2003 Lexus ES300 SECTION 4

SECTION 4
263
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
In case of an emergency
If your engine stalls while driving264
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If your vehicle will not start 264
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If you cannot increase the engine speed 268
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If your vehicle overheats 269
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If you have a flat tire 270
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If your vehicle becomes stuck 277
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If your vehicle needs to be towed 278
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If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever 284
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If you lose your keys or lock yourself out 285
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SECTION 5
287
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements288
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General maintenance 289
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Does your vehicle need repairing? 292
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Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs 293
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For scheduled maintenance informa tion, please refer
to the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance”.

MAINTENANCE
289
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are well −trained specialists and are kept up
to date with the latest service information through technical
bulletins, service tips, and in −dealership training programs.
They are well informed about the operation of all the systems
on your vehicle.
You can be confident that your Lexus dealer’s service
department performs the best job to meet the maintenance
requirements of your vehicle.
Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required
maintenance has been performed for warranty coverage. And
if any problems should arise with your vehicle while under
warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it. Again,
be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service
performed on your Lexus.
What about doityourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself, if you
have a little mechanical ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to perform them are
presented in Section 6.
If you are a skilled do −it− yourself mechanic, the Lexus service
manuals are recommended. Please be aware that
do− it−yourself maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See your “Owner’s Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet” for the details.
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 324 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear.
See page 326 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.

SECTION 6 – 1
295
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Introduction
Vehicle identification296
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Engine compartment overview 297
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Do−it−yourself service precautions 298
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Parts and tools 299
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Positioning the jack 301
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.

INTRODUCTION
298
DOITYOURSELF 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 “Parts and tools” 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 that the ignition is off if you work near the
electric cooling fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans will
automatically start to run if the engine coolant
temperature is high and/or the air conditioning is on.
 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
304
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications305
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Fuel 308
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Facts about engine oil consumption 310
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Used engine oil 311
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Checking the engine oil level 312
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Checking the engine coolant level 315
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Checking the radiator and condenser 317
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Spark plugs 317
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SECTION 6 – 3
318
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications319
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Checking brake fluid 322
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Checking power steering fluid 323
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Checking tire pressure 324
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Rotating tires 326
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Checking and replacing tires 326
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Installing snow tires and chains 329
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Replacing wheels 330
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Aluminum wheel precautions 331
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Suspension and chassis 332
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CHASSIS
327
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.
Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared in accordance with
regulations issued by the National Highway T raffic Safety
Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
It provides the purchasers and/or prospective purchasers
of Lexus vehicles with information on uniform tire quality
grading.
Your Lexus dealer will help answer any questions you may
have as you read this information.
DOT quality grades All passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades. Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example: Treadwear 200
Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear − The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 − 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C − The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C, and they represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.