service lexus LS400 1999 Comfort Adjustment / LEXUS 1999 LS400 (OM50514U) Service Manual

MAINTENANCE
381
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that
should be performed at the intervals specified. It is
recommended that any problem you notice be brought
to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to
time, unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
pressure label. See page 421 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 425 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation
Rotate
the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page
423 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other
fluid after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you
smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the
engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when the
primary latch is released.

MAINTENANCE
382
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g.
while performing periodic services, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn
signal lights, and other lights are working. Check
headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly. Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for
changes in steering condition, such as hard steering,
excessive freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check
that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the
head restraints move up and down smoothly and that the
locks hold securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles,
retractors and anchors operate properly and smoothly.
Make sure the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or
damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal
effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster
function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one
side when applied.

MAINTENANCE
384Engine oil level
Check
the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off
and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 405 for
additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in
the ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 419 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or
smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 3±1.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds,
and visual tip±offs 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.)

Flat±looking 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

SECTION 6 ± 1
386
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Introduction
Vehicle identification386
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do±it±yourself service precautions 390
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts and tools 392
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
61L002

INTRODUCTION
390
DO±IT±YOURSELF SERVICEPRECAUTIONS
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 do±it±yourself 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 do±it±yourself
maintenance, see ºParts and toolsº.
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:

SECTION 6 ± 2
395
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications396
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 400
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 402
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 404
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 405
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 409
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 413
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
401
Improved gasolines
The American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) has developed a specification
of improved gasolines. The AAMA specification
offers optimal fuel information for better vehicle
performance and better protection of your engine.
Lexus recommends the use of gasolines that meet the
AAMA specification, if available, for improved drivability
and emission control system.
Gasolines containing MTBE
Gasolines that contain MTBE (Methyl T ertiary±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.
Gasolines containing MMT
Some gasolines contain an octane±enhancing
additive called MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl).
Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines that
contain MMT. If fuels containing MMT are 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.
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.

ENGINE
404
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could leadto serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see
ºChecking the engine oil levelº on page 405.
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
409
Oil identification marks
62L006±1

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 SJ. The center portion of the label shows the SAE
viscosity grade such as SAE 5W±30.
ºEnergy±Conservingº, shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel±saving capabilities.
 The ILSAC (International Lubricant Standardization
and Approval Committee) Certification Mark is
displayed on the front of the container.
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL

SECTION 6 ± 3
414
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications415
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Checking brake fluid 417
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid 419
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 421
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 423
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 425
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 429
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 431
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 431
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 432
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .