engine LEXUS RX350 2016 Owners Manual

568 7-2. Maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90U Vehicle exterior Items Check points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood • Does the engine hood lock system work properly?
Fluid leaks • There should not be any si gns of fluid leakage after
the vehicle has been parked.
Ti r e s • Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or excessively
worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the mainte-
nance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/
rear window wiper • The wiper blades should no t show any signs of crack-
ing, splitting, wear, contamination or deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/rear
window without streaking or skipping.
WA R N I N G ■
If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing
maintenance checks.

570
RX350_U_OM48E90U 7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure as given in these sections. Items Pa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition
(  P. 5 8 1 ) •Warm water • Baking soda •Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(  P. 5 8 0 ) • FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine coolant level
(  P. 5 7 8 ) • “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
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota 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 engine coolant)
Engine oil level
(  P. 5 7 5 ) • “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (  P. 6 0 5 ) • Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Headlight aim
*(  P. 6 0 8 ) • Phillips-head screwdriver
Light bulbs
(  P. 6 1 0 ) • Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
•Flathead screwdriver •Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser (  P. 5 7 9 ) 

5717-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U * : Vehicles with sing le-beam headlightsTire inflation pres-
sure (  P. 5 9 3 ) • Tire pressure gauge • Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d
(  P. 5 8 3 ) • Water or washer fluid containi ng antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
WA R N I N G
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move suddenly,
become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury, observe
the following precautions. ■
When working on the engine compartment ●
Keep hands, clothing 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 corro-
sive sulfuric acid. ■
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is off.
With the engine switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high.
(  P. 5 7 9 ) ■
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or fallin g material, fluid spray, etc. from getting 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. Items Pa r t s a n d t o o l s

574 7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90UEngine compartment
Wa s h e r f l u i d t a n k (  P. 5 8 3 )
Engine oil filler cap (  P. 5 76 )
Engine oil level dipstick
(  P. 5 7 5 )
Engine coolant reservoir
(  P. 5 7 8 ) Battery (  P. 5 8 1 )
Brake fluid reservoir (  P. 5 8 0 )
Fuse box (  P. 6 0 5 )
Radiator (  P. 5 7 9 )
Condenser (  P. 5 7 9 )
Electric cooling fans1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
9
10

5757-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U With the engine at operating temperatur e and turned off, check the oil level on
the dipstick. ■
Checking the engine oil
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.
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out and check the oil
level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick may dif-
fer depending on the type of vehi-
cle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.Engine oil 1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
6

576 7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
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.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before adding
oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it coun terclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise. ■
Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consum ed while driving. In th e following situations,
oil consumption may increase, and engine o il 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 de celerating frequently●
When leaving the engi ne idling for a long time, or when driving frequently through
heavy trafficEngine oil selection  P. 6 7 7
Oil quantity (Low  Full) 1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel1
2
3

5777-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U ■
After changing the engine oil
The engine oil maintenance da ta should be reset. Perform the following procedures:
Select on the multi-information display. (  P. 9 6 )
Press or of the meter control switch, select the “Oil Maintenance” screen and
then press and hold the .
Select the “Yes” and push .
A message is displayed on the multi-information display.
WA R N I N G ■
Used engine oil ●
Used engine oil contains potentially harm ful contaminants which may cause skin dis-
orders such as inflammation and skin canc er, so care should be taken to avoid pro-
longed and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water. ●
Dispose of used oil and filters only in a sa fe and acceptable manner. Do not dispose of
used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground. Call your Lexus
dealer, service station or auto parts store for information concerning recycling or dis-
posal. ●
Do not leave used engine oil within the reac h 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 oil filler cap is properly tightened. 1
2
3
4

578 7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350_U_OM48E90U The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line If the level is on or below the “LOW”
line, add coolant up to the “FULL”
line. (  P. 668)■
Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high qu ality 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 mixt ure of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
(Minimum temperature: -31  F [-35  C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixt ure 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.Coolant 1
2
3
WA R N I N G ■
When the engine is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant reservoir cap and radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the cap is
removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.

5797-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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. 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.
Radiator and condenser WA R N I N G ■
When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious injuries,
such as burns.

5817-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RX350_U_OM48E90U 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.
Te r m i n a l s
Hold-down clamp ■
Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive.
Therefore, observe the following precautions 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 charger is off when connecting and disconnecting
the charger cables to the battery. ■
After recharging/reconnecting the battery ●
The engine may not start. Follow the pr ocedure below to initialize the system.
Shift the shift lever to P.
Open and close any of the doors.
Restart the engine.●
Unlocking the doors using the smart access system with push-button start may not be
possible immediately after reconnecting the battery. If this happens, use the wireless
remote control or the mechanical key to lock/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 normally from
the second attempt. ●
The engine switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the battery is reconnected, the
vehicle will return the engine switch mode to the status it was in before the battery was
disconnected. Make sure to turn off the power before disconnect the battery. Take
extra care when connecting the battery if the engine switch mode prior to discharge is
unknown.
If the system will not start even after multiple attempts at all methods above, contact your
Lexus dealer.Battery 1
2
1
2
3