2003 Lexus ES300 fuel

ENGINE
308
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller
fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with
leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5−M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will
cause the threeway catalytic converter to lose its
effectiveness and the emission control system to
function improperly. Also, this can increase
maintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended. Use of unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating or Research
Octane Number lower than stated above will cause persistent
heavy
knocking. If it is severe, this will lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus
dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice light knocking for a
short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contain
detergent a dditives to avoid buildup of engine deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local gasoline
retailer.
Quality gasoline
Automobile manufacturers in U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specificat ion for quality fuel named
WorldWide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be
applied world wide. The WWFC consists of three
categories that depend on required emission levels. In the
U.S., category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC improves
air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle
fleets, and customer satisfaction through better vehicle
performance.

ENGINE
309
Cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated
gasoline that contains oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE is available in many areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and
appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of
gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce
vehicle emissions, and improve air quality.
Oxygenates in gasoline
Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline
where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it has
an octane rating no lower than 87.
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline containing
methanol.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains
MMT. If fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control
system may be adversely affected. The Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this happens,
contact your Lexus dealer for service.
Gasoline quality
In a very few cases, you may exper ience driveability problems
caused by the particular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability, try changing
gasoline brands. If this does not rectify your problem, then
consult your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
 Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will
cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
 If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot
starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue
its use.
 Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.
Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)

ENGINE
310
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling
the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine
oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders.
A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure
generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of
this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as
some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by
the high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves.
Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel.
High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems.
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.

ENGINE
311
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 “Checking the
engine oil level” on page 312.
USED ENGINE OIL
CAUTION
 Used engine oil contains potentially harmful
contaminants which m ay cause skin disorders such
as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should be
taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact with
it. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
 Do not leave used oil within the reach of children.
 Dispose of used oil and used oil filters only in a safe
and acceptable manner. Do not dispose of used oil
and used oil filters in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your Lexus dealer or a service
station for information concerning recycling or
disposal.

ENGINE
314
Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is filled in your Lexus vehicle. Use
Lexus approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to
satisfy the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: API grade SL “Energy −Conserving” or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil
Recommended viscosity: SAE 5W −30
62Z002
Outside temperature
SAE 5W30 is the best choice for good fuel economy and
good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W30 is not available, SAE 10W30 may be used.
However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W30 at the next
oil change.
Oil identification marks
SOIL11
 API Service Symbol ILSAC Certification Mark
Either or both API registered marks are added to some oil
containers to help you select the oil you should use.
 The API Service Symbol is located anywhere on the outside
of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil quality by API
(American Petroleum Institut e) designation such as SL.
The center portion of the label shows the SAE viscosity
grade such as SAE 5W −30. “Energy− Conserving”, shown
in the lower portion, indicates that the oil has fuel −saving
capabilities.
 The ILSAC (International L ubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee) Certification Mark is displayed on the
front of the container.

CHASSIS
324
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be
damaged.
CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the
vehicle capacity weight are given on the label.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at
least once a month. And don’t forget the spare! The air
pressure for the spare tire should be adjusted according to the
conditions in the table on page 321.
Incorrect tire pressure may waste fuel, reduce the comfort of
driving, reduce tire life and make your vehicle less safe to drive.
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus
dealer.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
337
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 ABS NO.47.5
Anti−lock brake system,
vehicle skid control system,
traction control system, brake
assist system
2 A/F25Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
3 DOOR125
Multiplex communication
system (power door lock
system, auto −door locking
system, wireless remote
control system)
4 TEL5No circuit
5 AM230All components in “IGN” and
“IG2” fuses and starting system
6 EFI20Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
7 ALTS5Charging system
8 HEAD LH
UPR10Left −hand headlight (high
beam)
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
9 ETCS10Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system
10 HORN10Horns
11 IGN15Starting system
12 HEAD RH
UPR10Right −hand headlight (high
beam)
13 HAZ15Emergency flashers
14 D.C.C30All components in “ECU− B”,
“RAD NO.1” and “DOME” fuses
15 IG210
Multiport fuel injection
system/sequential multiport
fuel injection system, SRS
airbag system, front seat belt
pretensioners, cruise control
system
16 ST5Starting system
17 ADJ PDL30Power adjustable pedals
18 CDS30Electric cooling fan

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
338
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
19 ABS NO.240
Anti−lock brake system,
vehicle skid control system,
traction control system, brake
assist system
20 MAIN40
All components in “HEAD LH
LWR”, “HEAD RH LWR”, “HEAD
LH UPR”, “HEAD RH UPR” and
“DRL” fuses
21 ABS NO.340
Anti −lock brake system,
vehicle skid control system,
traction control system, brake
assist system
22 HTR50Air conditioning system
23 RDI30Electric cooling fan
24 SPARE5Spare fuse
25 SPARE10Spare fuse
26 ABS NO.160
All components in “RDI FAN”,
“ABS NO.2”, “ABS NO.3”,
“CDS”, “HTR (50 A)” and “ADJ
PDL” fuses and anti −lock brake
system, vehicle skid control
system, traction control
system, brake assist system
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
27 ALT120
All components in “DEF”, “PWR
NO.1”, “PWR NO.2”, “PWR
NO.3”, “PWR NO.4”, “STOP”,
“DOOR NO.2”, “OBD”, “PWR
SEAT”, “FUEL OPEN”, “FOG”,
“AMP”, “PANEL”, “TAIL”,
“AM1”, “CIG”, “POWER
POINT”, “RAD NO.2”,
“ECU− ACC”, “GAUGE1”,
“GAUGE2”, “ECU− IG”,
“WIPER”, “WASHER”, “HTR
(10 A)”, “SEAT HTR” and
“SUN− SHADE” fuses
28 SPARE15Spare fuse
29 A/C10Air conditioning system
30 DRL5Daytime running light system
31 HEAD RH
LW R15Right −hand headlight (low
beam)
32 HEAD LH
LW R15Left −hand headlight (low
beam) and front fog lights