1999 Lexus LS400 maintenance

INTRODUCTION
390
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 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:

INTRODUCTION
392
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cablescarry high currents or voltages. Be careful ofaccidentally causing a short circuit.

Before closing the engine hood, check to seethat you have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or
excessive engine wear could result. Alsobackfiring could cause a fire in the enginecompartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, orthe transmission could be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface withthe 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 SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade
engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For
recommended oil viscosity, see page 408.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

ªToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 409
for instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)

INTRODUCTION
393
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)
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

ENGINE
399
± 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.

ENGINE
400
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 to lose its effectiveness and theemission control system to function improperly.Also, this can increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane
Rating of 91 (R esearch 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.

ENGINE
403
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.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
446

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 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 batterywhen washing it.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
447
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 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)
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