2006 Lexus GX470 service

MAINTENANCE
488
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.

MAINTENANCE
489
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE (I/M) PROGRAMS
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs
which include OBD (On −Board Diagnostics) checks.
The OBD system monitors the operation of the emission
control system. When the OBD system determines that a
problem exists somewhere in the emission control system, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. In this case, your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test and need to be repaired. Contact
your Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
Even if the malfunction indicator lamp does not come on, your
vehicle may not pass the I/M test as readiness codes have not
been set in the OBD system.
Readiness codes are automatically set during ordinary driving.
However, when the battery is disconnected or run down, the
codes are erased. Also, depending on your driving habits, the
codes may not be completely set.
Also, if the malfunction indicator lamp had come on recently
due to temporary malfunction such as a loose fuel tank cap,
your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after taking several
driving trips, but the error code in the OBD system will not be
cleared unless about 40 trips or more are taken. If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test and the malfunction
indicator
lamp does not come on, contact your Lexus dealer to
prepare the vehicle for re −testing.

SECTION 6 – 1
491
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Introduction
Vehicle identification492
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
Theft prevention labels 493
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 494
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do−it−yourself service precautions 496
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 498
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .

INTRODUCTION
496
DOITYOURSELF 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 “Parts and tools” on page 498.
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, other fluids and spark
plugs may also be hot.
 If the engine is hot, do not remove the radiator cap or
loosen the drain plugs to prevent burning yourself.
 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 that the ignition is off if you work near the
electric cooling fan or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fan will automatically
start to run if the air conditioning is on.

SECTION 6 – 2
501
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications502
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Fuel 506
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 508
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 509
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 510
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 511
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 514
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 516
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 516
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .

ENGINE
507
Quality gasoline
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specification for quality fuel named
WorldWide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be
applied world wide. The WWFC consists of four
categories that depend on required emission levels. In the
U.S., category 3 or 4 has been adopted. The WWFC
improves air quality by providing for better emissions in
vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction through better
vehicle performance.
Cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated
gasoline that contains oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE is available in many areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and
appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of
gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce
vehicle emissions, and improve air quality.
Oxygenates in gasoline
Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline
where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it has
an octane rating no lower than 91.
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline containing
methanol.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains
MMT. If fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control
system may be adversely affected. The Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this happens,
contact your Lexus dealer for service.

ENGINE
510
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum level so
that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential
that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus recommends that
the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to
serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see “Checking the
engine oil level” described below.
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.
 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.
 Do not leave used oil within the reach of children.

SECTION 6 – 3
517
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications518
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 521
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
.
Checking power steering fluid 522
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure 523
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information 527
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Types of tires 536
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
Rotating tires 537
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 538
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 540
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 543
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 544
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 544
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .