maintenance Lexus GX470 2008 Operating the lights and windshield wipers / LEXUS 2008 GX470 (OM60D82U) Owner's Guide

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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, inverter, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving 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.
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the engine switch is in “LOCK”.
With the engine switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” position, the electric cooling fan
may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. ( P. 3 2 9 )
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from getting
in the eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear due to
dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compartment.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Hood
CAUTION
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in motion and
cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Lift the hood catch and lift the
hood.
STEP1
STEP2

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Engine compartment
Engine oil level dipstick(P. 323)
Engine oil filler cap (P. 324)
Brake fluid reservoir (P. 330)
Fuse box ( P. 355)
Battery ( P. 333)Condenser ( P. 3 2 9 )
Electric cooling fan
Engine coolant reservoir (P. 328)
Radiator ( P. 3 2 9 )
Washer fluid tank ( P. 3 3 5 )
Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 3 3 1 )

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment cover■ Removing the covers
■ Installing the clips
Push up center portion
Insert
Press

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperat ure 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
a few 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.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 th e 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 until you hear a click.
Oil gradeILSAC multigrade engine oil
Oil quantity
(Low  Full)1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
ItemsClean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
■Recommended viscosity
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for
good fuel economy, and good
starting in cold weather.
*: If SAE 5W-30 oil is not available,SAE 10W-30 oil may be used.
However, it should be replaced
with SAE 5W-30 at the next oil
change.
■ How to read oil container labels
The ILSAC (International Lubrican t Standardization and Approval
Committee) Certification Mark is added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
Outside temperature

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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 consumpt ion, 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 the vehicle consumes more than this amount, contact your Lexus dealer.
■Resetting the engine oil main tenance data (U.S.A. only)
Perform the following steps: Switch the display to the odometer. ( P. 1 2 6 )
Turn the engine switch to the “LOCK” position.
Turn the engine switch to the “ON” position with the trip meter reset but-
ton held down.
Keep pressing the knob until th e “MAINT REQD” light goes off.
If the light continues flashing, return to STEP 1 and try again.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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 househol d 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.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly retightened.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
Full
Low
If the level is on or below the “L”
line, add coolant up to the “F” line.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, reservoir cap, radiator cap, drain cock and water
pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Lexus dealer pressure test the cap and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
■Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-life
hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50%
deionized water. (Enabled: -31F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44 F [-42C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Lexus dealer.