engine coolant LEXUS RX450h 2021 User Guide

3736-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
●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 accelera ting or decelerat-
ing frequently
●When leaving the engine idling for a long
time, or when driving frequently through
heavy traffic
■After changing the engine oil
The engine oil maintena nce data should be
reset. Perform the following procedures:
1 Press or of the meter control
switch to select on the multi-infor-
mation display.
2 Press or of the meter control
switch, select the “Vehicle Settings”
then “Oil Maintenance”. (To confirm
setting, press .)
3 Select the “Yes” and press .
4 A message is displayed on the
multi-information display.
■Engine coolant reservoir
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines
on the reservoir when the hybrid sys-
tem 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.454)
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially
harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflamma-
tion and skin cancer, so care should be
taken to avoid prolonged and
repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thor-
oughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a
safe and acceptable manner. Do not
dispose of used oil and filters in house-
hold trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station
or auto parts store for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the
reach 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 re fill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine o il filler cap is prop-
erly tightened.
Checking the coolant
A
B
C

3746-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Power control unit coolant reser-
voir
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines
on the reservoir when the hybrid sys-
tem 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.454)
■Coolant selection
Only use “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.
U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix-
ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Minimum temperature: -31°F
[-35°C])
Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mix-
ture 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/power 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.
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.
A
B
C
WARNING
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the en gine/power control
unit coolant reservoir caps and radiator
cap.
The cooling system may be under pres-
sure and may spray hot coolant if the cap
is removed, causing serious injuries, such
as burns.
NOTICE
■When adding coolant
Coolant is neithe r plain water nor
straight antifreeze. The correct mixture
of water and antifreeze must be used to
provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read
the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to pre-
vent it from damaging parts or paint.
Checking the radiator and con-
denser

4177-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
 Flat-looking tires or uneven tire
wear
 Engine coolant temperature gauge
needle continually points higher
than normal
 Changes in exhaust sound
 Excessive tire squeal when corner-
ing
 Strange noises related to the sus-
pension system
 Pinging or other noises related to
the hybrid system
 Engine missing, stumbling or run-
ning roughly
 Appreciable loss of power
 Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when braking 
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side
when driving on a level road
 Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy
feeling, pedal almost touches the
floor
If you think something is
wrong
If you notice any of the following
symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Con-
tact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms

4187-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Brake system warning light
■Brake system warning light
■High coolant temperature warning light* (warning buzzer)
*: This light illuminates on the multi-information display.
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights comes on or
flashes. If a light comes on or flashes, bu t then goes off, this does not necessar-
ily indicate a malfunction in the system. However, if this continues to occur,
have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Actions to the warning lights or warning buzzers
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(U.S.A.)
or
(red)
(Canada)
Indicates that:
 The brake fluid level is low; or
 The brake system is malfunctioning
 Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your Lexus
dealer. Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
(yellow)
Indicates a malfunction in:
 The regenerative braking system;
 The electronically controlled brake system; or
 The electric parking brake
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer immediately.
Warning lightDetails/Actions
Indicates that the engine coolant temperature is too high
Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Handling method ( P.454)

4317-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
maintenance schedule*.
Comes on approximately 5000 miles
(8000 km) after the message has been
reset. (The indicator will not work properly
unless the message ha s been reset.) Per-
form the necessary maintenance. Please
reset the message after the maintenance is
performed. ( P.362)
*: Refer to the separa te “Scheduled Main-
tenance” or “Owner’s Manual Supple-
ment” for the maintenance interval
applicable to your vehicle.
■If “Oil Maintenance Required Soon” is
displayed
Indicates that the engine oil should be
scheduled to be changed.
Check the engine oil and change it if neces-
sary. After changing the engine oil, make
sure to reset the message. ( P.373)
■If “Oil Maintenance Required” is dis-
played
Indicates that the engine oil should be
changed.
Check and change the en gine oil, and oil fil-
ter by your Lexus deal er. After changing the
engine oil, make sure to reset the message.
(  P.373)
■If a message that in dicates the need for
visiting your Lexus dealer is displayed
The system or part shown on the
multi-information display is malfunctioning.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus
dealer immediately.
■If a message that in dicates the need for
referring to Owner’s Manual is dis-
played
●“Engine Coolant Temp High” is shown on
the multi-information display, follow the
instructions. ( P.454)
●If any of the following messages are
shown on the multi-information display, it
may indicate a malfunction. Have the
vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
• “Access System with Elec. Key Malfunc-
tion”
• “Hybrid System Malfunction” •“Check Engine”
• “Hybrid Battery System Malfunction”
• “Accelerator System Malfunction”
●If any of the following messages are
shown on the multi-info
rmation display, it
may indicate a malfun ction. Immediately
stop the vehicle and contact your Lexus
dealer.
• “Braking Power Low”
• “Charging System Malfunction”
• “Oil Pressure Low”
NOTICE
■If “High Power Consumption Partial
Limit On AC/Heater Operation” is
displayed frequently
There is a possible malfunction relating
to the charging system or the 12-volt bat-
tery may be deteriorating. Have the vehi-
cle inspected by your Lexus dealer.

4547-2. Steps to take in an emergency
“Engine Coolant Temp High Stop in
a Safe Place See Owner’s Manual”
is shown on the multi-information
display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
turn off the air conditioning system,
and then stop the hybrid system.
2 If you see steam:
Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
3 After the hybrid system has cooled
down sufficiently, inspect the hoses
WARNING
●Make sure to replace the 12-volt bat-
tery with one designed for this vehicle.
Otherwise, hydrogen gas may enter
the vehicle, possibly causing a fire or
explosion.
●After replacing, securely attach the
exhaust hose and exhaust hole plug to
the exhaust hole of the replaced
12-volt battery. If not properly installed,
gases (hydrogen) may leak into the
vehicle interior, and there is the possi-
ble danger of the gas igniting and
exploding.
NOTICE
■When handling jumper cables
When connecting the jumper cables,
ensure that they do not become entan-
gled in the cooling fans or belt.
■To prevent damaging the vehicle
The exclusive jump starting terminal is to
be used when charging the 12-volt bat-
tery from another ve hicle in an emer-
gency. It cannot be used to jump start
another vehicle.
If your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that
your vehicle is overheating.
 The needle of the engine coolant
temperature gauge ( P.83)
enters the red zone, or a loss of
hybrid system power is experi-
enced. (For example, the vehicle
speed does not increase.)
 “Engine Coolant Temp High Stop
in a Safe Place See Owner’s
Manual” or “Hybrid System
Overheated Output power
reduced” is shown on the
multi-information display.
 Steam comes out from under the
hood.
Correction procedures

4557-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
and radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks, immedi-
ately contact your Lexus dealer.
4The coolant level is satisfactory if it
is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
Radiator cap
5 Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency if coolant is unavailable.
6
Start the hybrid system and turn the
air conditioning system on to check
that the radiator cooling fans oper-
ate and to check for coolant leaks
from the radiator or hoses.
The fans operate when the air conditioning
system is turned on immediately after a
cold start. Confirm that the fans are oper-
ating by checking the fan sound and air
flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the
air conditioning system on and off repeat-
edly.
(The fans may not oper ate in freezing tem-
peratures.)
7 If the fans are not operating:
Stop the hybrid system immediately
and contact your Lexus dealer.
If the fans are operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest Lexus dealer.
8 Check if “Engine Coolant Temp
High Stop in a Safe Place See
Owner's Manual” is shown on the
multi-information display.
If the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and contact your
Lexus dealer.
If the message is not displayed:
Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest
A
B
A
B
C
D

4567-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Lexus dealer.
If “Hybrid System Overheated Out-
put power reduced” is shown on the
multi-information display
1 Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
2 Stop the hybrid system and care-
fully lift the hood.
3 After the hybrid system has cooled
down, inspect the hoses and radia-
tor core (radiator) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fans
If a large amount of coolant leaks, immedi-
ately contact your Lexus dealer.
4The coolant level is satisfactory if it
is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir.
Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line 5
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emergency if
coolant is unavailable.
6Start the hybrid system and check if
“Hybrid System Overheated Out-
put power reduced” is shown on
the multi-information display.
If the message does not disappear:
Stop the hybrid system and contact
your Lexus dealer.
If the message is not displayed:
Have the vehicle inspected at the
nearest Lexus dealer.
A
B
A
B
C
WARNING
■When inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in serious
injury such as burns.
●If steam is seen coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the
steam has subsided. The engine com-
partment may be very hot.

4577-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
1Stop the hybrid system. Shift the
shift lever to P and set the parking
brake.
2 Remove the mud, snow or sand
from around the front wheels.
3 Place wood, stones or some other
material under the front wheels to
help provide traction.
4 Restart the hybrid system.
5 Shift the shift lever to D or R and
release the parking brake. Then,
while exercising caution, depress
the accelerator pedal.
■When it is difficult to free the vehicle
Press to turn off TRAC.
WARNING
●After the hybrid system has been
turned off, check that the “READY”
indicator is off.
When the hybrid system is operating,
the gasoline engine may automatically
start, or the cooling fans may suddenly
operate even if the gasoline engine
stops. Do not touch or approach rotat-
ing parts such as the fans, which may
lead to fingers or cl othing (especially a
tie, a scarf or a muffler) getting caught,
resulting in serious injury.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap and the
coolant reservoir caps while the hybrid
system and radiator are hot.
High temperature steam or coolant
could spray out.
NOTICE
■When adding engine/power control
unit coolant
Add coolant slowly after the hybrid sys-
tem has cooled down sufficiently. Adding
cool coolant to a hot hybrid system too
quickly can cause damage to the hybrid
system.
■To prevent damage to the cooling sys-
tem
Observe the following precautions:
●Avoid contaminating the coolant with
foreign matter (such as sand or dust,
etc.).
●Do not use any coolant additive.
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Carry out the following proce-
dures if the tires spin or the vehicle
becomes stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Recovering procedure

4648-1. Specifications
*: The coolant capacity is a reference quantity.If replacement is necessary, contact your Lexus dealer.
Cooling system
Capacity*
Gasoline
engine
RX450h (Vehicles with out towing package)
10.3 qt. (9.8 L, 8.6 Imp. qt.)
RX450h (Vehicles with towing package)
10.7 qt. (10.1 L, 8.9 Imp. qt.)
RX450hL
13.2 qt. (12.5 L, 11 Imp. qt.)
Power con-
trol unit2.0 qt. (1.9 L, 1.7 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type
Use either of the following:
 “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
 Similar high-quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid orga nic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone.
Ignition system (spark plug)
MakeDENSO FK20HBR8
Gap0.03 in. (0.8 mm)
NOTICE
■Iridium-tipped spark plugs
Use only iridium-tipped spark plugs. Do not adjust the spark plug gap.