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MAINTENANCE
352
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.
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, Owner's
Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for the details.
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MAINTENANCE
353
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.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
pressure label. See page 397 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 399 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation
Rotate
the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page
398 for additional information.
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 secures the hood when the
primary latch is released.
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MAINTENANCE
354
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g.
while performing periodic services, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn
signal lights, and other lights are working. Check
headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for
changes in steering condition, such as hard steering,
excessive freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. 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.
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 applied.
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.
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MAINTENANCE
356
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEEDREPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds,
and visual tip±offs 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 as soon as possible. It probably needs
adjustment or repair.
Page 379 of 472
SECTION 6 ± 1
359
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Introduction
Vehicle identification359
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine com
partment overview
.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Do±it±yourself service precautions 363
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 365
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
61E001
Page 383 of 472
INTRODUCTION
363
steeringfluidreservoir
DO±IT±YOURSELF SERVICE PRECAUTIONS
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 easy 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, see 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:
Page 389 of 472
SECTION 6 ± 2
369
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications370
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 373
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 375
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 377
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 378
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 383
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 387
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page 394 of 472

ENGINE
374AAMA specification, if available, for improved drivability
and emission control system.
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines
that contain MTBE (Methyl T ertiary±Butyl
Ether) are available in the market. If you use a
gasoline mixed with MTBE, make certain that it does
not contain more than 15% of MTBE.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing
additive called MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that
contain MMT. If fuels containing MMT are used, your
emission control system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument
cluster may come on. If this happens, contact your
Lexus dealer for service.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you
use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it is
unleaded, has an octane rating no lower than 87 and
does not contain more than 10% ethanol. Lexus
does not recommend the use of gasolines
containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only
gasoline meeting the requirements above and also
containing less than 5% methanol with cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors for methanol.