maintenance LEXUS LX470 2006 Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION
398
NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Add only “T oyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based nonsilicate,
nonamine, nonnitrite, and nonborate coolant with
longlife hybrid organic acid technology to fill the
radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water (for
the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45% deionized water
(for Canada).
 If you spill some of the coolant, be sure to wash it off
with water to prevent it from damaging the parts or
paint.
 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, transfer
oil and power steering fluid, or the transmission,
transfer 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
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For recommended
oil viscosity, see page 412.
Tools:
 Rag or paper towel
 Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” 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 Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant
and 50% deionized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant
and 45% deionized water (for Canada).
Tools:
 Funnel (only for adding coolant)

ENGINE
405
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller
fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with
leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5−M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will
cause the threeway catalytic converter to lose its
effectiveness and the emission control system to
function improperly. Also, this can increase
maintenance costs.
Octane rating
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. Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower
than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If
severe, this will lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus
dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice light knocking for a
short
time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
Gasoline containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contains
detergent a dditives to avoid buildup of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains detergent
additives to keep clean and/or clean intake systems.
Quality gasoline
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specificat ion 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 4 has been adopted. The WWFC improves
air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle
fleets, and customer satisfaction through better vehicle
performance.

ENGINE
409
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 m ay 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.
 Do not leave used oil within the reach of children.
 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.

CHASSIS
419
– CHASSIS LUBRICATION
Wheel bearings
Lithium base wheel bearing grease, NLGI No.2
Steering knucklesMolybdenum −disulfide lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2
Propeller shafts
Spider
Slide yokeLithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2
Molybdenum −disulfide lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2 or
lithium base chassis grease, NLGI No.2
– AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Fluid capacity Drain and refill
Up to 3.0 L (3.2 qt., 2.6 lmp.qt.)
Fluid typeToyota Genuine ATF Type WS *
*Change automatic transmission fluid only as necessary.
Generally, it is necessary to change automatic transmission
fluid only if your vehicle is driven under one of the Special
Operating Conditions listed in your “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”. When changing the
automatic transmission fluid, use only “Toyota Genuine ATF
Type WS” (ATF JWS3324 or NWS9638) to aid in assuring
maximum transmission performance.NOTICE
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota
Genuine ATF T ype WS” may cause deterioration in shift
quality, locking up of your transmission accompanied
by vibration, and ultimately damage the automatic
transmission of your vehicle.

CHASSIS
437
ROTATING TIRES
63L020a
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate your tires according to
the maintenance schedule. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the
“Owner’s Manual Supplement / Scheduled
Maintenance”.) However, the most appropriate
timing for tire rotation may vary according to your
driving habits and road surface conditions.
The wheel assemblies must be rotated as illustrated
above.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect
tire inflation pressure, improper wheel alignment,
out−of−balance wheels, or severe braking. Before storing radial, snow or studded tires, mark the
direction of rotation and be sure to install them in the
same
direction when using them again. Tires should be
stored in a cool dry place.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
452
NOTICE
Make sure the engine and all accessories are turned
off before performing maintenance.
 When checking the battery, remove the ground cable
first and reinstall it last.
 Be careful not to cause a short circuit with tools.
 Take care no solution gets into the battery when
washing it.
If the battery terminal is disconnected or the battery is run
down...
 The variable gear ratio steering system is reset temporarily
and “VGRS” warning light flashes after you reconnect the
battery terminal. In this case, you should turn off the light
and return the system to normal. To return the system to
normal, see “Variable gear ratio steering system” on page
293.
 The moon roof may not operate automatically and the jam
protection function will not operate correctly after you
reconnect, replace or recharge the battery with the moon
roof slide −opened or tilted up. In any of these cases, you
should return the moon roof to normal. To return the moon
roof to normal, see “Moon roof” on page 95.
Checking battery condition
(a) Checking by fluid level lines
64X005c
 1 Upper line 2Lower line
The fluid (electrolyte) level must be between the upper and
lower lines.
When checking the fluid level, look at all six cells, not just one
or two.
If the level is lower than the lower line, have the battery
checked by your Lexus dealer.