2001 Lexus ES300 engine oil

DRIVING TIPS
339

Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing
down. Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a steady pace. Try to time the traffic si gnals
so you only need to stop as little as possible or take
advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights.
Keep a proper distance from other vehicles to avoid
sudden braking. This will also reduce wear on your
brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever
possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This
causes premature wear, overheating and poor fuel
economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The
faster you drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By
reducing your speed, you will cut down on fuel
consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid
hitting the curb and slow down on rough roads.
Improper alignment not only causes faster tire wear
but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in
turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud
etc. This not only lessens weight but also helps
prevent corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tuned±up and in top shape. A
dirty air cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty
plugs, dirty oil and grease, brakes not adjusted, etc.
all lower engine performance and contribute to poor
fuel economy. For longer life of all parts and lower
operating costs, keep all maintenance work on
schedule, and if you often drive under severe
conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº.)

MAINTENANCE
382
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that
should be performed at the intervals specified. It is
recommended that any problem you notice be brought
to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to
time, unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
pressure label. See page 431 for a dditional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 433 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation
Rotate
the tires according to the maintenance schedule.
(For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the ªOwner's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Scheduleº.) See page 432 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other
fluid after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you
smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the
engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when the
primary latch is released.

MAINTENANCE
384
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
464 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 415 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 451 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 424
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 410 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 426 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.)

61E020
INTRODUCTION
391
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1 Engine oilfiller cap
2 Brake fluidreservoir
3 Fuse box
4 Battery
5 Fuse box
6 Engine oilleveldipstick
7 Fuse box
8 Washer
fluid tank
9 Enginecoolantreservoir
10 Power
steeringfluid
reservoir

INTRODUCTION
393
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive
belt. (Removing rings, watches, and ties is
advisable.)
 Right after driving, the engine compartment ± the
engine, radiator, exhaust manifold and power
steering fluid reservoir, etc. ± will be hot. So be
careful not to touch them. Oil and other fluids may
also be hot.
 Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
around fuel or the battery. Their fumes are
flammable.
 Be extremely cautious when working on the battery.
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
 Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
 Use eye protection whenever you work on or under
your vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc.

INTRODUCTION
394
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 414.
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 415
for instructions.
 Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
 Funnel (only for adding coolant)

SECTION 6 ± 2
400
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications 401. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 404
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 409
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 410
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 415
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 419
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

62L005±1
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
ENGINE
402Oil capacity
Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
Oil grade
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
4.7 L (5.0 qt., 4.1 lmp. qt.)
4.5 L (4.8 qt., 4.0 lmp. qt.)
API SJ, ªEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil
± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
8.8 L (9.3 qt., 7.7 lmp. qt.)
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.
± FUELFuel type
Octane Rating
Only UNLEADED
87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher