2000 Lexus GS300 battery

SECTION 6 ± 4
440
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical components
Specifications 441. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking battery condition 450. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery recharging precautions 454. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses 455. . . . .
Checking the cartridge type fuses 461. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding washer fluid 462. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the headlight aim 463. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing light bulbs 467. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
450
CHECKING BATTERY
CONDITION
Precautions

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
451
CAUTION
BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
The battery produces flammable and explosive
hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark by contacting the battery
terminals with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothes.
Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses when working near
the battery.
Keep children away from the battery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
If electrolyte gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with
clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immediate
medical attention. If possible, continue to apply
water with a sponge or cloth while traveling to the
medical office.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
452
If electrolyte gets on your skin, thoroughly
wash the contacted area. If you feel a pain or
burn, get medical attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes, there is a
possibility of its soaking through to your skin,
so immediately take off the exposed clothing
and follow the procedure above, if necessary.
If you accidentally swallow electrolyte, drink a
large quantity of water or milk. Follow with milk
of magnesia, beaten raw egg or vegetable oil.
Then go immediately for emergency help.Checking battery exterior
64G001a

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
453

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 battery
when washing it.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
454
Checking battery fluid
Checking by hydrometer
64G003a
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer
color.
1
BLUE ± Good condition.
2
WHITE ± Charging necessary. Have the battery
checked by your Lexus dealer.
3
RED ± Have the battery checked by your Lexus
dealer.
NOTICE
Do not refill the battery with water.
BATTERY RECHARGING
PRECAUTIONS
During recharging, the battery is producing
hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle,
be sure to disconnect the ground cable.
2. Make sure the power switch on the recharger is off
when connecting the charger cables to the battery and
when disconnecting them.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
455
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an unconfined area. Do
not charge the battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventilation.
Only do a slow charge (5 A or less). Charging at a
quicker rate is dangerous. The battery may explode
causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the engine is
running. Also, be sure all accessories are turned
off.
CHECKING AND REPLACING
THE BLADE TYPE FUSES

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
461
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGE
TYPE FUSES
64G019±1

1Good 2Melted
If the headlights or other electrical components do
not work and the blade type fuses are O.K., check
the cartridge type fuses. If any of the cartridge type
fuses are blown, they must be replaced.
If there is an overload in the circuits from the battery, the
fuses are designed to blow before the entire wiring
harness is damaged.