1998 Lexus ES300 engine coolant

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
166
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, if you
experience a loss of power, or if you hear a loud knocking or pinging noise,
the engine has probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your emergency flashers.
Put the transmission in ºPº and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign of steam or
coolant. Your engine could have been seriously damaged already. Call your
Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning. Check the
following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the acceptabl\
e range,
turn off the engine and call your Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant temperature has cooled
to normal, continue driving your vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your vehicle
overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible by your Lexus dealer.

MAINTENANCE183
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper clearance and freeplay.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side when appl\
ied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe incline, your
vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº 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 ºPº position and all brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time, e.g. each time
when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 227 for additional
information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the ºFULLº and ºLOWº line\
s on the
see±through reservoir when the engine is cold. See page 201 for additional
information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have to add distilled
water. For longer life of the battery, however, see page 219 for additional
information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 205 for additional
information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and the vehicle
parked on a level spot. See page 198 for additional information.

MAINTENANCE
184
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in the ºHOTº or
ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature. See page 206 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 and sounds, and visual tip±o\
ffs that
indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air
conditioning 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 tires, 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 pedal, pedal almost
touches floors, vehicle pulls to one side when braking

Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer a\
s 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.

61E004±6
INTRODUCTION187
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1 Engine oil filler cap
2 Brake fluid reservoir
3 Fuse box (U.S.A. and Canada)
4 Battery
5 Fuse box (Canada and California only)
6 Engine oil level dipstick
7 Fuse box (U.S.A. and Canada)
8 Washer fluid tank
9 Engine coolant reservoir
10 Power steering fluid reservoir

INTRODUCTION189
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high currents or
voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a short circuit.

Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you have not
forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive engine wear
could result. Also backfiring could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or the transmission could
be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the wiper frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform do±it±y\
ourself
maintenance. Remember all Lexus parts are designed in metric sizes, so your
tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):

Use API grade SH, ºEnergy±Conserving IIº or SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For recommended
oil viscosity, see page 200.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

Ethylene±glycol coolant

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)

SECTION 6 ± 2
192
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications193
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Fuel 195
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 196
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. . . . . .
Used engine oil 198
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 198
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Checking the engine coolant level 201
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ENGINE
194
Capacity
Coolant type
9.2 L (9.7 qt., 8.2 lmp.qt.)
Ethylene ± glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
± FUEL
Fuel type
Octane Rating
Only UNLEADED
87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
PK20TR11
BKR6EKPB11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Maintenance type battery Specific gravity reading at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge Slow charge
± Non±maintenance battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE201
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
62E004±3

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the see±through coolant
reservoir when the engine is cool. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the upper and lower lines on the tank. If the level is low, add
ethylene±glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine coolant temperatur\
e.
However, if the level is on or below the lower line, add coolant to bring the
level up to the upper line.
Use only ethylene±glycol type coolant. For information on ethylene±g\
lycol
coolant, see also ºEngine coolant selectionº described below.
If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there\
may be
a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses, radiator cap, drain
cock and water pump. If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap pressure and \
check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot.
Engine coolant selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol antifreeze. In addition to
preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or additives are neither
needed nor recommended.
Read
the antifreeze container for information on freeze protection. Follow t\
he
manufacturer 's directions for how much to mix with water. The total capacity
of the cooling system is given on page 193. We recommend 50% solution be
used for your Lexus, or a sufficient quantity to provide protection to about
±35 C (±31F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.