2001 Lexus ES300 Transmission oil

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
viii
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge56
. . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 284 . . . . . .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ªODO/TRIPº knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Vehicle skid control system off
indicator light 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35
. . . . . . . . . . .
19 Headlight indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 301, 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 Vehicle skid control system warning light 65 . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
x
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge56
. . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 284 . . . . . .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ªODO/TRIPº knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Vehicle skid control system off
indicator light 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35
. . . . . . . . . . .
19 Tail light indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 301, 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 Vehicle skid control system warning light 65 . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xii
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge56
. . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 284 . . . . . .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ªODO/TRIPº knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35
. . . . . . . . . . .
19 Headlight indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 301, 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For detailed information, refer to the description given in each section\
.
PICTORIAL INDEX
xiv
Page
1 Engine coolant temperature gauge56
. . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Tachometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Automatic headlight leveling system
warning light 67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Overdrive off indicator light 286
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Turn signal indicator light 36
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Automatic transmission indicator lights 284 . . . . . .
7 Odometer and trip meter 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 ªODO/TRIPº knob 58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Fuel gauge 54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Low fuel level warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Low washer fluid warning light 67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 SRS warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Anti±lock brake system warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . Page
14 Traction control system off
indicator/warning light 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Malfunction indicator lamp 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Low engine oil level warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Open door warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Headlight high beam indicator light 35
. . . . . . . . . . .
19 Tail light indicator light 31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Slip indicator light 301, 304
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Low oil pressure warning light 64
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Discharge warning light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Brake system warning light 62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Seat belt reminder light 63
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Rear light failure warning light 65
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26 Cruise control indicator light 297
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
64
(e) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the
road to a safe place and stop the engine immediately.
Call a Lexus dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is
idling or it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There
is no cause for concern if it then goes out when the
engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely
low. It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the
oil level must be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on± even for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(f) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add
oil as soon as possible. (For instructions, see ªChecking
the engine oil levelº on page 410.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which
causes the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves,
this light may come on due to the movement of engine
oil in the engine.
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oilwill damage the engine.
(g) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See ªFuel gaugeº on page 54 for instructions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened securely. (See ªFuel tank capº on page 108 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your engine or automatic transmission electrical system.
If it comes on while you are driving in case ªc.º, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible.

DRIVING TIPS
322See page 414 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.

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)

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 410 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 415 .

Automatic transaxle:
Fluid type ± Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV
See page 421 for detailed information.

Tire information:
See pages 431 through 440 for detailed information.

Tire pressure:
Tire size: P205/65R15 92V or P205/60R16 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.