fuel type Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

ENGINE
310± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
Coolant typeºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection o\
f
aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.
NOTE:
ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº is filled in your Lexus vehicle. In order \
to avoid technical problems, we strongly recommend using
ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or equivalent. Please contact your \
Lexus dealer for further details.
± FUEL
Fuel type
Only UNLEADED
Octane rating91 (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
12.7 V Fully charged
12.3 V Half charged
11.9 V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is removed with all the
lights turned off]
5A max.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

ENGINE
311
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, occasionally, you may notice light knocking for a
short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

ENGINE
312
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.
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.
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause 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.)
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

3
GAS STATION INFORMATION

Fuel selection:
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rat-
ing of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for
optimum engine performance. However, if such pre-
mium type cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use
unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87
(Research Octane Number 91).

Fuel tank capacity:
66 L (17.5 gal., 14.5 lmp.gal.)

Engine oil:
ºToyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL ºEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil.
Recommend oil viscosity ± SAE 5W±30 if normal
temperatures are below 38 C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill with filter 5.4 (5.7, 4.8)
without filter 5.1 (5.4, 4.5)
See page 315 for detailed information.

Engine coolant:
Capacity: 7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type ± ºToyota Genuine Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of aluminum components For checking the engine coolant, see page 319.
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

Automatic transmission:
Fluid type ± Toyota Genuine ATF Type T±IV
See page 324 for detailed information.

Tire information:
See page 331 through 341 for detailed information.

Tire pressure:
Tire size: 225/45ZR17, 215/45ZR17 or P205/55R16 89V
Tire pressure: cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Ti
re sizeFrontRear
225/45ZR17 ± 240 (2.4, 35)
215/45ZR17 230 (2.3, 33) 230 (2.3, 33)
P205/55R16 89V 230 (2.3, 33) 230 (2.3, 33)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add the
tire pressure given below to the front tires and rear tires, but
never exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the
tire sidewall.
225/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
215/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
P205/55R16 89V
Sedan 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
SportCross Front: 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
Rear: 90kPa (0.9 kgf/cm2, 0.9 bar, 15 psi)
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)