cooling LEXUS RX330 2006 User Guide

AIR CONDITIONING
256— The outside of the windshield
For best results, set controls to:
For automatic operation —
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
For manual operation —
Fan speed — To the desired fan speed
Temperature — Towards high temperature
Air intake — OUTSIDE AIR
Air flow — WINDSHIELD
When the windshield air flow button is pushed, air flows mainly
from the windshield vents and turns on the defrosting function
with the purpose of clearing the front view.
Pushing this button once again returns the air flow mode to the
last one used. This
button allows the air intake to select OUTSIDE AIR mode
automatically. This is to clean up the front view more quickly.
If you want to return the setting to RECIRCULATED AIR mode,
push the air intake control button once again.
Push the “A/C” button for dehumidified heating or cooling. This
setting clears the front view more quickly.
 To heat the vehicle interior while defrosting the windshield,
choose floor/windshield air flow.

STARTING AND DRIVING
384
ENGINE EXHAUST CAUTION
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust. It contains
carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless
gas. It can cause unconsciousness or even death.
 Make sure the exhaust system has no holes or loose
connections. The system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something, or notice a change
in the sound of the exhaust, have the system checked
immediately.
 Do not run the engine in a garage or enclosed area
except for the time needed to drive the vehicle in or
out. The exhaust gases cannot escape, making this
a particularly dangerous situation.
 Do not remain for a long time in a parked vehicle with
the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however, do
so only in an unconfined area and adjust the heating
or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle.
 Keep the back door closed while driving. An open or
unsealed back door may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle.
 To allow proper operation of your vehicle’s
ventilation system, keep the inlet grilles in front of the
windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other
obstructions.
 If you smell exhaust fumes in the vehicle, drive with
the windows open and the back door closed. Have
the cause immediately located and corrected.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
500B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning.
Check the following.

Is the cooling fan operating?
 Is the coolant in the acceptable range?
 Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
 Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the
engine and radiator are hot. Serious injury could
result from scalding hot fluid and steam blown out
under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the
acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus
dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your
vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible
by your Lexus dealer.
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight
line. Move cautiously off the road to a safe place
— well away from the traffic. Avoid stopping on the
center divider of a highway. Park on a level spot with
firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency
flashers.
3. F i r m l y s e t t h e p a r k i n g b r a k e a n d p u t t h e
transmission in “P”.
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side
away from traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.

INTRODUCTION
539
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1Power steering fluid
reservoir
2Engine oil level
dipstick
3Engine oil filler cap
4Brake fluid reservoir
5Fuse box
6Battery
7Radiator
8Condenser
9Electric cooling fans
10Engine coolant
reservoir
11Washer fluid tank

INTRODUCTION
541
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 543.
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 and other fluids 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 leave anything that may burn easily, such as
paper or rags, in the engine compartment.
 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.
 Be sure that the ignition is off if you work near the
electric cooling fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans will
automatically start to run if the engine coolant
temperature is high and/or the air conditioning is on.

ENGINE
550— COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
9.5 L (10.0 qt., 8.4 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene glyco\
l
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 is a combination of low phosphates and
organic acids.)
Do not use plain water alone.
NOTE:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is used in your Lexus vehicle at factory fil\
l. In order to avoid technical problems, only use “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. (Coolant with long −life hybrid organic acid technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.) Please contact your Lexus dealer for further deta\
ils.
— IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug — Make DENSO NGK
— Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
— ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Open voltage at 20C (68F):
Charging rates
12.6 — 12.8 V Fully charged
12.2 — 12.4 V Half charged
11.8 — 12.0 V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off]
5 A max.

ENGINE
554
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 under driving conditions such as high
speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0 L per 1000 km (1.1 qt./600 miles,
0.9 Imp. qt./600 miles)
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
560If 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 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. (Coolant with long −life hybrid organic
acid technology is a combination of low phosphates and
organic acids.)
For the U.S.A. — “T oyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture
of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. This coolant
provides protection down to about −35C (− 31F).
For Canada — “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture
of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. This coolant
provides protection down to about −42C (− 44F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.

ENGINE
561
Lexus recommends “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”, 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 Coolant” 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 any 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
590
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or
heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace a damaged wheel, the tire may slip off the
wheel or cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they
may have been subjected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent wheels which have
been straightened may have hidden structural damage and
therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a
leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure
that they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity,
diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus
dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect
handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or snow
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
 Do not use wheels other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Fourwheel drive models:
Do not use wheels of different brands, sizes and
types, as this may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of control.
Initial adjustment of the tire pressure warning system is
necessary after you have replaced your wheels. See “Tire
pressure warning system” on page 462.