oil viscosity Lexus GX470 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60A45U)

Page 357 of 483

DRIVING TIPS
344
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each
day of offroad driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled
maintenance information, refer to the “Owner’s
Manual Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure your coolant is properly protected against
freezing.
Your coolant must contain ethylene −glycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use
“Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant” or equivalent. See
“Checking the engine coolant level” on page 422 for
instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60% solution
for your Lexus, to provide protection down to about −50C
(−58 F). Do not use more than 70% solution for better coolant
performance.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 447 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 420 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.

Page 425 of 483

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.

Page 430 of 483

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.

Page 433 of 483

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.

Page 434 of 483

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,
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is available, which has been
specifically tested and approved for all Lexus engines.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details about
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil”.

Page 440 of 483

CHASSIS
427
SPECIFICATIONS
DIFFERENTIALOil capacity Front
Rear
1.4 L (1.5 qt., 1.2 lmp.qt.)
3.1 L (3.3 qt., 2.7 lmp.qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL −5
Oil viscosityAbove − 18C (0F): SAE 90
Below − 18C (0F): SAE 80W or SAE 80W −90
TRANSFER
Oil capacity
1.4 L (1.5 qt., 1.2 lmp.qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL −5
Recommended oil viscositySAE 75W− 90

Page 483 of 483

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)