oil dipstick Lexus GX470 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 GX470 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM60A45U)

Finish
GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
51
The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or
it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for
concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated
slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It
is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must
be checked using the oil level dipstick.
NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the warning light on even
for one block. It may ruin the engine.
(m) Engine Oil Replacement Reminder Light
This light reminds you when to replace the engine oil.
This light will come on when the ignition key is turned to “ON”
and will go off after about a few seconds.
When you drive for about 8000 km (5000 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 “ON” position. If you continue driving
without the engine oil replacement, and if the driving range
exceeds
12000 km (7500 miles), the light will come on after the
ignition key is turned to “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 condition. If the light comes on, replace it as soon as
possible. You need to reset the light after the engine oil replacement.
Reset the light by following the procedure below:
1. Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position with the odometer
reading
shown. (For details, see “Odometer and trip meter” on
page 42.)
2. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position while holding down
the trip meter reset knob.
Hold down the knob until the light goes off. Before the light
goes off, it illuminates for 3 seconds, flashes for 2 seconds and
illuminates for 1 second.
If the system fails to reset, the light will remain flashing. In this
case, return to step 1 and try again.
(n) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the tank,
the low fuel level warning light may come on earlier than usual.
(o) Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
This light comes on when the fluid level in the tank becomes
very low. Fill the tank as soon as possible.
(p) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the key when you open the
driver’s door with the ignition key in the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position.

MAINTENANCE
399
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 430 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 419 for
additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in
the “HOT” or “COLD” range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 431 for additional information.
Exhaust system
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 caution” on page 298.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED REPAIRING?
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

61PY004
INTRODUCTION
404
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1Engine oil level
dipstick
2Engine oil filler cap
3Brake fluid reservoir
4Fuse box
5Battery
6Condenser
7Electric cooling fan
8Radiator
9Engine coolant
reservoir
10Washer fluid tank
11Power steering fluid
reservoir

ENGINE
417
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling
the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine
oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders.
A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure
generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of
this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as
some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by
the high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
 Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves.
Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel.
High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems. The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed by high
−speed driving and frequent
acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
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.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.

ENGINE
419
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
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
ground. After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the
oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold a rag under the end and wipe it
clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstick and push it in as far as it will go, or the
reading will not be correct.
 1 Add oil2 O.K.3 Too full
4. Pull the dips tick out and look at the oil level while holding a
rag under the end. If it is between the low level mark (
4
) and
the full level mark ( 5
), it is O.K.
NOTICE
Be careful not to drop the engine oil on the vehicle
components.

ENGINE
420
If the oil level is below or only slightly above the low line,
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. We recommend that you use a funnel
when adding oil. The approximate quantity of oil needed to fill
between the low line and the full line 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
 Be careful not to spill the engine oil on the vehicle
components.
 Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick once again after
adding the oil.
Engine oil selection
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is filled in your Lexus vehicle. Use
Lexus approved “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent to
satisfy the following grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: API grade SL “Energy −Conserving” or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity: SAE 5W −30
62Z002
Outside temperature
SAE 5W30 is the best choice, for good fuel economy and
good starting in cold weather.
If SAE 5W30 oil is not available, SAE 10W30 may be
used. However, it should be replaced with SAE 5W30 at
the next oil change.