2002 Lexus IS300 check transmission fluid

DRIVING TIPS
257
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's paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ºPº (automatic) or into
first or reverse (manual) and block the front 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. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of
the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
267
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you
hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has
probably overheated.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ºPº (automatic)
or neutral (manual) and apply the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no sign
of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been seriously
damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of
very high pressure.
B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning.
Check the following.
Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the eng ine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the
acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus
dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your
vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible
by your Lexus dealer.

MAINTENANCE
291
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and all brakes released.
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 344 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and Lower
lines on the see±through reservoir when the engine is cold.
See page 313 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 338 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 321 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 310 for additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the
ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 322 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 ªEngine exhaust cautionsº on page 221 in
Section 3±1.)

INTRODUCTION
299
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a short circuit.

Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you
have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive engine wear could result. Also backfiringcould cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or thetransmission could be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with thewiper 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, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine
oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil
viscosity, see page 312.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):

ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 313 for
instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)

INTRODUCTION
300
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE BLADE
TYPE FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Fuse with same amperage rating as original
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGE TYPE FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same amperage
rating as original
ADDING WASHER FLUID
Parts:

Water

Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Tools:

Funnel

CHASSIS
322
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.

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 310 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 313.
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

Automatic transmission:
Fluid type ± Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV
See page 316 for detailed information.

Tire information:
See page 323 through 332 for detailed information.

Tire pressure:
Tire size: 225/45ZR17, 215/45ZR17 or P205/55R16 89V
Tire pressure: cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Ti
re sizeFrontRear
225/45ZR17 ± 240 (2.4, 35)
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.
225/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
215/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
P205/55R16 89V 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)