check engine Lexus ES300 2000 s (in English) Owner's Guide

ENGINE
402
CHECKING THE ENGINE OILLEVEL
62E009
With the engine at operating temperature and turned
off, check the oil level on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level
spot. After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick and push it in as far as it will go,
or the reading will not be correct.

ENGINE
405
If the oil level is below or only slightly above the low
mark, add engine oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine oil a little at a
time,
checking the dipstick. The approximate quantity of
oil needed to fill between the low level mark and the full
level mark on the dipstick is indicated below for
reference.
When the level reaches within the correct range, return
the filler cap and turn the cap clockwise until you hear a
click.
Oil quantity. L (qt., lmp. qt.) 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be
damaged. Ch eck the oil level on the dipstick once
again after adding the oil.

ENGINE
407
Oil identification marks
62L006±1

API Service Symbol
ILSAC Certification
Mark
Either or both API registered marks are added to some
oil containers to help you select the oil you should use.
 The API Service Symbol is located anywhere on the
outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil quality by
API (American Petroleum Institute) designation such
as SJ. The center portion of the label shows the SAE
viscosity grade such as SAE 5W±30.
ªEnergy±Conservingº, shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel±saving capabilities.
 The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee) Certification Mark is
displayed on the front of the container.
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL

ENGINE
408
62E006b

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Look at the see±through coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it
is between the ªFULLº and ªLOWº lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethylene±glycol
type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of
aluminum components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the
ªLOWº line, add coolant. Bring the level up to the ªFULLº
line.
Always use ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components. See
information in the next column. If the coolant level drops within a short time after
replenishing,
there may be a leak in the system. V isually
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
cap pressure and check for leaks in the cooling system.

CHASSIS
419
63E009
Check the fluid level through the reservoir. If
necessary, add automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON
II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80 km/h (50 mph)
for 20 minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the
fluid is hot (60C ± 80C or 140 F ± 175F). You may
also check the level when the fluid is cold (about room
temperature, 10 C ± 30C or 50F ± 85F) if the engine
has not been run for about five hours.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
445


1Terminals 2Hold±down clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose
connections, cracks, or loose hold±down clamps.
1. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of
warm water and baking soda. Coat the terminals with
grease to prevent further corrosion.
2. If the connections are loose, tighten the clamp bolts
± but do not overtighten.
3. Tighten the hold±down clamp only enough to keep
the battery firmly in place. Overtightening may damage
the battery case.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 batterywhen washing it.
Checking battery fluid
There are 2 types of batteries: maintenance type
and non±maintenance type.
A non±maintenance battery has ªMAINTENANCE
FREE BATTERYº on its top. A maintenance type battery
does not have such indication.
Maintenance type battery
Check the fluid condition by the fluid level lines on the
side of the battery. Or if the battery has a hydrometer on
its top, you can also check the hydrometer.
Non±maintenance battery
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer on the top
of the battery.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
450
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the engine isrunning. Also, be sure all accessories are turnedoff.
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE BLADE TYPE FUSES

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
456
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGETYPE FUSES
64E011±1
64E015±1

Engine compartment

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
459
ADDING WASHER FLUID
64E017a
If the washer tank becomes nearly empty, add
washer fluid.
You may use plain water as washer fluid. However, in
cold areas where temperatures range below the
freezing point, use washer fluid containing antifreeze.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most
auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions
for how much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any othersubstitute because it may damage your vehicle'spaint.
CHECKING THE HEADLIGHT AIM
(Vehicles without discharge headlight only)

GAS STATION INFORMATION

Fuel selection:
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number
91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the
use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane
Rating 91 ( Research Octane Number 96) or higher is
recommended.

Fuel tank capacity:
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp. gal.)

Engine oil:
API SJ, ªEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil
or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity ± SAE 5W±30 if normal
temperatures are below 38 C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill with filter 4.7 (5.0, 4.1)
without filter 4.5 (4.8, 4.0)
See page 402 for detailed information.

Engine coolant:
Capacity: 8.8 L (9.3 qt., 7.7 lmp. qt.)
Coolant type ± ªTOYOTA Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
For checking the engine coolant, see page 407
.

Automatic transaxle:
Fluid type ± Automatic transmission fluid Type T±IV

Tire information:
See page 423 through 432 for detailed information.

Tire pressure:
Tire size: P205/65R15 92V or P215/60R16 91V
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Vehicle loaded
up Vehicle load up to vehicle
capacity to 4 occupants weight
Front tires 180 (1.8, 26) 220 (2.2, . . . . . . . . . . . .
32)
Rear tires 180 (1.8, 26) 220 (2.2, . . . . . . . . . . .
32)
When driving under the above vehicle load conditions at
sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law,
inflate the front and rear tires 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar,
32 psi), but never exceed the maximum cold tire
pressure molded on the tire sidewall.