Lexus ES300 1997 Maintenance

179
SECTION 5
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance requirements 180
General maintenance 181
Does your vehicle need repairing? 184
For scheduled maintenance information, please
refer to the separate ªOwner's Manual
Supplement/ Maintenance Scheduleº.

MAINTENANCE
180
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Your Lexus vehicle has been designed to have fewer
maintenance requirements with longer service intervals to
save both your time and money. However, each regular
maintenance as well as day±to±day care is more important
than ever before to ensure smooth, trouble±free, safe, and
economical driving.
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance, including general maintenance services, is
performed. Note that both the new vehicle and emission
control system warranties specify that proper maintenance
and care must be performed. See the Owner's Guide,
Owner 's Manual Supplement or Warranty Booklet for
complete warranty information.
General maintenance
General maintenance items are those day±to±day care
practices that are important to your vehicle for proper
operation. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the
general maintenance items are performed regularly.
These checks or inspections can be done either by yourself
or your Lexus dealer.
Scheduled maintenance
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the ªOwner's
Manual Supplement/Maintenance Scheduleº are those
required to be serviced at regular intervals.For details of your maintenance schedule, read the separate
ªOwner 's Manual Supplement/Maintenance Schedule.º
It is recommended that any replacement parts used for
maintenance or for the repair of the emission control
system be Lexus supplied.
The owner may elect to use non±Lexus supplied parts
for replacement purposes without invalidating the
emission control system warranty. However, use of
replacement parts which are not of equivalent quality
may impair the effectiveness of the emission control
systems.
You may also elect to have maintenance, replacement,
or repair of the emission control devices and system
performed by any automotive repair establishment or
individual without invalidating this warranty. See
Owner 's Guide, Owner's Manual Supplement or
Warranty Booklet for complete warranty information.
Where to go for service?
Lexus technicians are well±trained specialists and are kept
up to date with the latest service information through
technical bulletins, service tips, and in±dealership training
programs. They are well informed about the operation of all
the systems on your vehicle.
You can be confident that your Lexus dealer's service
department performs the best job to meet the maintenance
requirements of your vehicle.

MAINTENANCE
181 Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required
maintenance has been performed for warranty coverage.
And 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 Guide, Owner's Manual
Supplement or Warranty Booklet 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 where adequate ventilation
can be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to
time, unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire pressure
label. See page 210 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear.
See page 211 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.

MAINTENANCE
182Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page 211
for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid
after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause found and
corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate smoothly
and all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood
secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch is
released.
Vehicle interior
Items are listed below should be checked regularly, e.g.
while performing periodic services, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive
freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in any position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.

MAINTENANCE
183 Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal
effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ªParkº mechanism
Check the lock release button of the selector lever for proper
and smooth operation. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in ªPº position
and all brakes released.
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 230
for additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant is between the ªFULLº and ªLOWº
lines on the see±through reservior when the engine is cold.
See page 204 for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have
to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery, however,
see page 222 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 208 for
additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 201 for
additional information.

MAINTENANCE
184Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the
ªHOTº or ªCOLDº range depending on the fluid temperature.
See page 209 for additional information.
Exhaust system
Look for cracks, holes and loose supports. If you notice any
change in the sound of the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes,
have the cause located and corrected immediately. (See
engine exhaust cautions in Section 3±1.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED
REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performances and sounds,
and visual tip±offs that indicates 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 normal

MAINTENANCE
185 If 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.

MAINTENANCE
186