fluid lexus LS400 1998 Audio System / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) User Guide

61L005-5
INTRODUCTION
220
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1 Brake fluid reservoir
2 Fuse box
3 Battery
4 Washer fluid tank
5 Engine oil level dipstick
6 Engine oil filler cap
7 Power steering fluid
reservoir
8 Engine coolant reservoir

INTRODUCTION
221
DOITYOURSELF SERVICE
PRECAUTIONS
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure given in this Section.
You should be aware that improper or incomplete servicing may
result in operating problems.
Performing doityourself maintenance during the warranty period
may affect your warranty coverage. Read the separate Lexus
Warranty statement for details and suggestions.
This Section gives instructions only for those items that are
relatively easy for an owner to perform. As explained in Section 5,
there are still a number of items that must be performed by a qualified
technician with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for doityourself maintenance,
see ”Parts and tools”.
Utmost care should be taken when working on your vehicle to
prevent accidental injury. Here are a few precautions that you should
be especially careful to observe:
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
(Removing rings, watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine compartment the engine,
radiator, exhaust manifold and power steering fluid
reservoir, etc. will be hot. So be careful not to touch them.
Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames around
fuel or the battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It
contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or other
solid supports.
Be sure the ignition is off if you work near the electric
cooling fan or radiator grille. With the ignition on, the
electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or if the coolant temperature is high.
Use eye protection whenever you work on or under your
vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or falling
material, fluid spray, etc.
NOTICE

INTRODUCTION
222Remember 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 backfiring could cause a fire in the
engine compartment.
Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, or the
transmission could be damaged.
Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the wiper
frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
doityourself 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 SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ,
”EnergyConserving” multigrade engine oil or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil. For recommended oil viscosity, see page
232.
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
Ethyleneglycol coolant
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant)

INTRODUCTION
223
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
Nonmaintenance batteries
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Maintenance type batteries
Parts (if level is low):
Distilled waterTools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Coin (for vent plugs)
Funnel (only for adding distilled water)
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

SECTION 6 3
236
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications 237. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 239. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid 240. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 241. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 242. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 243. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHASSIS
237
SPECIFICATIONS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Fluid capacity
Drain and refill
Fluid type
1.9 L (2.0 qt., 1.7 lmp.qt.)
Automatic transmission fluid Type T IV or equivalent
DIFFERENTIAL
Oil capacity
Oil type
Oil viscosity
1.3 L (1.4 qt., 1.1 lmp.qt.)
Hypoid gear oil API GL5
Above 18C (0F): SAE 90
Below 18C (0F): SAE 80W or SAE 80W90
BRAKES
Pedal clearance
Pedal freeplay
Brake pad wear limit
Parking brake lining wear limit
Parking brake adjustment
Fluid type
70 mm (2.8 in.) Min. *1
1 6 mm (0.04 0.24 in.)
1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
5 7 clicks *
2
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with the pressure of 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf.) with the engine running
*
2: Parking brake adjustment when depressed with the pressure of 294 N (30 kgf, 66.1 lbf.)

CHASSIS
238 STEERING
Freeplay
Power steering fluid
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire size
Tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
Vehicle load up to four occupants
Vehicle loaded up to vehicle capacity weight
Wheel size
Wheel nut torque
P225/60R16 97V
Front 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm
2
or bar, 29 psi)
Rear 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2 or bar, 29 psi)
Front 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi)
Rear 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 80 kPa (0.9
kgf/cm
2, 0.8 bar, 12 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but never
exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
16 x 7 JJ
103 N·m (10.5 kgf·m, 76 ft·lbf.)

CHASSIS
239
CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
63L0012
To check the fluid level, simply look at the seethrough reservoir.
The level should be between the ”MAX” and ”MIN” lines on the
tank.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake
pads wear. So be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious
mechanical problem.
If the level is low, add FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid to the brake reservoir.
Remove and replace the reservoir cover by hand. Add brake fluid
up to the ”MAX” line.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once opened, brake fluid
absorbs moisture from the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking efficiency.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the reservoir because brake fluid can
harm your eyes and damage painted surfaces. If fluid gets in
your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water.

CHASSIS
240
CHECKING POWER STEERING
FLUID
63L0021
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If necessary, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRONII or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80 km/h (50 mph) for 20
minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is hot (60C
8 0C or 140F 175F). You may also check the level when the
fluid is cold (about room temperature, 10C 30C or 50F 85F)
if the engine has not been run for about five hours.
63L0031
1
If cold O.K. 2
If hot O.K. 3
Add fluid
1. Clean all dirt off the reservoir.
2. Remove the filler cap by turning it counterclockwise and wipe the
dipstick clean.
3. Reinstall the filler cap.
4. Remove the filler cap again and look at the fluid level. If the fluid
is cold, the level should be in the ”COLD” range on the dipstick.
Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level should be in the ”HOT” range.
If the level is at the low side of either range, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III to bring the level within the
range.
5. After replacing the filler cap, visually check the steering box case,
vane pump and hose connections for leaks or damage.

CHASSIS
241
CAUTION
The reservoir may be hot so be careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be damaged.
When adding the power steering fluid, avoid spilling it. The
generator under the power steering reservoir could be
damaged if fluid is spilled on it.
CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE
63L004-1
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the vehicle
capacity weight are given on the label inside the glovebox lid.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at least once
a month. And don’t forget the spare! The pressure for the spare tire
should be 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi). Incorrect tire pressure
can reduce tire life and make your vehicle less safe to drive.
Low tire pressure results in excessive wear, poor handling, reduced
fuel economy, and the possibility of blowouts from overheated tires.
Also, low tire pressure can cause poor sealing of the tire bead. If the
tire pressure is excessively low, there is the possibility of wheel
deformation and/or tire separation. So keep your tire pressures at the
proper level. If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by
your Lexus dealer.