DRIVING TIPS
452
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure your coolant is properly protected against
freezing.
Only use ”Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” 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 is a combination of low phosphates and
organic acids.)
See “Checking the engine coolant level” on page 527 for
details of coolant type selection.
For the U.S.A.—“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture
of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant
provides protection down to about −35C (− 31F).
For Canada—“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of
55% coolant and 45% deionized water. This coolant provides
protection down to about −42C (− 44F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to pr ovide enough power for winter
starting. Page 571 tells you how to visually inspect the battery.
Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be pleased to
check the battery charge level. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold
weather.
See page 525 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 ”P” 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.
INTRODUCTION
506
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 and exhaust manifold, etc. will be
hot. So be careful not to touch them. Oil and other
fluids may also be hot.
Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as
paper or rags, in the engine compartment.
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 engine switch is off if you work near the
electric cooling fan or radiator grille. With the engine
switch 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.
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 non silicate,
non amine, non nitrite, and non borate coolant with
long life 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.
Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the
wiper frame.
62L042
Outside temperature
ENGINE
513
– LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Oil capacity Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
5.1 L (5.4 qt., 4.5 lmp.qt.)
4.5 L (4.8 qt., 4.0 lmp.qt.)
Oil gradeAPI grade SL “Energy− Conserving” or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended oil viscosity5W−30
NOTE:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Lexus vehicle. Use Lexus approved “T oyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy
the above grade and viscosity. Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
62L042
Outside temperature
ENGINE
516– LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Oil capacity Drain and refillTw o −wheel drive models
with filter
without filter
Four− wheel drive models
with filter
without filter
6.3 L (6.6 qt., 5.5 lmp.qt.)
5.9 L (6.2 qt., 5.1 lmp.qt.)
6.4 L (6.7 qt., 5.6 lmp.qt.)
6.0 L (6.3 qt., 5.2 lmp.qt.)
Oil gradeAPI grade SL “Energy− Conserving” or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended oil viscosity5W−30
NOTE:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in your Lexus vehicle. Use Lexus approved “T oyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to satisfy
the above grade and viscosity. Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
ENGINE
520
FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SYSTEM
The fuel pump shut off system stops supplying fuel to the
engine to minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine
stalls or an airbag inflates upon collision. To restart the engine
after the fuel pump shut off system activates, turn the engine
switch off once and start it.
CAUTION
Inspect the ground under the vehicle before restarting
the engine. If you find that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, it is the fuel system that has been damaged and
it is in need of repair. In this case, do not restart the
engine.
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.
ENGINE
522
USED ENGINE OIL
CAUTION
Used engine oil contains potentially harmful
contaminants which may 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.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
G62001
GS430
G62002
GS300
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off,
check the oil level on the dipstick.
ENGINE
525
NOTICE
Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle
components.
Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick once again after
adding the oil.
Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used 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: 5W−30
62L042
Outside temperature
SAE 5W 30 is the best choice for good fuel economy, and
good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W 30 is not available, SAE10W 30 may be used.
However, it should be replaced with 5W 30 at the next oil
change.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating
of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum
engine performance. However, if such premium 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:
71 L (18.7 gal., 15.6 lmp.gal.)
Engine oil:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL “Energy −Conserving” 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 without filter GS430 5.1 (5.4, 4.5) 4.5 (4.8, 4.0)
GS300 (2WD) 6.3 (6.6, 5.5) 5.9 (6.2, 5.1)
GS300 (4WD) 6.4 (6.7, 5.6) 6.0 (6.3, 5.2)
See page 522 for detailed information.
Engine coolant:
Capacity: GS430 − 10.1 L (10.7 qt., 8.9 lmp.qt.)
GS300 − 9.1 L (9.6 qt., 8.0 lmp.qt.) Coolant type −
”Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” 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 is a combination of low phosphates
and organic acids.)
Do not use plain water alone.
For checking the engine coolant, see page 527.
Automatic transmission:
Fluid type − “Toyota Genuine ATF WS”
See page 532 or 535 for detailed information.
Tire information:
See page 539 through 561 for detailed information.
Tire inflation pressure:
Tire size: GS430 − 245/40R18 93Y or P245/40R18 93V
GS300 − 225/50R17 94W or P225/50R17 93V
Tire inflation pressure:
Front 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 33 psi)
Rear 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add the
tire inflation pressure given below to the front tires and rear
tires, but never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation
pressure molded on the tire sidewall.
GS430 60 kPa (0.6 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 9 psi)
GS300 50 kPa (0.5 kgf/cm2 or bar, 7 psi)