maintenance schedule Lexus ES330 2005 Occupant Restraint System / LEXUS 2005 ES330 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM33691U)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR LEXUS
iv
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Lexus limited
warranties:
New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the “Owner’s Guide”,
“Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance is performed. Section 5 of this Owner’s Manual
gives details of these maintenance requirements. Included in
Section 6 is general maintenance. For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.
Important health and safety information about
your Lexus
CAUTION
 WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and a wide variety of automobile components
contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects and
other reproductive harm. In addition, oils, fuels and
fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste
produced by component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
 Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash your hands
after handling. Used engine oil contains chemicals
that have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing thoroughly with
soap and water.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
62
(g) Low Engine Oil Level Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil level is too low. Add oil as
soon as possible. (For instructions, see “Checking the engine
oil level” on page 351.)
While driving on steep inclines or rough roads which causes
the vehicle to substantially sway or on curves, this light may
come on due to the movement of engine oil in the engine.
In normal conditions, due to engine oil consumption, this light
may come on earlier than the specified service interval of the
scheduled maintenance. This is because the engine oil is
consumed to the low level within the scheduled maintenance
interval and does not indicate a problem. (For detailed
information, see “Facts about engine oil consumption” on page
349.)
NOTICE
Continued engine operation with low engine oil will
damage the engine.
(h) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder Light (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
This light acts as a reminder to replace the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position and will go off after about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 7200 km (4500 miles) after the
engine oil replacement, this light illuminates for about 3
seconds and then flashes for about 12 seconds with the
ignition key turned to the “ON” position. If you continue driving
without replacing the engine oil, and if the distance driven
exceeds 8000 km (5000 miles), the light will come on after the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position. The light will remain
on thereafter.
If the light is flashing, we recommend that you replace the
engine oil at an early opportunity depending on the driving and
road conditions. If the light comes on, replace it as soon as
possible.
The system must be reset after the engine oil replacement.
Reset the system by the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position with
the odometer reading shown. (For details, see “Odometer and
trip meter” on page 56.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position while holding down
the trip meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob for at least 5 seconds. The odometer
indicates “000000” and the light goes off.
If the system fails to reset, the light will continue flashing.

AIR CONDITIONING
193
(e) Checking and replacing the air conditioningfilter
The air conditioning filter information label is placed in the
glove box as shown and indicates that a filter has been
installed.
The air conditioning filter prevents dust from entering the
vehicle through the air conditioning vent.
The air conditioning filter is behind the glove box.
The air conditioning filter may clog after long use. The filter
may need to be replaced if the air flow of the air conditioner and
heater experiences extreme reductions in operating ef ficiency,
or if the windows begin to fog up easily.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency, inspect and replace
the air conditioning filter according to the maintenance
schedule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy traffic flow, such
as inner city or desert areas, early replacement may be
required. (For scheduled maintenance information, please
refer to the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance”.)

STARTING AND DRIVING
255

To ensure that the threeway catalytic converter and
the entire emission control system operate properly,
your vehicle must receive the periodic inspections
required by the Lexus Maintenance Schedule. For
scheduled maintenance information, refer to the
“Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance”.
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 trunk lid closed while driving. An open or
unsealed trunk lid may cause exhaust gases to be
drawn into the vehicle.

DRIVING TIPS
288
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due to the additional load. For this
information, please refer to the scheduled maintenance
information in the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/
Scheduled Maintenance”.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
Pretowing safety check
Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or
unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has an
abnormal nose −up or nose− down condition, and check for
improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other
possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it
cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal,
state/provincial or local regulations. If they do not, install
required rear view mirrors appropriate for towing purposes.
Trailer towing tips
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently
than when not towing. The three main causes of
vehicletrailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when
towing:
 Before starting out, check the operation of the lights and all
vehicle −trailer connections. After driving a short distance,
stop and recheck the lights and connections. Practice
turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away
from traffic until you learn the feel.
 Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practice. Grip
the bottom of the steering whe el and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right
to move the trailer to the right. (This procedure is generally
opposite to that when backing without a trailer.) Also, just
turn the steering wheel a little at a time, avoiding sharp or
prolonged turning. Have someone guide you when backing
to reduce the risk of an accident.
 Because stopping distance may be increased,
vehicle −to−vehicle distance should be increased when
towing a trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of speed, allow
at least one vehicle and trailer length between you and the
vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid,
resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially
true on wet or slippery surfaces.

DRIVING TIPS
291

Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
 Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop−and−go driving wastes fuel.
 Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
 Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
 Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
 Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
 Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
 Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud etc. This
not only lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion. 
Keep your vehicle tunedup and in top shape. A dirty air
cleaner, improper valve clearance, dirty plugs, dirty oil and
grease, brakes not adjusted, etc. all lower engine
performance and contribute to poor fuel economy. For
longer life of all parts and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if you often drive under
severe conditions, see that your vehicle receives more
frequent maintenance. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.)
CAUTION
Never turn off the engine to coast down hills. Your
power steering and brake booster will not function
without the engine running. Also, the emission control
system operates properly only when the engine is
running.

SECTION 5
325
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance
Maintenance requirements326
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General maintenance 327
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\

Does your vehicle need repairing? 330
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs 331
. . . . . . . .
For scheduled maintenance informa tion, please refer
to the “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance”.

MAINTENANCE
326
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 “Owner’s
Manual Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance” are those
required to be serviced at regular intervals.
For details of your maintenance schedule, read the “Owner’s
Manual Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.
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 nonLexus 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.

MAINTENANCE
330
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month and adjust as
shown on the tire and loading information label. See
page 366 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or
excessive wear. See page 381 for additional
information.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the maintenance
schedule. (For scheduled maintenance information,
please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.) See page 380
for additional information.DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEEDREPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and
visual tip −offs that indicate 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

CHASSIS
360
SPECIFICATIONS
— AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLEFluid capacity Drain and refill
3.5 L (3.7 qt., 3.1 Imp. qt.)
Fluid typeToyota Genuine ATF Type TIV*
*: 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 T−IV” (ATF JWS3309 or NWS6500) to aid in assuring
optimum transaxle performance.NOTICE
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota
Genuine ATF Type TIV” may cause deterioration in
shift quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the
automatic transmission of your vehicle.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.