LEXUS RX450h 2016 Owners Manual

471
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 6
Maintenance and care 6-3. 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
12-volt battery con-
dition (  P. 4 8 3 ) •Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(  P. 4 8 1 ) • FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power con-
trol unit coolant level
(  P. 4 7 9 ) • “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 coolant)
Engine oil level
(  P. 4 76 ) • “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (  P. 5 0 8 ) • Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Headlight aim
*
(  P. 511) • Phillips-head screwdriver
Light bulbs
(  P. 5 1 3 ) • Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
•Flathead screwdriver •Wrench
Radiator and con-
denser (  P. 4 8 0 ) 
Tire inflation pres-
sure (  P. 4 9 6 ) • Tire pressure gauge • Compressed air source

472 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX450h_U_OM0E013U * : Vehicles with sing le-beam headlightsWa s h e r f l u i d
(  P. 4 8 2 ) • 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 ●
Make sure that the indicator on the power switch and the “READY” indicator are
both off. ●
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.●
Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, 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. Fuel fumes are flamma-
ble. ■
When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to
run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. (  P. 4 8 0 )■
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

4736-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U Pull the hood lock release lever. The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch lever and
lift the hood.Hood Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood. 1
2
WA R N I N G ■
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.

474 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ◆ Front
◆ RearPositioning a floor jack When using a floor jack, follow the instructions in the manual provided with
the jack and perform the operation safely.
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack correctly.
Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.

4756-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
12-volt battery
 P. 4 8 3Engine compartment
Wa s h e r f l u i d t a n k (  P. 4 8 2 )
Brake fluid reservoir (  P. 4 8 1 )
Engine oil level dipstick
(  P. 4 76 )
Engine coolant reservoir
(  P. 4 7 9 )
Power control unit coolant reservoir
(  P. 4 7 9 ) Fuse boxes (  P. 5 0 8 )
Radiator (  P. 4 8 0 )
Power control unit coolant
radiator (  P. 4 8 0 )
Condenser (  P. 4 8 0 )
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil filler cap (  P. 4 7 7 )1
2
3
4
5 6
7
8
9
10
11

476 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 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 hybrid system, 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

4776-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
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. 5 8 6
Oil quantity (Low  Full) 1.9 qt. (1.8 L, 1.6 Imp. qt.)
Items Clean funnel1
2
3

478 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX450h_U_OM0E013U ■
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. 1 0 9 )
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

4796-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
RX450h_U_OM0E013U The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir when the hybrid system 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. 5 74 )
■
Power control unit 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. 5 74 )■
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/p ower control unit coolant reservoir caps,
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
1
2
3

480 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX450h_U_OM0E013U 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. WA R N I N G ■
When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps 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.
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 hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause serious injuries,
such as burns.