Settings,
if requested
❑ Reset maintenance reminder light
❑ Rotate tires
❑ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❑ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Inspect wiper blades
❑ Road-test vehicle
Note: If you drive primarily under certain special
operating conditions, you should also replace
the engine oil with 0W-20 oil and replace the
oil filter. See page 44 for conditions that apply.
Some conditions require additional maintenance.
See below.
I f you drive primarily under any of

these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❑ Inspect axle shaft boots
❑ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❑ Inspect engine air filter
❑ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❑ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❑ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❑ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❑ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❑ R e-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
d ate: _______ Mileage: ________

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE
Scheduled Maintenance Log 4918 Months or 15,000 Miles❑ Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
❑ Replace Smart Key battery
❑ Reset maintenance reminder light
❑ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❑ Rotate tires
❑ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❑ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Road-test vehicle
❑ Inspect the following:
__ Axle shaft boots
__ Ball joints and dust covers
__ Body
__ Brake lines and hoses
__ Engine coolant (see page 70)
__ Exhaust pipes and mountings
Note: If 0W-20 oil was not used at last oil change, or if you drive primarily under certain special operat
-
ing conditions, you should also replace the engine oil with 0W-20 oil and replace the oil filter. See page
44 for conditions that apply
. Some conditions require additional maintenance. See below.
I f you drive primarily under any of these special operating conditions, perform
these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on dusty roads:
❑ Inspect engine air filter
❑ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading:
❑ Replace rear differential oil (AWD)
❑ Replace transfer case oil (AWD)
❑ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis __ Rack-and-pinion assembly
__ Rear differential oil (AWD)
__ Steering linkage and boots
__ Transfer case oil (AWD)
__ Wiper blades
d ate: __________________________ Mileage: __________________________

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE Scheduled Maintenance Log50 24 Months or 20,000 Miles❏ Replace engine oil with 0W-20 oil; replace
oil filter
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❏ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
I f you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❏ Inspect axle shaft boots
❏ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD) 30 Months or 25,000 Miles
d ate: _______ Mileage: ________ d ate: _______ Mileage: ________❏ Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❏ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
No te: If 0W-20 oil was not used at last oil
change, or if you drive primarily under certain
special operating conditions, you should also
r
eplace the engine oil with 0W-20 oil and
replace the oil filter. See page 44 for conditions
that apply. Some conditions require additional
maintenance. See belo
w.
I f you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❏ Inspect axle shaft boots
❏ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE
Scheduled Maintenance Log 5136 Months or 30,000 Miles❏ Replace engine oil with 0W-20 oil; replace oil filter
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Replace cabin air filter
❏ Replace brake fluid
❏ Replace engine air filter
❏ Inspect the following:
__ Axle shaft boots
__ Ball joints and dust covers
__ Body
__ Brake lines and hoses
__ Brake rotor thickness and runout
__ Engine coolant (see page 70)
__ Exhaust pipes and mountings
__ Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band
and fuel t ank vapor vent system hoses
I f you drive primarily under any of these special operating conditions, perform

these additional items:
D riving off-road, on dirt roads or on dusty roads:
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Replace rear differential oil (AWD)
❏ Replace transfer case oil (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis __ Fuel tank cap gasket
__ Rack-and-pinion assembly
__ Rear differential oil (AWD)
__ Steering linkage and boots
__ Transfer case oil (AWD)
__ Transmission for signs of leakage
__ Wiper blades❏ Replace Smart Key battery
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers
and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❏ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
d ate: __________________________ Mileage: __________________________

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE Scheduled Maintenance Log52 42 Months or 35,000 Miles 48 Months or 40,000 Miles❏ Replace engine oil with 0W-20 oil; replace
oil filter
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
I f you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❏ Inspect axle shaft boots
❏ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
d ate: _______ Mileage: ________ d ate: _______ Mileage: ________❏ Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
No te: If 0W-20 oil was not used at last oil
change, or if you drive primarily under certain
special operating conditions, you should also
r
eplace the engine oil with 0W-20 oil and
replace the oil filter. See page 44 for conditions
that apply. Some conditions require additional
maintenance. See belo
w.
I f you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❏ Inspect axle shaft boots
❏ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE
Scheduled Maintenance Log 5354 Months or 45,000 Miles❏ Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
❏ Replace Smart Key battery
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❏ Road-test vehicle
❏ Inspect the following:
__ Axle shaft boots
__ Ball joints and dust covers
__ Body
__ Brake lines and hoses
__ Engine coolant (see page 70)
__ Exhaust pipes and mountings
Note: If 0W-20 oil was not used at last oil change, or if you drive primarily under certain special operat
-
ing conditions, you should also replace the engine oil with 0W-20 oil and replace the oil filter. See page
44 for conditions that apply
. Some conditions require additional maintenance. See below.
I f you drive primarily under any of these special operating conditions, perform
these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on dusty roads:
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Replace rear differential oil (AWD)
❏ Replace transfer case oil (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis __ Rack-and-pinion assembly
__ Rear differential oil (AWD)
__ Steering linkage and boots
__ Transfer case oil (AWD)
__ Wiper blades
d ate: __________________________ Mileage: __________________________

Scheduled Maintenance l og
MAINTENANCE Scheduled Maintenance Log54 60 Months or 50,000 Miles❏ Replace engine oil with 0W-20 oil; replace
oil filter
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
I f you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❏ Inspect axle shaft boots
❏ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD) 66 Months or 55,000 Miles
d ate: _______ Mileage: ________ d ate: _______ Mileage: ________❏ Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
❏ Reset maintenance reminder light
❏ Rotate tires
❏ Visually inspect brake pads, calipers and rotors
❏ Check installation of driver’s floor mat
❑ Inspect wiper blades
❏ Road-test vehicle
No te: If 0W-20 oil was not used at last oil
change, or if you drive primarily under certain
special operating conditions, you should also
r
eplace the engine oil with 0W-20 oil and
replace the oil filter. See page 44 for conditions
that apply. Some conditions require additional
maintenance. See belo
w.
If you drive primarily under any of
these special operating conditions,
perform these additional items:
D
riving off-road, on dirt roads or on
dusty roads:
❏ Inspect axle shaft boots
❏ Inspect ball joints and dust covers
❏ Inspect engine air filter
❏ Inspect steering linkage and boots
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Towing a trailer, using a car-top carrier
or heavy vehicle loading:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)
❏ Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis
Driving on roads on which road salt has
been applied:
❏ Re-torque nuts and bolts of drive shaft (AWD)