1999 Lexus ES300 Specification

FOREWORD
i
Welcome to the growing group of value±conscious people who drive Lexus\
vehicles. We are proud of the advanced engineering and quality construction
of each vehicle we build.
This Owner's Manual explains the features of your new Lexus. Please read it
and follow the instructions carefully so that you can enjoy many years o\
f safe
motoring.
When it comes to service, remember that your Lexus dealer knows your vehicle
best and is interested in your complete satisfaction. Your Lexus dealer will
provide quality maintenance and any other assistance you may require.
If there is not a Lexus dealer near you, or you need emergency assistanc\
e for
any reason, please call the following number:
U.S. OWNERS


When traveling in the U.S. mainland or Canada:
Lexus Roadside Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)

HAWAII:
Lexus Customer Service Assistance 1±800±25±LEXUS (Toll±Free)
(1±800±255±3987)
CANADIAN OWNERS

Please refer to the separate ºOwner's Guideº or ºOwner's Manual
Supplementº.
Please leave this Owner's Manual in this vehicle at the time of resale. The
next owner will need this information also.
All information and specifications in this manual are current at the tim\
e
of printing. However, because of the Lexus policy of continual product
improvement, we reserve the right to make changes at any time without

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
v
SPECIFICATIONS
Simple maintenance procedure and service data are
provided here for your reference should you wish to
perform inspection and maintenance yourself.
INDEX
The page number is listed for each item in the Owner's
Manual so that you can rapidly find the item and page
you are searching for.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
The information you need to know for appropriate
servicing at the gas station is provided here.
QUICK INDEX
This is designed so that you can quickly find the needed
information when an urgent situation arises.
Safety symbol
In this manual, you will also see a circle with a slash
through it. This means ºDo notº, ºDo not do thisº, or ºDo
not let this happenº.

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

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
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
370
SPECIFICATIONS
± GENERALModel
Type
Bore and stroke
Displacement
Valve clearance (engine cold) Intake
Exhaust
Drive belt tension (with Borroughs drive belt tension
gauge No. BT±33±73F)
1MZ ± FE
6 cylinder V type, 4 cycle, gasoline
87.5 X 83 mm (3.44 X 3.27 in.)
2995 cm
3 (182.7 cu.in.)
0.15 ± 0.25 mm (0.006 ± 0.010 in.)
0.25 ± 0.35 mm (0.010 ± 0.014 in.)
115
20 lb.
± LUBRICATION SYSTEM

ENGINE
373
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 catalyticconverter/warm up three±way catalytic converterto lose its effectiveness and the emission controlsystem to function improperly. Also, this canincrease 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 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.
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

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.

SECTION 6 ± 3
388
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 391
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid 393
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 397
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 398
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 399
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 403
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 406
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 406
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .