1999 LEXUS SC300 engine

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Gasolines quality
In a very few cases, you may experience driveability
problems caused by the particular gasoline that you are using.
If you continue to have unacceptable driveability, try
changing gasoline brands. If that does not rectify your
problem, then consult your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE

Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will
cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.

If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot
starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue
its use.

Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.
Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
78 L (20.6 gal., 17.2 lmp.gal.)
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.

ENGINE
340The 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
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to
serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see ºChecking the
engine oil levelº on page 342.

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341
USED ENGINE OIL
CAUTION

Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants
which may cause skin disorders such as inflammation or
skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid pr olonged and
repeated contact with it. To remove used engine oil from
your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Do not leave used oil within the reach of children.

Dispose of used oil and used oil filters only in a safe and
acceptable manner. Do not dispose of used oil and used oil
filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer or a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.

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CHECKING THE ENGINE OILLEVEL
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off,
check the oil level on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot.
After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick and push it in as far as it will go, or
the reading will not be correct.

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4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end.
If it is between the full line (full level mark) and the low line
(low level mark), it is O.K.

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If the oil level is below or only slightly above the low line
(low
level mark), add engine oil of the same type as alr eady
in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine oil a little at a time,
checking the dipstick. The approximate quantity of oil
needed to fill between the low line (low level mark) and the
full line (full level mark) on the dipstick is indicated below for
reference. When the level reaches within the correct range, return the
filler cap and turn the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
Oil quantity. L (qt., lmp. qt.) SC400, SC300 ± 1.5 (1.6,
1.3)
NOTICE
Avoid
overfilling, or the engine could be damaged. Check
the oil level on the dipstick once again after adding the oil.

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Engine oil selection
Use API SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity (SAE):
SAE 5W±30 is the best choice for your vehicle, for good
fuel economy, and good starting in cold weather.
If you use SAE 10W±30 engine oil in extremely low
temperatures, the engine may become difficult to start, so
SAE 5W±30 engine oil is recommended.