1992 Lexus ES300 Maintenance

SECTION 5
137
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance requirements138 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing?142 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scheduled maintenance143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MAINTENANCE
138
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Your Lexus vehicle has been designed to have fewer
maintenance requirements with longer service intervals to
save both your time and money. However, each regular
maintenance as well as day-to-day care is more important than
ever before to ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe, and
economical driving.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance, including general maintenance services, is
performed. Note that both the new vehicle and emission
control system warranties specify that proper maintenance
and care must be performed. See Owner’s Guide or Warranty
Booklet for complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those day-to-day care
practices that are important to your vehicle for proper
operation. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that the
general maintenance items are performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself or
your Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in this part are those
required in servicing at regular intervals.However, under severe driving conditions, a separate
maintenance schedule that requires more frequent
maintenance service should be practiced
It is recommended that any replacement part used for
maintenance or for the repair of the emission control
system be Lexus supplied.
The owner may elect to use non-Lexus supplied parts for
replacement purposes without invalidating the emission
control system warranty. However, use of replacement
parts which are not of equivalent quality may impair the
effectiveness of the emission control system.
You may also elect to have maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control devices and system
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual without invalidating this warranty. See Owner’s
Guide or Warranty Booklet for complete warranty
information.
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up
to date with the latest service information through technical
bulletins, service tips, and in-dealership training programs.
They are well informed about the operation of all the systems
on your vehicle.

MAINTENANCE
139 You can be confident that your Lexus dealer’s service
department performs the best job to meet the maintenance
requirements of your vehicle.
Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required
maintenance has been performed for warranty coverage. And
if any problems should arise with your vehicle while under
warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it. Again,
be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service
performed on your Lexus.
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself, if you
have a little mechanical ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to perform them are
presented in Section 6.
If you are a skilled do-it-yourself mechanic, the Lexus service
manuals are recommended. Please be aware that
do-it-yourself maintenance can affect your warranty coverage.
See your Owner’s Guide or Warranty Booklet for the details.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified. It is recommended that
any problem you notice be brought to the attention of your
Lexus dealer or qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION:
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to time,
unless otherwise specified.
Tires
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at least
once a month and adjust as shown on the tire pressure label.
Check carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear. See page
182 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.

MAINTENANCE
140Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 183
for additional information.
Windshield wiper blades
Check for wear or cracks whenever they do not wipe clean.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after
the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly and
all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood
secondary latch still secures the hood when the primary latch
is released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are all working. Check headlight aim.Warning lights and buzzers
Check that all warning lights and buzzers function properly.
Horn
Make sure it works.
Windshield glass
Check that it is free from scratches, pits or abrasions.
Windshield wipers and washer
Check operation of the wipers and washer. Make sure the
wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster
Check that air comes out the defroster outlet when operating
the air conditioner
Rear view mirror
Make sure it is mounted securely.
Sun visors
Make sure they move freely and are mounted securely.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. See page 180 for
additional information. Be alert for changes in steering
condition, such as hard steering, excessive freeplay or strange
noise.

MAINTENANCE
141 Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in any position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal effort
or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper freeplay.
See page 176 for additional information.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster function, See
page 177 for additional information.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on an
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied. See page 178 for additional information.Automatic transmission “Park” mechanism
Check the lock release button of the selector lever for proper
and smooth operation. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in “P” position
and all brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time,
e.g. each time when refueling.
Windshield washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 202 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the see-through reservoir. See page 169 for additional
information.
Radiator and hoses
Make sure the front of the radiator is clean and not blocked with
leaves, dirt or bugs. Check the hoses for cracks, kinks, rot and
loose connections
Battery electrolyte level
Check that the electrolyte level of all battery cells is between
upper and lower level lines on the case. Add only distilled water
when replenishing. See page 194 for additional information.

MAINTENANCE
142Brake and clutch fluid levels
Make sure the brake and clutch fluid levels are correct. See
page 176 for additional information.
Engine drive belts
Check all belts for fraying, cracks, wear or oiliness.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 168 for additional
information
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in
the “HOT” or “COLD” range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 179 for additional information.
Automatic transmission fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine idling and the
selector lever in “P”. The level should be in the “HOT” or
“COOL” range according to the fluid temperature. See page
181 for additional information.
Exhaust system
Look for cracks, holes and loose supports. If you notice any
change in the sound of the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes,
have the cause located and corrected immediately. (See
engine exhaust cautions in Section 3-1.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED
REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance, sounds, and visual
tip-offs that indicate service is needed. Some important clues
are as follows:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from
the air conditioner after use is normal.)

Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous
carbon monoxide leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked immediately.)

Flat-looking tire; excessive tire squeal when cornering;
uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level
road

Strange noises related to suspension movement

Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy feeling brake or clutch
pedal; pedal almost touches floor: vehicle pulls to one side
when braking

Engine temperature continually higher than normal

MAINTENANCE
143 If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION:
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It
could result in serious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Driving conditions under which you mainly operate your
vehicle determine which maintenance schedule you
follow.
In order to ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and economical
driving, Lexus provides two maintenance schedules to be
selected according to your driving conditions: schedules A and
B. The instructions on which schedule to follow are given on
the next page.
The service interval for scheduled maintenance is
determined by the odometer reading or the time interval,
whichever comes first, shown in the schedule.The maintenance services beyond the last period should
be performed at the same intervals.
The service interval of each item can be obtained from the
maintenance schedule.

MAINTENANCE
144
Which schedule to follow?
If you mainly operate your vehicle under one or more of the
severe conditions below:

Towing a trailer, using a camper or car top carrier

Operating on dusty, rough, muddy or salt-spread roads

Repeated short trips less than 8 km (5 miles) and outside
temperatures remain below freezing

Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for long distances
such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery useIf you mainly operate your vehicle under:
CONDITIONS OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED ON THE LEFT
Follow SCHEDULE AFollow SCHEDULE B