2001 Lexus ES300 maintenance

MAINTENANCE
387

INTRODUCTION
392
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 394.
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:

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)

ENGINE
403
± IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Maintenance type battery Specific gravity reading at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates Quick charge Slow charge
± Non±maintenance battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
15A max.
5A max.
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is
removed with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE
404
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a
smaller fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps
with unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle
on pumps with leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three±way catalyticconverter to lose its effectiveness and theemission control system to function improperly.Also, this can increase maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number
91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance,
the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96)
or higher is recommended.
Use of unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating or Research Octane Number lower than stated above will cause
persistent heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will lead
to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended
fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your
Lexus dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking
for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This
is no cause for concern.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contain
detergent additives to avoid build±up of engine
deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local
gasoline retailer.
Quality gasoline
Automobile manufacturers in U.S., Europe and
Japan have developed a specification for quality
fuel named W orld±Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is
expected to be applied world wide. The WWFC
consists of three categories that depend on
required emission levels. In the U.S., category 3 has
been adopted. The WWFC improves air quality by
providing for better emissions in vehicle fleets, and

ENGINE
408
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum
level so that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore,
it is essential that the oil level be checked regularly.
Lexus recommends that the oil level be checked every
time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could leadto serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see
ªChecking the engine oil levelº on page 410.

CHASSIS
421
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
433
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate your tires according to
the maintenance schedule. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the
ªOwner's Manual Supplement/Maintenance
Schedule.) However, the most appropriate timing
for tire rotation may vary according to your driving
habits and road surface conditions.
The wheel assemblies must be rotated as illustrated
above.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect
tire
pressure, improper wheel alignment, out±of balance
wheels, or severe braking.
Before storing radial, snow or studded tires, mark the
direction of rotation and be sure to install them in the
same direction when using them again. Tires should be
stored in a cool dry place.
CHECKING AND REPLACING TIRES
When to replace your tires