2006 LEXUS LS430 radiator

252
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed at
the interval specified in the Owner’s Manual Supplement. It is recommended
that any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your Lexus
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
ItemsCheck points
Battery• Maintenance-free. ( P. 2 7 3 )
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 2 7 0 )
Engine coolant• At the correct level? ( P. 2 6 8 )
Engine oil• At the correct level? ( P. 2 6 3 )
Exhaust system• No fumes or strange sound?
Power steering fluid• At the correct level? ( P. 2 7 2 )
Radiator/condenser/ hoses• Not blocked with foreign matter? ( P. 2 6 9 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d•Sufficient? ( P. 2 7 7 )

257
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself maintenancePa r t s a n d t o o l s
Headlight aim 
( P.311)
• Phillips-head screwdriver
Power steering fluid
level
(P. 2 7 2 )
• Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON ll or
lll
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power steering fluid)
Radiator and 
condenser 
(P. 2 6 9 )

Tire inflation pressure 
(P. 2 8 3 )
• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d 
(P. 2 7 7 )
• Washer fluid containing antifreeze 
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding washer fluid)

258
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that many move
suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious
injury:
■When working in the engine compartment:
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold and power steering
fluid reservoir, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. 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 expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. 
Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. 
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When the engine is running
Perform maintenance checks with adequate ventilation
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grill:
Be sure the ignition is off. With the igni tion on, th
e electric cooling fan may automat-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/
or if the coolant temperature is
high. ( P.262 )
■When working on or under the vehicle:
●Do not get under the vehicle with just the jack supporting it. 
Always use automotive jack stands or other solid supports.
●Use eye protection to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get -
ting in your eyes.

262
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Brake fluid reservoir
( P.
2 7 0 )
Fuse Box ( P.298 , P.309 )
Engine oil filler cap 
( P.
2 6 3 )
Engine oil level dipstick 
( P.
2 6 3 )
Washer fluid tank ( P.277 ) Radiator
Condenser
(P.
2 6 9 )
Engine coolant reservoir 
( P.
2 6 8 )
Power steering fluid 
reservoir ( P
.272)
Battery 
(P.
2 7 3 )
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

268
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolant
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines on
the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
Full line
Low line
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“Full” line.
1
2
3
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine c
oolant filler cap, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump. If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap
pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may dama ge y
our engine cooling system.
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar hig
h quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant wi th long-life hybrid organic acid technol-
ogy is a combination of low phosphates and organic acids.)
For the USA : “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% di
stilled or deionized water. (Protects to: -35 C (-31F))
For Canada : “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 4
5% distilled or deionized water. (Protects to: -42 C (-44F))
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.

269
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects. If the parts are
extremely dirty or you are not sure of their condition, have your vehicle checked
by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap. The cooling system may be under pressure and
ma

y spray hot coolant if the cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.
Do not touch the radiator or condenser, as they may be not and may cause burns.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Do not use plain water alone.
■If you spill coolant:
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent damage to parts or point.

5
When trouble arises
359
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
If your engine overheats
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic climate
control.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: 
Stop the engine.
If you do not see steam: 
Leave the engine running and carefully lift the hood.
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: 
Wait until the temperature of the engine (shown in the instrument clus -
ter) begins to fall and then stop the engine.
If the fan is not operating: 
Stop the engine and call your local Lexus dealer.
After the engine has cooled down
sufficiently, check the level of
engine coolant and inspect the
radiator core (radiator) for any
leaks.

360
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Overheating
If you observe the following, your vehicle may be overheating.
• The engine coolant temperatur
e gauge enters the red zone or a loss of power is
experienced.
• Steam is coming out from under the hood.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when in specting under the hood of your vehicle
●Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and other belts while the engine is
running.
●Do not loosen the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are hot. 
Serious injury could result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under
pr
essure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled do wn befor
e adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too quickly
ca
n cause damage to the engine.
Add engine coolant if required.
Water can be used as an emer -
gency measure if engine coolant is
una
vailable.( P.367 )