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INTRODUCTION
222Remember 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 yourself 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, ”Energy Conserving II” or SJ,
”Energy Conserving” multigrade engine oil or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see page
232.
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)
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INTRODUCTION
223
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 waterTools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Coin (for vent plugs)
Funnel (only for adding distilled water)
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Checking the cartridge type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same amperage rating as
original
Adding washer fluid
Parts:
Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Tools:
Funnel
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ENGINE
226 COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
10.8 L (11.4 qt., 10.4 lmp.qt.)
Ethylene glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
FUEL
Fuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug Make DENSO
NGK
Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Maintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 20C (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.
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ENGINE
227
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 to lose its effectiveness and the
emission control system to function improperly. Also, this can
increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum engine
performance. However, if such premium type cannot be
obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane Number 91).
Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower than
stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If severe, 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, consult 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.
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ENGINE
229
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL
CONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling the
inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining the engine
in proper working order.
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 by 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 is 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 by high speed driving and frequent
acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings and
cylinder 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 the 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
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ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
254
Checking battery exterior
64L009
1
Terminals 2
Hold 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 battery, 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.
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ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
255
Checking battery fluid
There are 2 types of batteries: maintenance type and
non maintenance type.
A non maintenance battery has ”MAINTENANCE FREE
BATTERY” 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 hydrometer.
Non maintenance battery
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer on the top of the
battery.(a) Checking by the fluid level lines (Maintenance type battery
only)
64L063
1
Upper line 2
Lower line
The fluid (electrolyte) level must be between the upper and lower
lines.
When checking the fluid level, look at all six cells, not just one or
two.
If the level is lower than the lower line, add distilled water. (See
”Adding distilled water” on page 257.)
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ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
256(b) Checking by the hydrometer
64L010
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer color.
Maintenance type battery
1
BLUE Good condition.
2
WHITE Charging necessary. Have the battery checked by
your Lexus dealer.
3
RED Add distilled water. (See ”Adding distilled water” on
page 257.)
Non maintenance type battery
1
BLUE Good condition.
2
WHITE Charging necessary. Have the battery checked by
your Lexus dealer.
3
RED Have the battery checked by your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
(For non maintenance type battery):
Do not refill the battery with water.
