1998 Lexus LS400 oil viscosity

DRIVING TIPS
182Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. It
can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear, and poor
fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed and
downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes excessively,
they may overheat and not work properly. See page 163.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting, downshifting or
braking on a slippery surface. The abrupt change in engine
speed, such as sudden acceleration or engine braking, could
cause the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal
speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h (85 mph)
unless your vehicle has highspeed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may result in tire failure,
loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire
dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are
highspeed capability tires or not before driving at such
speeds.
Do not continue normal driving when the brakes are wet.
If they are wet, your vehicle will require a longer stopping
distance, and it may pull to one side when the brakes are
applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethyleneglycol antifreeze in the radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be
in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 253
tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and
most service stations will be pleased to check the battery charge
level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather.
See page 232 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer
oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting.
If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer
they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose connections or
obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock deicer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.

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
doityourself 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, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ,
”EnergyConserving” 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):
Ethyleneglycol coolant
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)

62L0051
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
ENGINE
225
SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
Model
Type
Bore and stroke
Displacement
Valve clearance (engine cold)
Intake
Exhaust
Drive belt tension
1UZFE
8 cylinder V type, 4 cycle, gasoline
87.5 X 82.5 mm (3.44 X 3.25 in.)
3969 cm
3 (242.1 cu.in.)
0.15 0.25 mm (0.006 0.010 in.)
0.25 0.35 mm (0.010 0.014 in.)
Automatic adjustment
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Oil capacity
Drain and refill
with filter
without filter
Oil grade

Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
5.6 L (5.9 qt., 4.9 lmp.qt.)
5.3 L (5.6 qt., 4.7 lmp.qt.)
API SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ, ”EnergyConserving”
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil

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 highspeed 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

ENGINE
232
Engine oil selection
Use API SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ, ”EnergyConserving”
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
62L0051
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
SAE 5W30 is the best choice for your vehicle, for good fuel
economy, and good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W30 engine oil in extremely low
temperatures, the engine may become difficult to start, so SAE
5W30 engine oil is recommended.
Oil identification marks
62L0061
API Service Symbol
ILSAC Certification Mark
Either or both API registered marks are added to some oil containers
to help you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located anywhere on the outside of the
container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil quality by API
(American Petroleum Institute) designation such as SJ. The
center portion of the label shows the SAE viscosity grade such as
SAE 5W30. ”EnergyConserving”, shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuelsaving capabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee) Certification Mark is displayed on the
front of the container.

CHASSIS
237
SPECIFICATIONS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Fluid capacity
Drain and refill
Fluid type
1.9 L (2.0 qt., 1.7 lmp.qt.)
Automatic transmission fluid Type T IV or equivalent
DIFFERENTIAL
Oil capacity
Oil type
Oil viscosity
1.3 L (1.4 qt., 1.1 lmp.qt.)
Hypoid gear oil API GL5
Above 18C (0F): SAE 90
Below 18C (0F): SAE 80W or SAE 80W90
BRAKES
Pedal clearance
Pedal freeplay
Brake pad wear limit
Parking brake lining wear limit
Parking brake adjustment
Fluid type
70 mm (2.8 in.) Min. *1
1 6 mm (0.04 0.24 in.)
1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
5 7 clicks *
2
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with the pressure of 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf.) with the engine running
*
2: Parking brake adjustment when depressed with the pressure of 294 N (30 kgf, 66.1 lbf.)

INDEX (M Q)
282
M
Maintenance
Doityourself maintenance 221. . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 217. . . . . .
General maintenance 214
Maintenance requirements 213. . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to go for service? 213. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Malfunction indicator lamp 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Multi information display 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum allowable speed 164. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mirrors
Antiglare inside rear view 79. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Folding rear view 79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside rear view 77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power rear view 78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vanity 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moon roof 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MTBE 228. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N
New vehicle breakin 181
O
Odometer 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil
Checking the engine oil 230. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consumption 229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering 240. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viscosity and grade 232. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Opener
Trunk lid 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel filler door 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 181. . . . . . . . . . .
Outside rear view mirrors 77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating, Engine 196 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview
Engine compartment 220
P
Parking brake
Operation 158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reminder light 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts 222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personal lights 50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Polishing 271. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power door locks 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power outlet 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power rear view mirror control 78. . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering fluid level 240. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power window switches 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting your Lexus from corrosion 270. . . . .
Q
Quick index Back cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
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).
Fuel tank capacity:
85 L (22.5 gal., 18.7 lmp.gal.)
Engine oil:
API SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ, ”EnergyConserving”
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity SAE 5W30 if normal
temperatures are below 38C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill
with filter 5.6 (5.9, 4.9)
without filter 5.3 (5.6, 4.7)
See page 230 for detailed information.
Engine coolant:
Capacity: 10.8 L (11.4 qt, 10.4 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type Ethylene glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol
coolant.)
For checking the engine coolant, see page 233.
For changing the engine coolant, see the label on the coolant
reservoir.Automatic transmission:
Fluid type Automatic transmission fluid Type TIV or
equivalent
Tire information:
See page 241 through 247 for detailed information.
Tire pressure:
Tire size: P225/60R16 97V
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2
or bar, psi)
Vehicle loaded up
Vehicle load up to vehicle capacity
up to occupants weight
Front tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32). . . . . . . . . . . . .
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 80 kPa
(0.9 kgf/cm
2, 0.8 bar, 12 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but
never exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
LS400 (U) 98