2000 Lexus ES300 TRANSMISSION

MAINTENANCE
377
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 ªParkº 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 ªPº position and all brakes released.

INTRODUCTION
388
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, ªEnergy±Conservingº multigrade
engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For
recommended oil viscosity, see page 406.
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 ªChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 407
for instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)

INTRODUCTION
389
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)

CHASSIS
413
SPECIFICATIONS
± AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLEFluid capacity Drain and refill
Fluid type
3.5 L (3.7 qt., 3.1 lmp. qt.)
Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV*
*Change automatic transmission fluid only as
necessary. Generally, it is necessary to change
automatic transmission fluid only if your vehicle is driven
under one of the Special Operating Conditions listed in
your ªOwner's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº. When changing the automatic transmission
fluid, use only Toyota Genuine ATF Type T±IV (ATF
JWS3309 or NWS6500) to aid in assuring optimum
transaxle performance.NOTICE
Using automatic transmission fluid other than Toyota Genuine ATF Type T±IV may causedeterioration in shift quality, locking up of yourtransmission accompanied by vibration, andultimately damage the automatic transmission ofyour vehicle.

CHASSIS
414± BRAKES
Pedal clearance
Pedal free play
Brake pad wear limit
Parking brake lining wear limit
Parking brake adjustment
Fluid type
70 mm (2.8 in.) Min. *1
1 ± 6 mm (0.04 ± 0.24 in.)
1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
3 ± 6 clicks *
2
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with the pressure of 490 N (50 k\
gf, 110 lbf.) with the engine running
*
2: Parking brake adjustment when depressed with the pressure of 294 N (30 \
kgf, 66 lbf.)
± STEERING
Wheel free play
Power steering fluid type
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III

CHASSIS
419
63E009
Check the fluid level through the reservoir. If
necessary, add automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80 km/h (50 mph)
for 20 minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the
fluid is hot (60C ± 80C or 140 F ± 175F). You may
also check the level when the fluid is cold (about room
temperature, 10 C ± 30C or 50F ± 85F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours.

CHASSIS
420
63E003±1

1If hot O.K. 2If hot add 3If cold O.K.
4If cold add
Clean all dirt off the reservoir and look at the fluid level.
If the fluid is cold, the level should be in the ªCOLDº
range. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level should be in the
ªHOTº range. If the level is at the low side of the
appropriate range, add automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
II or III to bring the level within the range.
To remove the reservoir cap, turn it counterclockwise
and lift up. To reinstall it, turn it clockwise. After
replacing the reservoir cap, visually check the steering
box case, vane pump and hose connections for leaks or
damage.

GAS STATION INFORMATION

Fuel selection:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number
91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the
use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane
Rating 91 ( Research Octane Number 96) or higher is
recommended.

Fuel tank capacity:
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)

Engine oil:
API SJ, ªEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil
or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity ± SAE 5W±30 if normal
temperatures are below 38 C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill with filter 4.7 (5.0, 4.1)
without filter 4.5 (4.8, 4.0)
See page 402 for detailed information.

Engine coolant:
Capacity: 8.8 L (9.3 qt., 7.7 lmp. qt.)
Coolant type ± ªTOYOTA Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
For checking the engine coolant, see page 407
.

Automatic transaxle:
Fluid type ± Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV

Tire information:
See page 423 through 432 for detailed information.

Tire pressure:
Tire size: P205/65R15 92V or P215/60R16 91V
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Vehicle loaded
up Vehicle load up to vehicle
capacity to 4 occupants weight
Front tires 180 (1.8, 26) 220 (2.2, . . . . . . . . . . . .
32)
Rear tires 180 (1.8, 26) 220 (2.2, . . . . . . . . . . .
32)
When driving under the above vehicle load conditions at
sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law,
inflate the front and rear tires 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar,
32 psi), but never exceed the maximum cold tire
pressure molded on the tire sidewall.