engine coolant lexus LS400 2000 Engine / LEXUS 2000 LS400 (OM50533U) User Guide

MAINTENANCE
392Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on
a safe incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the
parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held
securely with the selector lever in ºPº position and all
brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to
time, e.g. each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page
464 for additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and
Lower lines on the see±through reservoir when the
engine is cold. See page 417
for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not
have to add distilled water. For longer life of the battery,
however, see page 453 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 427
for additional information.

MAINTENANCE
393
Engine oil level
Check
the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off
and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 413 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 428 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

61L005b
INTRODUCTION
398
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1 Engine oilfiller cap
2 Engine oilleveldipstick
3 Brake fluid
reservoir
4 Fuse box
5 Battery
6 Washerfluid tank
7 Power
steeringfluidreservoir
8 Engine
coolantreservoir

INTRODUCTION
400
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.

INTRODUCTION
401
NOTICE

Remember that battery and ignition cablescarry high currents or voltages. Be careful ofaccidentally causing a short circuit.

Before closing the engine hood, check to seethat you have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.

Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or
excessive engine wear could result. Alsobackfiring could cause a fire in the enginecompartment.

Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid, orthe transmission could be damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the glass surface withthe wiper frame.
PARTS AND TOOLS
Here is a list of parts and tools you will need to perform
do±it±yourself 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 SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade
engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil. For
recommended oil viscosity, see page 416.
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

ªToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 417
for instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)

SECTION 6 ± 2
403
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications404
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 409
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used engine oil 411
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine oil level 413
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the engine coolant level 417
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 421
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ENGINE
406± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
10.8 L (11.4 qt., 9.5 lmp.qt.)
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water
alone.
± FUELFuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher
± IGNITION SYSTEMSpark plug ± Make DENSO NGK
± Gap
SK20R11
IFR6A11
1.1 mm (0.043 in.)
± ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery Open voltage at 20 C (68F):
Charging rates
12.7V Fully charged
12.3V Half charged
11.9V Discharged
[Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after the key is
removed with all the lights turned off]
5A max.

ENGINE
417
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

ENGINE
418
62L007-2

1Reservoir cap 2Upper line 3Lower line
Look at the see±through coolant reservoir when the
engine is cold. The coolant level is satisfactory if it
is between theºFULLº and ºLOWº lines on the
reservoir. If the level is low, add ethylene±glycol
type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of
aluminum components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the
ºLOWº line, add coolant. Bring the level up to the ºFULLº
line.
Always use ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper
corrosion protection of aluminum components. See
information in the next column. If the coolant level drops within a short time after
replenishing,
there may be a leak in the system. V isually
check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap,
radiator cap and 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.

ENGINE
420
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage your engine
cooling system. Your coolant must contain
ethylene±glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion
protection of your engine that contains aluminum
components. Use ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or
equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and subsequent
damage to the engine, this type of coolant will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or
additives are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the coolant container for information on freeze
protection. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with plain water (preferably demineralized
water or distilled water). The total capacity of the cooling
system is given on page 406.
We recommend to use 50% solution for your Lexus, to
provide protection down to about ±35C (±31F). When
it is extremely cold, to provide protection down to about
±50 C (±58F), 60% solution is recommended. Do not
use more than 70% solution for better coolant
performance.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.