2004 Lexus IS300 coolant temperature

MAINTENANCE
312
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.
03 07.09

INTRODUCTION
319
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 320.
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.
03 07.09

ENGINE
337
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 the coolant. (For the coolant type, see
Coolant type selectionº described below.)
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.
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.
Only use ºToyota Super Long Life Coolantº or similar high
quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology. (Coolant with long-life hybrid organic
acid technology consists of the combination of low phosphates
and organic acids.)
ºToyota Super Long Life Coolantº is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant provides
protection down to about -35 C (-31F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Lexus recommends ºToyota Super Long Life Coolantº which
has been tested to ensure that it will not cause corrosion nor
result in malfunction of your engine coolant system with proper
usage. ºToyota Super Long Life Coolantº is formulated with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology and has been
specifically designed to avoid engine cooling system
malfunction on Lexus vehicles.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
03 07.09

cv3
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:
ºToyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL ºEnergy-Conservingº 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 335 for detailed information.

Engine coolant:
Capacity: 7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type - ºToyota Super Long Life Coolantº or
similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology
Do not use plain water alone. For checking the engine coolant, see page 337.

Automatic transmission:
Fluid type - Toyota Genuine ATF Type T-IV
See page 340 for detailed information.

Tire information:
See page 349 through 371 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
Sedan 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
SportCross Front: 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
Rear: 90kPa (0.9 kgf/cm2, 0.9 bar, 15 psi)
03 07.09