check engine LEXUS LS430 2006 User Guide

149
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate for the
prevailing weather and roadway conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids appropriate to the p revailing outside temperatures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
●Inspect the level and specific gravity of battery electrolyte.
●Have the vehicle fitted with four sno w tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same si
ze and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.
■ Befor
e driving the vehicle
Perform the following steps acco r
ding to the driving conditions.
●Do not forcibly try to open a window or move a wiper that has fro-
zen. Pour some warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. 
Wipe away the water immediately to pr
event it from freezing.
●To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in front
of the windshield.
●Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
●Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may
accumulate in the wheel well or brakes.

154
2-5. Driving information
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (P.283 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer’s recom -
mendation.
●All trailer lights must work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, instal l rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
p

ower train components (engine, transmissi on, differential, wheel bearing, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (see “Owner’s Manual Supplement/ Scheduled Mainte -
nance”)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
• As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle-to-
vehicle distance should be increas ed. For each 10 mph (16 km/h) of
speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
• Avoid sudden braking as you may sk id, r
esulting in jackknifing and loss
of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
• Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
• Avoid jerky steering and sharp turn s, and slo
w down before making a
turn.
• Note that when making a turn, the tr ailer wheels will be closer than the
v
ehicle wheels to the inside of th e turn. Compensate by making a
larger than normal turning radius.
• Crosswinds and rough roads will ad v
ersely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Peri odically check the rear to prepare
for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehi-
cle and trailer to sway. If s
waying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel,
reduce speed immediately but gradually, and steer straight ahead.
Never increase speed. If you make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, your vehi cle and trailer will stabilize.
• Take care when passing other vehicl es. P
assing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your
trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
• In order to maintain efficient engine br
aking and electrical charging
performance, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift range position
must be in “4”, in the “S” mode.
• Due to the added load of the traile r
, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85°F [30°C]) when driving up a
long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in use), pull
your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot. See “If your vehicle
overheats” ( P.359 ).

252
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be performed at
the interval specified in the Owner’s Manual Supplement. It is recommended
that any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your Lexus
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
ItemsCheck points
Battery• Maintenance-free. ( P. 2 7 3 )
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 2 7 0 )
Engine coolant• At the correct level? ( P. 2 6 8 )
Engine oil• At the correct level? ( P. 2 6 3 )
Exhaust system• No fumes or strange sound?
Power steering fluid• At the correct level? ( P. 2 7 2 )
Radiator/condenser/ hoses• Not blocked with foreign matter? ( P. 2 6 9 )
Wa s h e r f l u i d•Sufficient? ( P. 2 7 7 )

254
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Door/trunk• Do they operate smoothly?
• Do the locks work properly?
Engine hood• Does the hood latch and lock work properly?
Fluid leaks• Are there any leaks when the vehicle is parked?
Ti r e
• Is the inflation pressure correct? ( P. 2 8 3 )
• Are tire surfaces worn or damaged? ( P. 2 7 8 )
• Do the tires need to be rotated according to the mainte- nance schedule? ( P. 2 7 8 )
• Are the wheel nuts loose?

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that many move
suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death or serious
injury:
■When working in the engine compartment:
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold and power steering
fluid reservoir, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may
also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily , such as paper or rags, in the engine
compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the battery. 
Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. 
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When the engine is running
Perform maintenance checks with adequate ventilation
■When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grill:
Be sure the ignition is off. With the igni tion on, th
e electric cooling fan may automat-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/
or if the coolant temperature is
high. ( P.262 )
■When working on or under the vehicle:
●Do not get under the vehicle with just the jack supporting it. 
Always use automotive jack stands or other solid supports.
●Use eye protection to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from get -
ting in your eyes.

260
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Hood
CAUTION
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked. 
If the hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in motion and
ca
use an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
Lift the hood to inspect engine components and fluid levels.
Pull the hood release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Lift the hood catch and lift the hood.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil level on
the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. 
After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and pull the
dipstick out.
Wipe it clean.
Reinsert the dipstick until fully seated.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
Low
Full
1
2

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding the engine oil
If the oil level is below or near the low
level mark, add engine oil of the same
type as already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before adding.
Remove the oil filler cap.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Return the filler cap and turn the ca
p clockwise until you hear a
click.
It takes about 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 lmp.qt.) to raise the oil level from low to full on the
dipstick.
■ Recommended viscosity
Temperature range anticipated before next oil change.
SAE 5W-30 is the best choice for
goo
d fuel economy, and good starting
in cold weather.
If SAE 5W-30 is not available, SAE
1
0W-30 may be used. However, it
should be replaced with 5W-30 at
the next oil change.
Dummy
Oil gradeILSAC multigrade engine oil.
ItemsClean funnel (only for adding oil)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level regularly.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.
●Be sure the engine cap is properly retightened.