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.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
269
Compact spare tire (Some models)
SV64025
The compact spare tire is designed for temporary
emergency use only.
The compact spare tire is identified by the distinctive wheel
design and color and special wording ºTEMPORARY USE
ONLYº molded into the side wall of the tire.
The standard tire should be repaired and replaced as soon as
possible.
To keep the compact spare tire noticeable, do not hide the
wheel by a wheel cover or such.
The compact spare tire saves space in your luggage
compartment, and its lighter weight helps to improve fuel
economy and permits easier installation in case of a flat tire.The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary.
It has tread life of up to 4800 km (3000 miles) depending on
road conditions and your driving habits. When tread wear
indicators appear on the tire, replace the tire. (See ºChecking
and replacing tiresº on page 326.)
CAUTION
The compact spare tire was designed especially for
your Lexus. Do not use it on any other vehicle.
Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) when driving with the
compact spare tire.
Avoid sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration and
sharp turns with the compact spare tire.
NOTICE
Your ground clearance is reduced when the compact
spare tire is installed so avoid driving over obstaclesand drive slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speedbumps. Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic
car wash as the vehicle may get caught, resulting in damage.
MAINTENANCE
292
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEEDREPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and
visual tip±offs that indicate service is needed. Some important
clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (however, water dripping from
the air conditioning after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous
carbon monoxide leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked immediately.)
Flat±looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering,
uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level
road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal,
pedal almost touches floors, vehicle pulls to one side when
braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It
could result in serious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
INTRODUCTION
298
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 ºParts and toolsº on page 299.
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:
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.
Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
Be sure the ignition is off if you work near the electric
cooling fan or radiator grille. With the ignition on, the
electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if
the air conditioning is on and/or if the coolant
temperature is high.
Use eye protection whenever you work on or under
your vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc.
Be extremely cautious when working on the battery.
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
ENGINE
309
The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high
speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in
mind that the oil may have become diluted, making it
difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with
fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.
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 lead to serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see ºChecking the
engine oil levelº on page 310.
CHASSIS
327
Vehicles equipped with 225/45ZR17 or 215/45ZR17 tires:
Your Lexus has been fitted with specially developed tires which
provide exceptional dynamic performance
under general road
conditions. However your riding comfort may worsen a little
and road noise may increase during driving. You may also
notice that your tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip
performance will be reduced on the snowy and/or icy roads
when compared to standard tires. Be sure to have snow tires
or tire chains on the snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully
with the speed appropriate for road conditions.
NOTICE
Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire damage.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears
down below 4 mm (0.16 in.).
If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep
enough to expose the fabric, or bulges indicating internal
damage, the tire should be replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage, it should be replaced.
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.
If an air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving with
a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can damage a tire
beyond repair. Any tires which are over 6 years old must be checked by
a qualified technician even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or seldom
been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires stored for future
use.
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
336
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 D FR P/W20Power window system
2 TAIL10Tail lights, Side marker lights,
License plate lights,
Parking lights
3 GAUGE10
Back±up lights, Power window,
Gauges and meters,
Service reminder indicators and
buzzers,
Emergency flashers,
Windshield defogger,
Outside rear view mirror
defogger
4 DOOR20Door lock system
5 PANEL7.5
Instrument panel lights,
Seat heater, Cigarette lighter,
Automatic transmission system,
Traction control system,
Rear fog light, Ashtray light
6 WASHER15Windshield washer,
Headlight cleaner
7 STARTER7.5Starting system
8 FR DEF20Windshield wiper deicer
9 A/C10Air conditioning system
10 SEAT HTR15Seat heater
11 CIG15Cigarette lighter, Power outlet
12 S/ROOF30Moon roof
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
13 ECU±IG10
Radiator fan,
Anti±lock brake system,
Moon roof, Shift lock system,
Air conditioning system,
Door lock system,
Headlight beam level control,
Theft deterrent system
14 SRS±ACC10SRS system
15 STOP15Stop lights, Shift lock system,
Anti±lock brake system
16 WIPER25Windshield wipers
17 RADIONO.210Audio, Air conditioning,
Outside rear view mirror,
Shift lock system
18 DOOR DL15Power seat system
19 DOME7.5
Interior lights, Trunk light,
Vanity lights,
Ignition switch light, Map light,
Door courtesy lights
20 FR FOG15Fog lights
21 P FR P/W20Power window system
22 PWR
OUTLET15Power outlets
23 ECU±B27.5Theft deterrent system,
Door lock system
24 D RR P/W20Power window system
25 MIR HTR15Outside rear view mirror
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
337
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
26 MPX±B10
Power window system,
Air conditioning,
Gauges and meters,
Theft deterrent system
27 P RR P/W20Power window system
28 SRS±B7.5SRS system, Door lock system
29 TV7.5Television
30 OBD7.5On±board diagnosis system
31 IGN7.5
SRS system,
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system,
Cruise control system
32 ECU±B120
Theft deterrent system,
Door lock system,
Interior light, Trunk light,
Vanity light, Ignition switch light,
Map light, Door courtesy lights,
Power window system,
Air conditioning,
Gauges and meters
33 ALT±S7.5Charging system
34 ETCS15Electronic throttle control
system
35 AM220
Starting system, SRS system,
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, Cruise control
system
36 HORN10Horn
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
37 RADIONO.120Audio
38 TURN±HAZ15Turn signal lights
39 EFI25
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system,
Emission control system,
Engine immobiliser system
40 DRL NO.230Daytime running light system
41 DRL NO.17.5Daytime running light system
42 H±LP L LW R15Left±hand headlight
(low beam), Fog lights
43 H±LP R LW R15Right±hand headlight
(low beam)
44 ABS27.5Anti±lock brake system
45 SPARESpare fuse
46 SPARESpare fuse
47 SPARESpare fuse
48 H±LP LUPR10Left±hand headlight
(high beam)
49 H±LP R UPR10
Right±hand headlight
(high beam),
Service reminder indicators and
buzzers