1998 Lexus ES300 maintenance

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.

INTRODUCTION
188
DO±IT±YOURSELF SERVICEPRECAUTIONS
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in this Section.
You should be aware that improper or incomplete servicing may result in
operating problems.
Performing do±it±yourself maintenance during the warranty period may
affect your warranty coverage. Read the separate Lexus Warranty statement
for details and suggestions.
This Section gives instructions only for those items that are relatively eas\
y for
an owner to perform. As explained in Section 5, there are still a number \
of
items that must be performed by a qualified technician with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for do±it±yourself maintenance, se\
e ºParts
and toolsº.
Utmost care should be taken when working on your vehicle to prevent
accidental injury. Here are a few precautions that you should be especially
careful to observe:
CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
(Removing rings, watches, and ties is advisable.)

Right after driving, the engine compartment ± the engine,
radiator, exhaust manifold and power steering fluid
reservoir, etc. ± will be hot. So be car eful not to touch them.
Oil and other fluids may also be hot.

Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames near fuel
or the battery. Their fumes are flammable.

Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It
contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.

Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or other
solid supports.

Use eye protection whenever you work on or under your
vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or falling
material, fluid spray, etc.

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)

INTRODUCTION
190
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Non±maintenance batteries
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteries
Parts (if level is low):

Distilled water
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)

Coin (for vent plugs)

Funnel (only for adding distilled water)

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.

ENGINE195
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller fuel tank
opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded fuel will fit it, but the
larger nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the
three±way catalytic converter/warm up three±way catalytic converter to
lose its effectiveness and the emission control system to function
improperly. Also, this can increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For
improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline
with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher is
recommended.
Use of unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating or Research Octane Number
lower than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If it is sever\
e,
this will lead to engine damage. If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the recommended fuel, or if\
you hear steady knocking while holding a steady speed on level roads, consu\
lt
your Lexus dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no cause for concern.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends use of gasolines that contain detergent additives to
avoid build±up of engine deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local gasoline retailer.
Improved gasolines
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has
developed a specification of improved gasolines. The AAMA
specification offers optimal fuel information for better vehicle
performance and better protection of your engine.
Lexus recommends the use of gasolines that meet the AAMA specification,
if available, for improved drivability and emission control system.

ENGINE197
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are
as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders. A thin film of
oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston moves downwards in the
cylinder. High negative pressure generated when the vehicle is
decelerating sucks some of this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil
as well as some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned b\
y the
high temperature combustion gases during the combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves. Some of this\
oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber together with the intake air and i\
s
burned along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve stems. The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and
frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings and cyli\
nder
walls have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level
accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and consumes \
a
normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show any drop in the oil level at
all, even after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This is because the oil \
is
gradually becoming diluted with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the
oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear that oil is excessively
consumed after driving at high speeds.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle maintenance is to keep t\
he
engine oil at the optimum level so that oil function will not be impaired.
Therefore, it is essential that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus
recommends that the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine
trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see ºChecking the engine\
oil
levelº on page 198.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
220
Checking battery exterior
64E007

1Terminals 2Hold±down clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose connections, cracks, or loose
hold±down clamps.
1. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water and
baking soda. Coat the terminals with grease to prevent further corrosion.
2. If the connections are loose, tighten the clamp bolts ± but do not
overtighten.
3. Tighten the hold±down clamp only enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the battery case.
NOTICE
 Make sure the engine and all accessories are turned off before
performing maintenance.
 When checking the ba ttery, remove the ground cable first and reinstall
it last.
 Be careful not to cause a short circuit with tools.
 Take care no solution gets into the battery when washing it.
Checking battery fluid
There are 2 types of batteries: maintenance type and non±maintenance
type.
A non±maintenance battery has ºMAINTENANCE FREE BATTERYº on its
top. A maintenance type battery does not have such indication.
Maintenance type battery
Check the fluid condition by the fluid level lines on the side of the battery. Or
if the battery has a hydrometer on its top, you can also check the hydro\
meter.
Non±maintenance battery
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer on the top of the battery.