gas type LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

Page 569 of 651

ENGINE
548
SPECIFICATIONS
— GENERALModel
3.3 L V6 (3MZ− FE)
Type6 cylinder V type, 4 cycle, gasoline
Bore and stroke92  83 mm (3.62  3.27 in.)
Displacement3311 cm3 (202.1 cu. in.)
Valve clearance (engine cold)
Intake
Exhaust0.15 — 0.25 mm (0.006 — 0.010 in.)
0.25 — 0.35 mm (0.010 — 0.014 in.)
Drive belt tension (with Borroughs drive belt
tension gauge No. BT− 33−73F)125  10 lb.
— FUEL
Fuel type
Unleaded gasoline only
Octane Rating91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher

Page 572 of 651

ENGINE
551
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
Premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher required for
optimum e ngine performance. However, if such premium
type cannot be obtained, you may use unleaded gasoline
with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane
Number 91).
Use of unleaded fuel with an Octane Rating or Research
Octane Number lower than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is 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 additives 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.

Page 573 of 651

ENGINE
552
Quality gasoline
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specification 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 requi red 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.
Cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated
gasoline that contains oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE is available in many areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and
appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of
gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce
vehicle emissions, and improve air quality.
Oxygenates in gasoline
Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline
where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it has
an octane rating no lower than 91.
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline containing
methanol.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains
MMT. If fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control
system may be adversely affected. The Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this happens,
contact your Lexus dealer for service.

Page 625 of 651

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
604Check the battery condition by the indicator color.
Type A —
1BLUE — Good condition
2WHITE — Charging necessary. Have the battery
checked by your Lexus dealer.
3RED — Have the battery checked by your Lexus dealer.
Type B —
1GREEN — Good condition
2DARK — Charging necessary. Have the battery checked
by your Lexus dealer.
3CLEAR or LIGHT YELLOW — Have the battery checked
by your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
Do not refill the battery with water.
BATTERY RECHARGING PRECAUTIONS
During recharging, the battery is producing hydrogen
gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be
sure to disconnect the ground cable.
2. Make sure the power switch on the recharger is off when
connecting the charger cables to the battery and when
disconnecting them.
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an unconfined area. Do
not charge the battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventilation.
 Only do a slow charge (5 A or less). Charging at a
quicker rate is dangerous. The battery may explode
causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running.
Also, be sure all accessories are turned off.

Page 632 of 651

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
611
REPLACING LIGHT BULBS
The illustration on the following pages show the locations of
light bulbs. If it is necessary to replace a bulb, take your vehicle
to your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Use bulbs with the
bulb numbers and wattage ratings given in the table.
The stop lights consist of a number of LEDs. If two or more
LEDs burn out, your vehicle may not conform to local laws
(SAE). If this occurs, take your vehicle to your Lexus dealer to
have the light replaced.
CAUTION
 To prevent burning yourself, do not replace the light
bulbs while they are hot.
 Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
require special handling. They can burst or shatter if
scratched or dropped. Hold a bulb only by its plastic
or metal case. Do not touch the glass part of a bulb
with bare hands.
Vehicles with power back door system —
 When replacing the rear light bulbs, turn off the
power back door system.
Vehicles with discharge headlights —
Do not touch the high voltage socket when the low
beam headlight turns on. 20000 V is momentarily
generated and may cause severe injury by electric
shock.
 Do not disassemble, repair or take apart the low beam
headlight bulbs, connector, power supply circuits
and rotated components. Or you may be injured by
electric shocks. Call your dealer when the headlights
fail to work or have to be replaced or disposed of.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
The inside of the lens of exterior lights such as headlights may
temporarily fog up when the lens becomes wet in the rain or in
a car wash. This is not a problem because the fogging is
caused by the temperature difference between the outside and
inside of the lens, just like the windshield fogs up in the rain.
However, if there is a large drop of water on the inside of the
lens, or if there is water pooled inside the light, contact your
Lexus dealer.

Page 641 of 651

BODY
620Fuel
filler door: Do not apply water (high −pressure car wash,
for example) at or near the fuel tank inlet with the fuel filler door
opened. If the water enters the air vent, you may experience
trouble with refueling or rough engine idling.
Electronically modulated air suspension: Do not spray a jet
of high−pressure water at the air suspension unit, especially
the air spring, at an extremely close range. This may damage
the air suspension.
Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic wheel ornaments are
damaged easily by organic substances. If any organic
substance splash an ornament, be sure to wash them off with
water and check if the ornament is damaged.
Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent.
Plastic bumpers and side moldings: Wash carefully. Do not
scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper and side molding
faces are soft.
Exterior lights: Wash carefully. Do not use organic
substances or scrub them with a hard brush. This may damage
the surfaces of the lights.
Road tar: Remove with turpentine or cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces.
3. Rinse thoroughly — dried soap can cause streaking. In hot
weather you may need to rinse each section right after you
wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft
cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard — you might scratch the
paint.
NOTICE
 Do not use organic substances (gasoline, kerosene,
benzine or strong solvents), which may be toxic or
cause damage.
 Do not scrub any part of the vehicle with a hard brush,
which may cause damage.
Automatic car wash
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the antenna, make sure it is
removed before driving your vehicle through an
automatic car wash.
 When your vehicle goes through an automatic car
wash, make sure the power back door system is off.
Your vehicle may be washed in an automatic car wash, but
remember that the paint can be scratched by some types of
brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the washing process
itself. Scratching reduces paint durability and gloss, especially
on darker colors. The manager of the car wash should be able
to advise you whether the process is safe for the paint on your
vehicle.

Page 644 of 651

BODY
623
Nonleather Trim
The nonleather trim may be easily cleaned with a mild
soap or detergent and water.
First vacuum over the upholstery to remove loose dirt. Then,
using a sponge or soft cloth, apply the soap solution to the
synthetic leather. After allowing it to soak in for a few minutes
to loosen the dirt, remove the dirt and wipe off the soap with a
clean damp cloth. If all the dirt does not come off, repeat the
procedure. Commercial foaming −type cleaners are also
available which work well. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions.
NOTICE
Do not use solvent, thinner, gasoline or window cleaner
on the interior.
Carpets, Windows and Seat Belts
Begin by vacuuming thoroughly to remove as much dirt as
possible. Several types of foam cleaners are available; some
are in aerosol cans and others are powders or liquids which
you mix with water to produce a foam. To shampoo the
carpets, use a sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in
overlapping circles. Do not apply water — the best results are
obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible. Read the
shampoo instructions and follow them closely.
The seat belts may be cleaned with mild soap and water or
with lukewarm water.
Use a cloth or sponge. As you are cleaning, check the belts for
excessive wear, fraying or cuts.

Page 645 of 651

BODY
624
NOTICE
Use a good foamtype shampoo to clean the carpets.
 Do not use dye or bleach on the belts — it may
weaken them.
 Do not use the belts until they become dry.
 The windows may be cleaned with any household
window cleaner.
 Do not apply detergent to or wet the automatic wiper
control sensor when cleaning the inside of the
windshield.
 When cleaning the inside of the rear window, be
careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or
connectors.
Air Conditioning Control Panel, Audio Panel,
Instrument Panel, Console Panel, and
Switches
Use a soft damp cloth for cleaning.
Soak a clean soft cloth in water or lukewarm water then lightly
wipe off any dirt.
NOTICE
 Do not use organic substances (solvents, kerosene,
alcohol, gasoline, etc.) or alkaline or acidic solutions.
These chemicals can cause discoloring, staining or
peeling of the surface.
 If you use cleaners or polishing agents, make sure
their ingredients do not include the substances
mentioned above.
 If you use a liquid car freshener , do not spill the liquid
onto the vehicle’s interior surfaces. It may contain
the ingredients mentio ned above. Immediately clean
any spill using the method mentioned above.
If you have any questions about the cleaning of your
Lexus, your local Lexus dealer will be pleased to answer
them.

Page 648 of 651

GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
Premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher required for
optimum engine performance. However, if such premium
type cannot be obtained, you may use unleaded gasoline
with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane
Number 91).
 Fuel tank capacity:
72.5 L (19.2 gal., 15.9 Imp. gal.)
 Engine oil:
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivqlent
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 5W −30
Oil capacity: L (qt., Imp. qt.)
Drain and refill With filter 4.7 (5.0, 4.1)
Without filter 4.5 (4.8, 4.0)
See page 556 for detailed information.
 Engine coolant:
Capacity: 9.5 L (10.0 qt., 8.4 Imp. qt.)
Coolant type — “T oyota 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.) Do not use plain water alone.
For checking the engine coolant, see page 559.
 Automatic transaxle:
Fluid type — Toyota Genuine ATF Type TIV
See page 564 for detailed information.
 Tire information:
See pages 570 through 591 for detailed information.
 Tire inflation pressure:
Tire size: 225/65R17 101S or P235/55R18 99V
Tire inflation pressure: cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
225/65R17 101S* P235/55R18 99V
Front tires 210 (2.1, 30) 210 (2.1, 30) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear tires 210 (2.1, 30) 210 (2.1, 30) . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare tire 210 (2.1, 30) 210 (2.1, 30) . . . . . . . . . . . .
*: For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph),
in countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add
10 kPa (0.1 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 1.5 psi) to the front tires and
rear tires, but never exceed the maximum cold tire
pressure molded on the tire sidewall.