2005 LEXUS LS430 Check transmission

DRIVING TIPS
389
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. Adjust
the tire inflation pressure to the recommended cold tire
inflation pressure indicated below:
Tire inflation pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
P225/55R17 95H Front 220 (2.2, 32) Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
245/45R18 96W Front 230 (2.3, 33) Rear 230 (2.3, 33)
P245/45R18 96V Front 230 (2.3, 33) Rear 230 (2.3, 33)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the
total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
 Trailer lights must comply with federal, state/provincial and
local regulations. See your local recreational vehicle dealer
or rental agency for the correct type of wiring and relays for
your trailer. Check for correct operation of the turn signals
and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle’s electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Breakin schedule
 Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new
vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train component
(engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) for
the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
Maintenance
 If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the “Owner’s Manual Supplement /
Scheduled Maintenance”.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pretowing safety check
 Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose −up or nose− down condition, and check
for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or
other possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it
cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
392
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy − just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
 Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
 Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
 Avoid lengthy warmup idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving − but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
 Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the “D” position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy
(For details, see “Automatic transmission” on page 305.)
 Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
 Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
 Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling. 
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
405
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 engine 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.
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place − well away
from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of
a highway. Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission
in “P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away
from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:
 Follow jacking instructions.
 Do not put any part of your body under a vehicle
supported by a jack. Otherwise, personal injury
may occur.
 Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle
is supported by the jack.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
423
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position to
other positions even though the brake pedal is depressed,
use the shift lock override button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” or “ACC”. Make sure the
parking brake is applied.
40L214
2. Pry up the cover with a flat −bladed screwdriver or
equivalent.
40L215
3. Push down the shift lock override button. You can shift out
of “P” position only while pushing the button.
4. Shift into “N” position.
Insert the cover. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.

MAINTENANCE
429
Accelerator pedal
Check
the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission “Park” mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in “P” position and all brakes released.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to time,
unless otherwise specified.
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, operate smoothly and
all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood
secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch is
released.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
loading and information label. See page 468 for
additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 481 for additional information.

INTRODUCTION
438
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.NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Add only “T oyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based nonsilicate,
nonamine, nonnitrite, and nonborate coolant with
longlife hybrid organic acid technology to fill the
radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water (for
the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45% deionized water
(for Canada).
 If you spill some of the coolant, be sure to wash it off
with water to prevent it from damaging the parts or
paint.
 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 backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
 If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash it off with water
to prevent it from damaging the parts or paint.
 Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, transfer
oil and power steering fluid, or the transmission and
power steering could be damaged.
 Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the
wiper frame.

INTRODUCTION
440
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
\bII 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

CHASSIS
467
CHECKING POWER STEERINGFLUID
63L011a
Check the fluid level on the through the reservoir. If
necessary, add automatic transmission fluid DEXRON\bII
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.
63L012a
 1 If cold O.K. 2If hot O.K. 3If cold add
4If hot add
Clean all dirt off the reservoir and look at the fluid level. If the
fluid is cold, the level should be in the “COLD” range. Similarly,
if it is hot, the fluid level should be in the “HOT” range. If th\
e
level is at the low side of the appropriate range, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRON
\bII or III to bring the level within
the range.
To remove the reservoir cap, turn it counterclockwise and lift
up. To reinstall it, turn it clockwise. After replacing the reservoir
cap, visually check the steering box case, vane pump and hose
connections for leaks or damage.