DRIVING TIPS
271
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold
weather.
See page 335 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Lexus dealer ± they will be pleased to help.
Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt
lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute
because it may damage your vehicle's paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ªPº (automatic) or into
first or reverse (manual) and block the front wheels. Do not use
the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around
the parking brake mechanism may freeze the parking brake,
making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of
the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
04 06.30
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
285
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 ªPº (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.
04 06.30
MAINTENANCE
311
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ªParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ªPº position and all brakes released.
Vehicle exterior
Items
listed below should be performed from time to time,
unless otherwise specified.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after
the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid or back door, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine
hood secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch
is released.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure with a gauge every two
weeks, or at least once a month and adjust as shown on
the tire and loading information label. See page 351 for
additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 368 for additional information.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the maintenance schedule.
(For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the ªOwner's Manual Supplementº or ªScheduled
Maintenanceº.) See page 366 or 367 for additional
information.
04 06.30
INTRODUCTION
320
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a short circuit.
Add only ªT oyota Super Long Life Coolantº or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non±silicate, non± amine, non±nitrite, and non±borate coolant withlong±life hybrid organic acid technology to fill theradiator. ªToyota Super Long Life Coolantº is a mix-ture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water (for the
U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45% deionized water (forCanada).
If you spill some of the coolant, be sure to wash it offwith water to prevent it from damaging the parts orpaint.
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):
ªToyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL ªEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see page 335.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
ªToyota 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.
ªToyota Super Long Life Coolantº is a mixture of 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45% deionized water (for Canada).
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)
04 06.30
INTRODUCTION
321
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING POWER STEERING FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING BATTERY CONDITION
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE BLADE
TYPE FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Fuse with same amperage rating as original
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGE TYPE FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same amperage
rating as original
ADDING WASHER FLUID
Parts:
Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Tools:
Funnel
04 06.30
CHASSIS
342
SPECIFICATIONS
± MANUAL TRANSMISSIONOil capacity
2.6 L (2.7 qt., 2.3 lmp.qt.)
Oil typeMultipurpose gear oil API GL±4 or GL±5
Recommended oil viscositySAE 75W±90
± DIFFERENTIALOil capacity
1.15 L (1.22 qt., 1.01 lmp.qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL±5
Oil viscosityAbove ±18C (0F): SAE 90
Below ±18 C (0F): SAE 80W or SAE 80W±90
± AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Fluid capacity Drain and refill
2.0 L (2.1 qt., 1.8 lmp.qt.)
Fluid typeToyota Genuine ATF Type T ± IV*
*:Change automatic transmission fluid only as necessary.
Generally, it is necessary to change automatic transmission
fluid only if your vehicle is driven under one of the Special
Operating Conditions listed in your ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenanceº. When changing the
automatic transmission fluid, use only ªToyota Genuine ATF
Type T±IVº ( ATF JWS3309 or NWS6500) to aid in assuring
optimum transmission performance.NOTICE
Using automatic transmission fluid other than ªToyota Genuine ATF Type T±IVº may cause deterioration inshift quality, locking up of your transmissionaccompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage theautomatic transmission of your vehicle.
04 06.30
CHASSIS
343
± CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay
5 ± 15 mm (0.2 ± 0.6 in.)
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
± BRAKESPedal clearance *
199 mm (3.9 in.) Min.
Pedal free play1 ± 6 mm (0.04 ±0.24 in.)
Brake pad wear limit1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
Parking brake lining wear limit1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
Parking brake adjustment *25 ± 8 clicks
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
*1:Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with the force of 490 N (49 kgf\
, 110 lbf) with the engine running
*
2:Parking brake adjustment when pulled with the force of 196 N (20 kgf, \
44 lbf)
± STEERING Free play
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
04 06.30
CHASSIS
350
CHECKING POWER STEERINGFLUID
SV63002
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If necessary, add
automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80 km/h (50 mph) for 20
minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is hot
(60 C ± 80C or 140F ± 175F). You may also check the level
when the fluid is cold (about room temperature, 10 C ± 30C
or 50F ± 85F) if the engine has not been run for about five
hours.
SV63003
1If cold O.K. 2If hot O.K. 3Add fluid
1. Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
2. Remove the reservoir cap by turning it counterclockwise
and wipe the dipstick clean.
3. Reinstall the reservoir cap.
4. Remove the reservoir cap again and look at the fluid level.
If the fluid is cold, the level should be in the ªCOLDº range on
the dipstick. Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level should be in the
ªHOTº range. If the level is at the low side of either range, add
automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III to bring the
level within the range.
5. After replacing the reservoir cap, visually check the
steering box case, vane pump and hose connections for leaks
or damage.
04 06.30