LEXUS GS 300 (2019 year). Instruction

360

Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior

●

Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle body, wheel
wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any dirt and dust.

●

Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a chamois.

●

For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thoroughly with
water.

●

Wipe away any water.

●

Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.

If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle body is cool.

■

CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) part (GS F)
CFRP is used for the parts shown in the illustration.

■

Self-restoring coat

The vehicle body has a self-restoring coating that is resistant to small surface scratches

caused in a car wash etc.

●

The coating lasts for 5 to 8 years from when the vehicle is delivered from the plant.

●

The restoration time differs depending on the depth of the scratch and outside tem-

perature. The restoration time may become shorter when the coating is warmed by

applying warm water.

●

Deep scratches caused by keys, coins, etc. cannot be restored.

●

Do not use wax that contain abrasives.

: CFRP parts (GS F) do not have a self-restoring coat.

Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime condi-
tion:

●

As the CFRP parts may change color if they

are exposed to ultraviolet rays for extended

periods of time, Lexus recommends that your

vehicle be stored in a place where it will not be

exposed to direct sunlight.

●

Do not use wax that contains abrasives.

●

CFRP parts may get scratched when using an

automatic car wash.

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Automatic car washes

●

Fold the mirrors before washing the vehicle. Start washing from the front of the vehicle.

Make sure to extend the mirrors before driving.

●

Brushes used in automatic car washes may scratch the vehicle surface and harm your

vehicle’s paint.

●

Rear spoiler (if equipped) may not be washable in some automatic car washes. There

may also be an increased risk of damage to vehicle.

■

High-pressure car washes

●

Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity of the windows.

●

Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler door on your vehicle is closed prop-

erly.

■

Notes for a smart access system with push-button start
If the door handle becomes wet while the electronic key is within the effective range, the

door may lock and unlock repeatedly. In that case, follow the following correction proce-

dures to wash the vehicle:

●

Place the key in a position 6 ft. (2 m) or more separate from the vehicle while the vehi-

cle is being washed. (Take care to ensure that the key is not stolen.)

●

Set the electronic key to battery-saving mode to disable the smart access system with

push-button start. (

P. 158)

■

Aluminum wheels

●

Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent.

●

Wash detergent off with water immediately after use.

●

To protect the paint from damage, make sure to observe the following precautions.
• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive detergent

• Do not use hard brushes

• Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, such as after driving or park-

ing in hot weather

■

Brake

●

Brake caliper coating (GS350/GS300 with orange brake calipers for F SPORT mod-

els, and GS F)
• When using detergent, use neutral detergent.

Do not use hard brushes or abrasive cleaners, as they will damage the coating.

• Do not use detergent on the brake calipers when they are hot.

• Wash detergent off immediately after use.

●

GS F: Rust may form if the vehicle is parked with wet brake pads or disc rotors, causing

them to stick. Before parking the vehicle after it is washed, drive slowly and apply the

brakes several times to dry the parts.

■

Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.

362

6-1. Maintenance and care

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Front side windows water-repellent coating (if equipped)

●

The following precautions can extend the effectiveness of the water-repellent coating.
• Remove any dirt, etc. from the front side windows regularly.

• Do not allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the windows for a long period.

Clean the windows with a soft, damp cloth as soon as possible.

• Do not use wax or glass cleaners that contain abrasives when cleaning the windows.

• Do not use any metallic objects to remove condensation build up.

●

When the water-repellent performance has become insufficient, the coating can be

repaired. Contact your Lexus dealer.

WARNING

■

When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may cause the

electrical components etc. to catch fire.

■

When cleaning the windshield (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)

●

When the upper part of the windshield where the raindrop sensor is located is

touched by hand

●

When a wet rag or similar is held close to the raindrop sensor

●

If something bumps against the windshield

●

If you directly touch the raindrop sensor body or if something bumps into the raindrop

sensor

■

Precautions regarding the exhaust pipes and rear bumper diffusers
Exhaust gases cause the exhaust pipes and rear bumper diffusers to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipes and rear bumper diffusers

until they have cooled sufficiently, as touching hot exhaust pipes and rear bumper dif-

fusers can cause burns.

■

Precaution regarding the rear bumper with Blind Spot Monitor (if equipped)
If the paint of the rear bumper is chipped or scratched, the system may malfunction. If

this occurs, consult your Lexus dealer.

Turn off AUTO mode of the wiper to prevent

the wiper from operating. (

P. 229)

If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers may

operate unexpectedly in the following situa-

tions, and may result in hands being caught or

other serious injuries and cause damage to the

wiper blades.

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NOTICE

■

Application of coatings to the vehicle body (GS F)
Do not apply any kind of coating to the vehicle body as doing so may damage the paint

or reduce its durability.

■

To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components (aluminum

wheels etc.)

●

Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast

• After driving on salted roads

• If coal tar, pollen or tree sap is present on the paint surface

• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the paint surface

• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron pow-

der or chemical substances

• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud

• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface

●

If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.

●

To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place with low

humidity when storing the wheels.

■

Cleaning the exterior lights

●

Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.

This may damage the surfaces of the lights.

●

Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.

Wax may cause damage to the lenses.

■

When using an automatic car wash (vehicles with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
Turn off AUTO mode of the wiper to prevent the wiper from operating. (

P. 229)

If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers may operate and the wiper blades may be dam-

aged.

■

When using a high-pressure car wash

●

When washing the vehicle, do not let water from the high-pressure washer directly hit

the camera or the area around the camera. Due to the shock from high-pressure

water, it is possible that the device may not operate normally.

●

Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured cover), con-

nectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they come into contact

with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts

• Suspension parts

• Steering parts

• Brake parts

●

GS F: Do not point the nozzle of a high pres-

sure washer at the areas shown in the illustra-

tion, as high pressure water may damage the

oil coolers.

364

6-1. Maintenance and care

Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior

●

Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty surfaces with a cloth
dampened with lukewarm water.

●

If dirt cannot be removed, wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with neutral
detergent diluted to approximately 1%.
Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off remaining
traces of detergent and water.

●

Remove dirt using a soft cloth or synthetic chamois dampened in a baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate) solution.

Use a solution of approximately 9% baking soda dissolved in water.

●

Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.

●

Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.

●

Wipe off any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with diluted
detergent.

Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool detergent.

●

Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off all remain-
ing traces of detergent.

●

Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
Allow the leather to dry in a shaded and ventilated area.

●

Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.

●

Wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with neutral detergent diluted to
approximately 1%.

●

Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off remaining
traces of detergent and water.

The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior and keep it
in top condition:

Protecting the vehicle interior

Cleaning the areas with satin-finish metal accents

Cleaning the leather areas

Cleaning the synthetic leather areas

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●

Brush the surfaces using a soft brush.

Do not brush hard as doing so may cause damage.

●

Wipe the surfaces clean with a soft cloth that has been dampened in cold or
lukewarm water and squeezed out.

●

Allow the artificial leather (Alcantara

*) to dry in a shaded and ventilated

area.

: “Alcantara

” is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A.

■

Caring for leather areas
Lexus recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to maintain

the quality of the vehicle’s interior.

■

Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge or brush to

apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water. Wipe dirty surfaces and let

them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible.

■

Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also check the belts

periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.

■

When cleaning the carpeted portions of the glove box, console box, etc.
If a strong adhesive tape is used, there is a possibility that the surface of the carpet could

be damaged.

Cleaning the artificial leather (Alcantara

*) areas

WARNING

■

Water in the vehicle

●

Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.

Doing so may cause electrical components, etc. to malfunction or catch fire.

●

Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet. (

P. 43)

An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function properly,

resulting in death or serious injury.

■

Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off the wind-

shield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident, resulting in death or

serious injury.

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6-1. Maintenance and care

NOTICE

■

Cleaning detergents

●

Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehicle interior

or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline, alkaline or

acidic solutions, dye, and bleach

• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alcohol

●

Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other interior part’s

painted surface may be damaged.

■

Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of leather

surfaces:

●

Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.

●

Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Park the

vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.

●

Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the upholstery, as they

may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats up significantly.

■

Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.

Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes into contact

with electrical components such as the audio system above or under the floor of the

vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.

■

When cleaning the inside of the windshield (vehicles with Lexus Safety System +)
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens. (

P. 241)

■

Cleaning the inside of the rear window

●

Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause damage to the

rear window defogger heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth dampened with luke-

warm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in strokes running

parallel to the heater wires or antenna.

●

Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.

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Maintenance requirements

General maintenance should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by
yourself or by a Lexus dealer.

Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals according to
the maintenance schedule.

For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Warranty and Ser-

vice Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Scheduled Maintenance”.

You can perform some maintenance procedures by yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect warranty coverage.

The use of Lexus repair manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, refer to the separate “Owner’s Guide”, “War-

ranty and Service Guide”, “Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.

■

Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts be used for repairs to ensure performance

of each system. If non-Lexus parts are used in replacement or if a repair shop other than

a Lexus dealer performs repairs, confirm the warranty coverage.

To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular mainte-
nance are essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform regular checks.
Lexus recommends the following maintenance:

General maintenance

Scheduled maintenance

Do-it-yourself maintenance

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6-2. Maintenance

■

Resetting the message indicating maintenance is required (U.S.A. only)
After the required maintenance is performed according to the maintenance schedule,

please reset the message.

To reset the message, follow the procedure described below:

Press

of the meter control switch and select

Press

of the meter control switch and select “Vehicle Settings”. Then press

Press

of the meter control switch and select “Scheduled Maintenance”.

Then press .
Select “Yes” and press .

■

Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a Lexus dealer

●

Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with the latest ser-

vice information. They are well informed about the operations of all systems on your

vehicle.

●

Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has been per-

formed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise while your vehicle is

under warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it.

A message is displayed on the multi-informa-

tion display.

WARNING

■

If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible

death or serious injury.

■

Handling of the battery

●

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile compo-

nents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and

birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.

●

Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by component

wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and

birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash any affected area

immediately.

●

Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds

which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after handling. (

P. 392)

4
5

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General maintenance

Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed at
the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Service Guide” or “Owner’s
Manual Supplement”. It is recommended that any problem you notice should
be brought to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service shop for
advice.

Engine compartment

Items

Check points

Battery

Check the battery fluid level and connections.

(

P. 392)

Brake fluid

Is the brake fluid at the correct level? (

P. 391)

Engine coolant

Is the engine coolant at the correct level?

(

P. 388)

Engine oil

Is the engine oil at the correct level? (

P. 383)

Exhaust system

There should not be any fumes or strange sounds.

Radiator/condenser

The radiator and condenser should be free from for-

eign objects. (

P. 390)

Washer fluid

Is there sufficient washer fluid? (

P. 394)

370

6-2. Maintenance

: Vehicles with single-beam headlights

Vehicle interior

Items

Check points

Accelerator pedal

• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly

(without uneven pedal effort or catching).

Automatic transmission “Park”

mechanism

• When parked on a slope and the shift lever is in P,

is the vehicle securely stopped?

Brake pedal

• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?

• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clearance

from the floor? (

P. 531)

• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of

free play? (

P. 531)

Brakes

• The vehicle should not pull to one side when the

brakes are applied.

• The brakes should work effectively.

• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.

• The brake pedal should not get too close to the

floor when the brakes are applied.

Head restraints

• Do the head restraints move smoothly and lock

securely?

Indicators/buzzers

• Do the indicators and buzzers function properly?

Lights

• Do all the lights come on?

• Are the headlights aimed correctly?

(

P. 418)

Parking brake

• Moves smoothly?

• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is

on, is the vehicle securely stopped?

Seat belts

• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?

• The seat belts should not be damaged.

Seats

• Do the seat controls operate properly?

Steering wheel

• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?

• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount

of free play?

• There should not be any strange sounds coming

from the steering wheel.

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Vehicle exterior

Items

Check points

Doors/trunk

• Do the doors/trunk operate smoothly?

Engine hood

• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-

erly?

Fluid leaks

• There should not be any signs of fluid leakage

after the vehicle has been parked.

Tires

• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?

• The tires should not be damaged or excessively

worn.

• Have the tires been rotated according to the

maintenance schedule?

• The wheel nuts should not be loose.

Windshield wipers

• The wiper blades should not show any signs of

cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or defor-

mation.

• The wiper blades should clear the windshield

without streaking or skipping.

WARNING

■

If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing

maintenance checks.

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6-2. Maintenance

Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs

The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the emission
control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and may need to be
repaired. Contact your Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.

●

When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may not be com-
pletely set.

●

When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary malfunction
and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.

The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehicle is driven
40 or more times.

Contact your Lexus dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.

Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which include OBD
(On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system monitors the operation of
the emission control system.

If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on

Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:

When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after several driv-
ing trips

If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test

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Do-it-yourself service precautions

: Vehicles with single-beam headlights

If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure as given in these sections.

Items

Parts and tools

Battery condition

(

P. 392)

• Warm water

• Baking soda

• Grease

• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)

Brake fluid level

(

P. 391)

• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)

Engine/intercooler

coolant level

(

P. 388)

• “

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. 383)

• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)

Fuses (

P. 414)

• Fuse with same amperage rating as original

Headlight aim

(

P. 418)

• Phillips-head screwdriver

Light bulbs

(

P. 420)

• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver

• Flathead screwdriver

• Wrench

Radiator and con-

denser (

P. 390)



Tire inflation pres-

sure (

P. 405)

• Tire pressure gauge

• Compressed air source

Washer fluid

(

P. 394)

• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

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 cautious 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. 390)

■

Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling 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.

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Hood

Pull the hood lock release lever.

The hood will pop up slightly.

Pull up the auxiliary catch lever and
lift the hood.

Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.

WARNING

■

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.

LEXUS GS 300 (2019 year). Instruction - part 23