Engine coolant temperature lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 (OM50498U) User Guide

MAINTENANCE
217
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED
REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual
tipoffs that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the
air conditioning after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon
monoxide leak. Drive with the windows open and have the
exhaust system checked immediately.)
Flatlooking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven
tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal
almost touches floors, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs adjustment or repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It could
result in serious vehicle damage and possibly personal injury.

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

ENGINE
233
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL
62L007-2
1
Reservoir cap 2
Upper line 3
Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the seethrough
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 ethyleneglycol 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 ethyleneglycol type coolant. It will prevent freezing and
corrosion. Neither supplemental inhibitors nor additives are needed
nor recommended. (For information on ethyleneglycol coolant,
see also ”Engine coolant selection” described below.)If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there
may be a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses,
reservoir cap, drain cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap pressure
and check for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the reservoir cap
when the engine is hot.
Engine coolant selection
Your coolant must contain ethyleneglycol antifreeze. In addition
to preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this
will also prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or
additives are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the antifreeze container for information on freeze protection.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix with
water. The total capacity of the cooling system is given on page 226.
We recommend 50% solution be used for your Lexus, or a sufficient
quantity to provide protection to about 35C (31F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

INDEX (E G)
280
Checking the coolant level 233. . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant temperature gauge 34. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emission control device 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment 220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas caution 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood release 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil consumption 229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil level 230. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 226. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting procedure 159. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Threeway catalytic converter 155. . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant, Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . .
Engine immobiliser system 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil, Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant temperature gauge 34. . . . . . . . .
Exhaust gas caution 156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F
Facts about engine oil consumption 229. . . . . . .
Flasher, Headlight 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire
After changing wheels 204. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing tires 202. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you have a flat tire 197 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jack point 201. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacking precautions 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jacking up 201. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loosening wheel nuts 201 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lowering vehicle 203. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reinstalling wheel ornament 204. . . . . . . . . . .
Removing wheel ornament 200. . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel block 200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel nuts 201. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor mat 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid level
Brake 239. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering 240. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer fluid 261. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog light 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign countries, Operation in 181. . . . . . . . . . Front seat
Lumbar support 73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Position 71. . . . . . . . . .
Seat cushion angle and height 72. . . . . . . . . . .
Seatback angle 72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel
Filler door opener 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy 189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel information 227. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gauge 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MTBE 228. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in foreign countries 181. . . . . . . . . .
Tank cap 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse
Blade type fuses 258. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cartridge type fuses 260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse box 220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G
Garage door opener 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas station information Inside back cover. . . . .
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature 34. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glovebox 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice 166 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
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).
Fuel tank capacity:
85 L (22.5 gal., 18.7 lmp.gal.)
Engine oil:
API SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ, ”EnergyConserving”
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity SAE 5W30 if normal
temperatures are below 38C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill
with filter 5.6 (5.9, 4.9)
without filter 5.3 (5.6, 4.7)
See page 230 for detailed information.
Engine coolant:
Capacity: 10.8 L (11.4 qt, 10.4 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type Ethylene glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol
coolant.)
For checking the engine coolant, see page 233.
For changing the engine coolant, see the label on the coolant
reservoir.Automatic transmission:
Fluid type Automatic transmission fluid Type TIV or
equivalent
Tire information:
See page 241 through 247 for detailed information.
Tire pressure:
Tire size: P225/60R16 97V
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2
or bar, psi)
Vehicle loaded up
Vehicle load up to vehicle capacity
up to occupants weight
Front tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32). . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
LS400 (U) 98