2000 Lexus ES300 Section 5

SECTION 5
373
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance requirements374
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 376
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 379
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For scheduled maintenance information,
please refer to the ªOwner's ManualSupplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.

MAINTENANCE
375
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 ªOwner's Guideº,
ªOwner's M anual Supplementº or ªWarranty Bookletº for
the details.

MAINTENANCE
378
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to
time, e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page
459 for additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the ªFULLº and
ªLOWº lines on the see±through reservoir when the
engine is cold. See page 407 for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not
have to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery,
however, see page 443 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 416
for additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off
and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 402 for
additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should
be in the ªHOTº or ªCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature. See page 418 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or
smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately.
(See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 3±1.)

SECTION 6 ± 1
382
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Introduction
Vehicle identification382
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Engine compartment overview 385
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do±it±yourself service precautions 386
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 388
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VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
61E013

INTRODUCTION
386
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 ªParts and toolsº on page 388.
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:

SECTION 6 ± 2
392
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications393
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 396
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 399
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 401
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 402
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 411
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 6 ± 3
412
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications413
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 416
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid 418
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 423
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Rotating tires 424
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 425
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 429
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 432
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 432
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 433
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CHASSIS
427
If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks
deep enough to expose the fabric, or bulges
indicating internal damage, the tire should be
replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due
to the size or location of a cut or other damage, it should
be replaced. If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer.
If an air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving
with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can
damage a tire beyond repair.
Any tires which are over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician even if damage is
not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or
seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires stored for
future use.
Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared in accordance
with regulations issued by the National Highway
Traffic
Safety Administration of the U.S. Department
of Transportation. It provides the purchasers and/or
prospective purchasers of Lexus vehicles with
information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Lexus dealer will help answer any questions
you may have as you read this information.
DOT quality grades ± All passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades. Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear ± The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half (1 ± 1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C ± The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B and C, and they represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under