engine coolant Lexus GX470 2004 Pictorial Index / LEXUS 2004 GX470 THROUGH OCT. 2003 PROD. (OM60A46U) User Guide

MAINTENANCE
489 Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required
maintenance has been performed for warranty coverage. If
any problems should arise with your vehicle while under
warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it. Again,
be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service
performed on your Lexus.
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself, if you
have a little mechanical ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to perform them are
presented in Section 6.
If you are a skilled do-it-yourself mechanic, the Lexus service
manuals are recommended. Please be aware that
do-it-yourself maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See your Owner's Guideº, Owner's Manual
Supplementº or Warranty Bookletº for the details.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified. It is recommended that
any problem you notice be brought to the attention of your
Lexus dealer or qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only with adequate ventilation if you
run the engine.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time,
e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 572 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Fº and Lº lines on
the see-through reservoir when the engine is cold. See page
519 for additional information.
Radiator, condenser and hoses
Check that the front of the radiator and condenser are clean
and not blocked with leaves, dirt, or insects. See page 521 for
additional information.

MAINTENANCE
492
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED
REPAIRING?
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 normalIf 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.

61PY004
INTRODUCTION
499
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1Engine oil level
dipstick
2Engine oil filler cap
3Brake fluid reservoir
4Fuse box
5Battery
6Condenser
7Electric cooling fan
8Radiator
9Engine coolant
reservoir
10Washer fluid tank
11Power steering fluid
reservoir

INTRODUCTION
504
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 Oilº or equivalent
See page 518 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 Super Long Life Coolantº or similar high quality
ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite,
and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology
Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant provides
protection down to about -35C (-31F).
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)

SECTION 6 ± 2
506
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications507 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel510 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system513 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption513 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil514 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level515 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level519 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the radiator and condenser521 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs522 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
509 Ð COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
12.9 L (13.6 qt., 11.4 lmp.qt.)
Coolant typeToyota Super Long Life Coolantº or similar high quality
ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite,
and non-borate coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology
Do not use plain water alone.
NOTE:
Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº is filled in your Lexus vehicle at factory fill. In order to avoid technical problems, only use Toyota
Super Long Life Coolantº or similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology. Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
Ð FUEL
Fuel type
Only UNLEADED
Octane rating87 (Research octane number 91) or higher
Ð IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug Ð Make
DENSO
NGK
Ð Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
Ð ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
12.6 Ð 12.8 V Fully charged
12.2 Ð 12.4 V Half charged
11.8 Ð 12.0 V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed
with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE
519 To ensure excellent lubrication performance for your engine,
Toyota Genuine Motor Oilº 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 Oilº.
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL

1Reservoir cap2Fº (upper) line
3Lº (lower) line
Look at the see-through coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the Fº and Lº lines on the reservoir. If the level
is low, add the coolant. (For the coolant type, see Coolant
type selectionº described below.)
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the Lº line,
add coolant. Bring the level up to the Fº line.

ENGINE
520If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing,
there may be a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator,
hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap and drain cock
and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the radiator
cap pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator
cap when the engine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage your engine cooling
system.
Only use Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº 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 consists of the combination of low phosphates
and organic acids.)
Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº is pre- mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant provides
protection down to about -35C (-31F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.

ENGINE
521 Lexus recommends Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº which
has been tested to ensure that it will not cause corrosion nor
result in malfunction of your engine coolant system with proper
usage. Toyota Super Long Life Coolantº is formulated with
long- life hybrid organic acid technology and has been
specifically designed to avoid engine cooling system
malfunction on Lexus vehicles.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
CHECKING THE RADIATOR AND
CONDENSER
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not
sure of their condition, take your vehicle to a Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, be careful not to touch the
radiator or condenser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator and condenser, do
not perform the work by yourself.

CHASSIS
540
Tire related terms
Cold tire inflation
pressureTire inflation pressure when the vehicle has been parked at least 3 hours or
more, or it has not been driven more than 1.5 km or 1 mile under that condition
Maximum inflation
pressureThe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated and shown
on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended
inflation pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manufacturer
Accessory weightThe combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be replaced)
of automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weightThe weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditioning and
additional weight optional engine
Maximum loaded
vehicle weightThe sum of Ð
(a) Curb weight;
(b) Accessory weight;
(c) Vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant
weight68 kg (150 lb.) times the number of occupants specified in the second column of
Table 1 that follows