2000 Lexus ES300 transmission fluid check

DRIVING TIPS
320See page 406 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a
heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months
may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about
which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer ± they will be
pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep
them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most
auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions
for how much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other
substitute because it may damage your vehicle'spaint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a
possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ªPº and block
the rear wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow
or water accumulated in and around the parking brake
mechanism may freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the
fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make
steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and
check under the fenders occasionally.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
344
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in
the acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your
Lexus dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or
your vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon
as possible by your Lexus dealer.IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place ± well away
from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of
a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the pa rking brake and put the transmission
in ªPº.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away
from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.

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
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.