2001 Lexus IS300 check engine

CHASSIS
251
CHECKING POWER STEERINGFLUID
SV63002
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If necessary, add
automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80 km/h (50 mph) for 20
minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is hot
(60 C ± 80C or 140F ± 175F). You may also check the level
when the fluid is cold (about room temperature, 10 C ± 30C
or 50F ± 85F) if the engine has not been run for about five
hours.
SV63003

1If cold O.K. 2If hot O.K. 3Add fluid
1. Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
2. Remove the reservoir cap by turning it counterclockwise
and wipe the dipstick clean.
3. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
4. Remove the reservoir cap again and look at the fluid level.
If the fluid is cold, the level should be in the ºCOLDº range on
the dipstick. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level should be in the
ºHOTº range. If the level is at the low side of either range, add
automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III to bring the
level within the range.
5. After replacing the reservoir cap, visually check the steering
box case, vane pump and hose connections for leaks or
damage.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
267
Checking battery exterior
SV64002

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
268
Checking battery fluid
Checking by hydrometer
SV64016
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer color.
1BLUE ± Good condition.
2WHITE ± Charging necessary. Have the battery checked
by your Lexus dealer.
3RED ± 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.
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.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
269
CHECKING AND REPLACING THEBLADE TYPE FUSES
SS64009

Driver's side kick panel
SS64012a

Passenger's side kick panel
SV64017

Engine compartment 1Spare fuses 2Pull±out tool
1. Turn the ignition switch off and open the fuse box lid.
Determine which fuse may be causing the problem. The lid of
the fuse box shows the name of the circuit for each fuse.

3
GAS STATION INFORMATION

Fuel selection:
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rat-
ing of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for
optimum engine performance. However, if such pre-
mium type cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use
unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87
(Research Octane Number 91).

Fuel tank capacity:
66 L (17.5 gal., 14.5 lmp.gal.)

Engine oil:
API SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommend oil viscosity ± SAE 5W±30 if normal
temperatures are below 38 C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill with filter 5.4 (5.7, 4.8)
without filter 5.1 (5.4, 4.5)
See page 240 for detailed information.

Engine coolant:
Capacity: 7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type ± ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components For checking the engine coolant, see page 243.
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

Automatic transmission:
Fluid type ± Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV
See page 246 for detailed information.

Tire information:
See page 252 through 258 for detailed information.

Tire pressure:
Tire size: 215/45ZR17 or P205/55R16 89V
Tire pressure: cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Ti
re sizeFrontRear
215/45ZR17 230 (2.3, 33) 230 (2.3, 33)
P205/55R16 89V 230 (2.3, 33) 230 (2.3, 33)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add the
tire pressure given below to the front tires and rear tires, but
never exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the
tire sidewall.
215/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
P205/55R16 89V 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)