2001 Lexus ES300 fuel

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.)

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.

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

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
405
customer satisfaction through better vehicle
performance.
Cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated
gasoline that contains oxygenates such as ethanol
or MTBE is available in many areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline
and appropriately blended reformulated gasoline.
These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle
performance,
reduce vehicle emissions, and improve air
quality.
Oxygenates in gasoline
Lexus all ows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline
where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or
15% MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be
sure that it has an octane rating no lower than 87.
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline
containing methanol.
Sulfur in gasoline
If your vehicle is certified to California Emission
Regulations, the vehicle is designed to operate on
California cleaner burning gasoline (CBG) that
contains lower sulfur. If you cannot use California
CBG, your emission control system may suffer
damage and turn on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp.
If the malfunction is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by your warranty.

ENGINE
406
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane enhancing
additive called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl
Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that
contains MMT. If fuel containing MMT is used, your
emission control system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument
cluster may come on. If this happens, contact your
Lexus dealer for service.
Gasoline quality
In a very few cases, you may experience driveability
problems caused by the particular gasoline that you are
using. If you continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If this does not rectify your
problem, then consult your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system damage or vehicleperformance problems.
If drivability problems are encountered (poorhot starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.),discontinue its use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)