fuel lexus LS400 1995 Gauges, Meters and Service Reminder Indicators / 1995 LS400: ENGINE

SECTION 6 – 2
197
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications198 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level203 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level205 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
199 − COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
11.0 L (11.6 qt., 9.7 Imp.qt.)
Ethylene − glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol type.)
− FUEL
Fuel type
Research octane number
Only UNLEADED
96 (Octane Rating 91) or higher
− IGNITION SYSTEM
Spark plug−Make NIPPONDENSO
NGK
−Gap
PK20R8
BKR6EP8
0.8 mm (0.031 in.)
− ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery−Specific gravity reading at 20
C (68
F)
[Open voltage at 20
C (68
F)]:
−Charging rates
1.280 [12.7 V] Fully charged
1.180 [12.3 V] Half charged
1.080 [11.9 V] Discharged
5 A max.

ENGINE
200
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 nozzle on pumps with leaded gas
will not.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will
cause the three−way catalytic converter to lose its
effectiveness and the emission control system to
function improperly. Also, this can increase
maintenance costs.
Octane number
Select premium unleaded gasoline with a Research
Octane Number of 96 (Octane Rating 91) or higher for
optimum engine performance. However, if such premium
type cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use
unleaded gasoline with an octane number as low as 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.
Gasolines containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends use of gasolines that contain
detergent additives to avoid build−up of engine deposits.
For further details, ask your Lexus dealer or a local gasoline
retailer.
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl Tertiary−Butyl
Ether) are available in the market. If you use a gasoline
mixed with MTBE, make certain that it does not contain
more than 15% of MTBE.
If the use of gasolines containing MTBE causes poor drivability
and / or poor fuel economy, you should stop using them.

ENGINE
201
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use
gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an
octane rating no lower than 87 and does not contain more
than 10% ethanol. Lexus does not recommend the use of
gasolines containing methanol.
If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline
meeting the requirements above and also containing less than
5% methanol with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for
methanol
NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will
cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot
starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue
its use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling.
Gasohol may cause paint damage.
Fuel tank capacity
85 L (22.5 gal., 18.7 Imp.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.

ENGINE
202The 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.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum level so
that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential
that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus recommends that
the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to
serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see “Checking the
engine oil level” on page 203.
USED ENGINE OIL
CAUTION
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 with
it. To remove used engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
Do not leave used oil within the reach of children.
Dispose of used oil and used oil filters only in a safe
and acceptable manner. Do not dispose of used oil
and used oil filters in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your Lexus dealer or a service
station for information concerning recycling or
disposal.

ENGINE
205
Oil identification marks
API Service Symbol ILSAC Certification Mark
Either or both API registered marks are added to some oil
containers to help you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located anywhere on the outside
of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil quality by API
(American Petroleum Institute) designation such as SH.
The center portion of the label shows the SAE viscosity
grade such as SAE 5W−30. “Energy−Conserving II”, shown
in the lower portion, indicates that the oil has fuel−saving
capabilities. Oils marked “Energy−Conserving II” will have
higher fuel−saving capabilities than oils marked
“Energy−Conserving”.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee) Certification Mark is displayed on the
front of the container.
CHECKING THE ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
 1
Reservoir cap 2
Upper line 3
Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the see−through
coolant reservoir when the engine is cool. The coolant
level is satisfactory if it is between the upper and lower
lines on the tank. If the level is low, add ethylene−glycol
type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine coolant
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the lower line,
add coolant to bring the level up to the upper line.
Use only ethylene−glycol type coolant. It will prevent freezing
and corrosion. Neither supplemental inhibitors nor additives
are needed nor recommended. (For information on
ethylene−glycol coolant, see also “Engine coolant selection”
described below.)