2003 Lexus IS300 coolant

MAINTENANCE
296
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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

INTRODUCTION
301
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1Battery
2Fuse box
3Engine oil filler cap
4Engine oil leveldipstick
5Brake fluid reservoir
6Washer fluid tank
7Power steering fluidreservoir
8Engine coolantreservoir
9Electric cooling fans
10Condenser
11Radiator
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
SV61007a

INTRODUCTION
302
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 303.
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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

INTRODUCTION
303
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):

ºToyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL ºEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see
page 317.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

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

ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 319 for
instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

SECTION 6 ± 2
307
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications308
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Fuel 311
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 313
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 313
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 315
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 319
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 320
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 321
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

ENGINE
310± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
Coolant typeºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection o\
f
aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
NOTE:
ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº is filled in your Lexus vehicle. In order \
to avoid technical problems, we strongly recommend using
ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or equivalent. Please contact your \
Lexus dealer for further details.
± FUEL
Fuel type
Only UNLEADED
Octane rating91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO ± Gap
SK16R±P11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Open voltage at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates
12.7 V Fully charged
12.3 V Half charged
11.9 V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off]
5A max.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

ENGINE
319
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANTLEVEL
SV62006

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Look at the see±through coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between theºFULLº and ºLº lines on the reservoir. If the
level is low, add ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the ºLº line,
add coolant. Bring the level up to the ºFULLº line.
Always use ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components. See information in the
next column. If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing,
there
may be a leak in the system. V isually check the radiator,
hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap and drain cock
and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap
pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage your engine cooling
system. Your coolant must contain ethylene±glycol type
coolant for a proper corrosion protection of your engine that
contains aluminum components. We have used ºToyota
Genuine Long Life Coolantº in your Lexus vehicle. In order to
avoid technical problems, we strongly recommend using
ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and subsequent damage to
the engine, this type of coolant will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or additives are neither
needed nor recommended.
Read the coolant container for information on freeze
protection. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how much
to mix with plain water (preferably demineralized water or
distilled water). The total capacity of the cooling system is
given on page 310.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

ENGINE
320We recommend to use 50% solution for your Lexus, to provide
protection
down to about ±35 C (±31F). When it is extremely
cold, to provide protection down to about ±50C (±58F), 60%
solution is recommended. Do not use more than 70% solution
for better coolant performance.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
The engine cooling system is integral to maximizing
performance of your Lexus vehicle. In line with this, it is
strongly recommended that you use ºToyota Genuine Long
Life Coolantº for protecting the system, as it is an
ethylene±glycol based premium antifreeze coolant with
excellent corrosion protection properties that has been
specifically formulated for use in Lexus vehicles.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details of the
ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº range.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR AND CONDENSER
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not
sure of their condition, take you vehicle to Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent yourself from burning, be careful not to
touch the radiator or co ndenser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator and condenser, do
not perform the work by yourself.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)