engine oil Lexus GX470 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 GX470 (OM60979U) User Guide

INTRODUCTION
406
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 407.
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 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.
 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.
 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.

INTRODUCTION
407
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 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.
 Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid 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.
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):
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
See page 420 for details about engine oil selection.
Tools:
 Rag or paper towel
 Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or equivalent
See “Checking the engine coolant level” on page 422 for
instructions.
 Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
 Funnel (only for adding coolant)

SECTION 6 – 2
410
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications411
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Fuel 414
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 416
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 417
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 418
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 419
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 422
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser 423
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 424
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .

62Z002
Outside temperature
ENGINE
412 LUBRICATION SYSTEM
Oil capacity Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
6.2 L (6.5 qt., 5.5 lmp.qt.)
5.7 L (6.0 qt., 5.0 lmp.qt.)
Oil gradeAPI grade SL “Energy− Conserving” or ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
NOTE:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is filled in your Lexus vehicle. Use Lexus approv\
ed “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to sat isfy
the above grade and viscosity. Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.

ENGINE
417
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. The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed by high
−speed driving and frequent
acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in
mind that the oil may have become diluted, making it
difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.

ENGINE
418
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.

ENGINE
419
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off,
check the oil level on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot.
After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under the end and wipe it
clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstick and push it in as far as it will go, or the
reading will not be correct.
 1 Add oil2 O.K.3 Too full
4. Pull the dips tick out and look at the oil level while holding a
rag under the end. If it is between the low level mark (
4
) and
the full level mark ( 5
), it is O.K.
NOTICE
Be careful not to drop the engine oil on the vehicle
components.

ENGINE
420
If the oil level is below or only slightly above the low line,
add engine oil of the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine oil a little at a time,
checking the dipstick. We recommend that you use a funnel
when adding oil. The approximate quantity of oil needed to fill
between the low line and the full line on the dipstick is indicated
below for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct range, return the filler
cap and turn the cap clockwise until you hear a click.
Oil quantity. L (qt., lmp. qt.) 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)
NOTICE
 Be careful not to spill the 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 filled 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: SAE 5W −30
62Z002
Outside temperature
SAE 5W30 is the best choice, for good fuel economy and
good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W30 oil is not available, SAE 10W30 may be
used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W30 at
the next oil change.

ENGINE
421
Oil identification marks
 API Service Symbol  ILSAC Certification Mark
Either or both API registered marks are added to some oil
containers to help you select the oil you should use.
 The API Service Symbol is located anywhere on the outside
of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil quality by API
(American Petroleum Institute) designation such as SL.
The center portion of the label shows the SAE viscosity
grade such as SAE 5W −30. “Energy− Conserving”, shown
in the lower portion, indicates that the oil has fuel −saving
capabilities.
 The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee) Certification Mark is displayed on the
front of the container. To ensure excellent lubrication performance for your engine,
the “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” range is available, which has
been specifically tested and approved for all Lexus engines.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details of the
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” range.

GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or
higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of
premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended.
 Fuel tank capacity:
87 L (2 3 gal., 19.1 lmp.gal.)
 Engine oil:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL “Energy −Conserving” or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 5W −30
Oil capacity:
Drain and refill with filter 6.2 L (6.5 qt., 5.5 lmp.qt .)
without filter 5.7 L (6.0 qt., 5.0 lmp.qt .)
See page 419 for detailed information. 
Engine coolant:
Capacity: 12.9 L (13.6 qt., 11.4 lmp.qt .)
Coolant type − ”Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or
equivalent
With ethylene −glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
For checking the engine coolant, see page 422.
 Automatic transmission:
Fluid type − “Toyota Genuine ATF Type T −IV”
See page 428 for detailed information.
 Tire information:
See pages 432 through 440 for detailed information.
 Tire pressure:
Tire size: P265/65R17 110S
Tire pressure: 220kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi)