Lexus IS300 2001 Switches / LEXUS 2001 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53437)

INTRODUCTION
229
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally causing a short circuit.

Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you
have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or excessive engine wear could result. Also backfiringcould cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or thetransmission could be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with thewiper frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
do±it±yourself maintenance. Remember all Lexus parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):

Use API grade SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine
oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil
viscosity, see page 242.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 243 for
instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)

INTRODUCTION
230
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools:

Warm water

Baking soda

Grease

Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Checking and replacing the blade type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Checking the cartridge type fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary):

Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same amperage
rating as original
Adding washer fluid
Parts:

Water

Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
Tools:

Funnel

INTRODUCTION
231
POSITIONING THE JACK
SV61006
Front of vehicle
When jacking up your vehicle with the jack, position the
jack correctly as shown in the illustration.
Jack position
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front± Front crossmember
Rear± Rear engine mounting bracket
Support position and Pantograph jack
. . . . . . . . . . . .
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:

Follow jacking instructions.

Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle
supported by a jack. Personal injury may occur.

Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.

Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in reverse.
Block the wheel diagonally opposite to the one being
changed if necessary.

Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with jack improperly positioned
will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall
off the jack and cause personal injury.

Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone; use vehicle support
stands.

Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.

When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or
under the jack.

INTRODUCTION
232
NOTICE
Make sure to place the jack correctly, or your vehiclemay be damaged.

SECTION 6 ± 2
233
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications234
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Fuel 236
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 238
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 240
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 240
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 243
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 244
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .

62L005±1
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change
ENGINE
234
SPECIFICATIONS
± GENERALModel
Type
Bore and stroke
Displacement
Valve clearance (engine cold) Intake
Exhaust
Drive belt tension
2JZ±GE
6 cylinder in line, 4 cycle, gasoline
86.0 X 86.0 mm (3.39 X 3.39 in.)
2997 cm
3 (182.9 cu.in.)
0.15 ± 0.25 mm (0.006 ± 0.010 in.)
0.25 ± 0.35 mm (0.010 ± 0.014 in.)
Automatic adjustment
± LUBRICATION SYSTEM Oil capacity Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
Oil grade
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
5.4 L (5.7 qt., 4.8 lmp.qt.)
5.1 L (5.4 qt., 4.5 lmp.qt.)
API SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil

ENGINE
235
± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
ºToyota 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.
± FUELFuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO ± Gap
SK16R±P11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery ± Open voltage at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed
with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE
236
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller
fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with
leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three±way catalytic converter to lose itseffectiveness and the emission control system tofunction improperly. Also, this can increasemaintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating
of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum
engine performance. However, if such premium type
cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research
Octane Number 91). Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower
than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If
severe, this will lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus
dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a
short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern.
Gasoline containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contains
detergent additives to avoid build±up of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains detergent
additives to keep clean and/or clean intake systems.
Quality gasoline
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specification for quality fuel named
World±Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be
applied world wide. The WWFC consists of three
categories
that depend on required emission levels. In the
U.S., category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC improves
air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle
fleets, and customer satisfaction through better vehicle
performance.

ENGINE
237
Cleaner burning gasoline
Cleaner burning gasoline, including reformulated
gasoline that contains oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE is available in many areas.
Lexus recommends the use of cleaner burning gasoline and
appropriately blended reformulated gasoline. These types of
gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce
vehicle emissions, and improve air quality.
Oxygenates in gasoline
Lexus allows the use of oxygenate blended gasoline
where the oxygenate content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it has
an octane rating no lower than 87.
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline containing
methanol.
Sulfur in gasoline
If your vehicle is certified to California Emission
Regulations, the vehicle is designed to operate on
California cleaner burning gasoline (CBG) that contains
lower sulfur. If you cannot use California CBG, your
emission control system may suffer damage and turn on
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp.
If the malfunction is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Gasoline containing MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasoline that contains
MMT. If fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control
system may be adversely affected. The Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this happens,
contact your Lexus dealer for service.
Gasoline quality
In a very few cases, you may experience driveability problems
caused by the particular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability, try changing
gasoline brands. If this does not rectify your problem, then
consult your Lexus dealer.

ENGINE
238
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It willcause fuel system damage or vehicle performanceproblems.
If driveability problems are encountered (poor hotstarting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinueits use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
66 L (17.5 gal., 14.5 lmp.gal.)
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
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.