engine Lexus ES350 2009 Do-it-yourself maintenance

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct proce-
dure given in these sections.
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition (→P. 3 2 2)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (→P. 3 1 9 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake
fluid)
Engine coolant level (→P. 3 1 7 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene gly-
col based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
For the USA:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
is pre-mixed with 55% coolant and
45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine coolant)

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4
Maintenance and care
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Engine oil level (→P. 3 1 3 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used
only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (→P. 3 4 4 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
Tire inflation pressure (→P. 3 3 4 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Headlight aim (→P. 3 5 2 )• Phillips-head screwdriver
Power steering fluid
level (→P. 3 2 0 )
• Automatic transmission fluid
DEXRON® II or III
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power
steering fluid)
Radiator and condenser (→P. 3 1 9 )⎯
Wa s h e r f l u i d (→P. 3 2 5 )
• Water washer fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter use)
•Funnel

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may move sud-
denly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious injury.
■When working on the engine compartment:
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right after driv-
ing as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. Fuel
and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous and
corrosive sulfuric acid.
●Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage painted
surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area with clean water
immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille:
Be sure the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is OFF.
With the “ENGINE START STOP” switch in IGNITION ON mode, the electric
cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the
coolant temperature is high.
(→P. 3 1 9 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the eyes.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner:
Driving with the air filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to dirt in
the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■When raising your vehicle:
Make sure to observe the following to reduce the possibility of death or serious
injury.
●Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
●Do not put any part of your body or get underneath the vehicle supported only by
the floor jack.
Always use automotive jack stands on a solid, level surface.
●Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by the floor jack.
●Stop the vehicle on level firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and put the shift
lever in P.
●Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage the vehi-
cle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
●When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on top of or underneath the
floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack such as
the one shown in the illustration.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Power steering fluid reservoir
(→P. 320)
Engine oil filler cap
(→P. 314)
Engine oil level dipstick
(→P. 313)
Brake fluid reservoir
(→P. 319)
Battery (→P. 322)Fuse box (→P. 3 4 4 )
Electric cooling fans
Condenser (→P. 319)
Radiator (→P. 319)
Washer fluid tank
(→P. 325)
Engine coolant reservoir
(→P. 317)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment cover
■Removing the engine compartment cover
Front
Right-hand side
When installing the cover, make sure that the engine coolant reservoir
hose positioned as shown in the illustration.
Left-hand side

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Installing the clips
Press the tip of the clip against a
hard surface, such as a desk, to
allow the center part of the clip
to be pushed up.
Insert
Press
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After turning off the engine, wait
more than five minutes for the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
■Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the
low level mark, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the
engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the filler cap, turning it clockwise.
It takes about 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp. qt.) to raise the oil level from low to full on the
dipstick.
STEP6
Oil gradeILSAC multi-grade engine oil
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Engine oil consumption
●The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the quality of
the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
●More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
●A new engine consumes more oil.
●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.
●Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp.qt./600 miles (1.0 L per 1000
km)
●If you consume more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 lmp.qt.) every 600 miles (1000 km),
contact your Lexus dealer.
■Changing the engine oil (USA only)
To reset the oil change system, follow the procedure below:
1. Turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF with the trip meter A reading
shown. (→P. 1 2 5 )
2. While pressing the trip meter reset button, set the “ENGINE START STOP”
switch to the IGNITION ON mode. Continue to press and hold the button until
the trip meter displays 000000.
CAUTION
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may cause skin
disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should be taken to avoid
prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do not dis-
pose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the ground.
Call your Lexus dealer, service station or auto parts store for information con-
cerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.