maintenance LEXUS LS430 2006 User Guide

249
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
Do not use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol, gasoline, or alkaline or
ac
id solutions as they may discolor the ve hicle interior or cause streaks or damage
to painted surfaces.
■Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid d
amage to and deterioration of leather
surfaces.
• Remove any dust or dirt on leather surfaces immediately.
• Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Park th
e vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
• Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or that contain wax on the upholstery, as the
y may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats up signifi -
cantly.
■Water on the floor
Do not soak the floor carpet with wa ter
or other liquids when cleaning. 
Vehicle systems such as electrical cont r
ol systems and the audio system may be
damaged if liquids come into contact with them. In addition, water may cause the
body to rust.
■Cleaning the inside of the rear window
Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or connectors.

250
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular mainte-
nance is essential. It is the owner’s re sponsibility
to perform regular checks.
Lexus recommends the following maintenance.
■ General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done y
ourself or by a
Lexus dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified in tervals according to the maintenance
schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Owner’s
Manual Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.
■ Do-it-yourself maintenance ( P.256)
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself. 
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect warranty cover -
age.
The use of Lexus Repair Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see separate “Owner’s Guide”,
“
Owner’s Manual Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet”.
Service and repairs not covered in this Owner’s Manual should be per -
formed by a qualified technician using Lexus service and repair publica-
tions.

251
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine Lexus parts be used for repairs to ensure optimum
pe
rformance. If non-Lexus replacement parts are used or if a repair shop other
than a Lexus dealer performs repairs, confirm the warranty coverage.
■Have inspections and repairs performe d by a Lexus dealer whenever possible
●Lexus technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date with the
latest service information. They specialize in the operation of all systems on your
Lexus.
●Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has been
performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise while your
vehicle is under warranty, your Lexus de aler will promptly take care of it.
CAUTION
■Hazardous materials
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile com -
ponents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause can -
cer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a well ventilated area.
●Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by compo -
nent wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cance
r and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid exposure and wash
any affected area immediately.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead com -
pounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after han -
dling. ( P.273 )
●Used engine oil contains chemicals that have caused cancer in laboratory ani -
mals. Avoid prolonged and repeated contact. Always protect your skin by wash -
ing thoroughly with soap and water.

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 )

253
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly
(without uneven pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism• Can hold the vehicle securely on a incline with the selector lever in “P”?
Brake pedal
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free play?
Brakes
• Not pull to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers• Function properly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
• Headlights aimed correctly? ( P.311)
Pa r k i n g b r a ke• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on a incline?
Seat belts• Does the seat belt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• The seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
•No strange noise?

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?

255
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission in spection programs which include OBD
(On-Board Diagnostics) checks.

The OBD system monitors the operation of the emission control system.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a pr
oblem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Lexus dealer to service the
vehicle.
■ Y
our vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during or
dinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may not
be completely set.
●When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp co mes on as tempor
ary malfunction
and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after se
veral driving
trips
The error code in the OBD system wi ll not be clear
ed unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If y
our vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your Lexus dealer to prep ar
e the vehicle for re-testing.

256
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
Do-it-yourself maintenancePa r t s a n d t o o l s
Battery condition 
( P. 2 7 3 )
•Warm water
• Baking soda
•Grease
• Conventional wrench 
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Blade type fuses
( P. 2 9 8 )
• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Brake fluid level 
(P. 2 7 0 )
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Cartridge type fuses 
(P. 3 0 9 )
• Genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent with same
amperage rating as original
Engine coolant level 
(P. 2 6 8 )
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate,
non-amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% de-ionized water
(vehicles sold in the U.S.A.), 55% coolant 45%
de-ionized water (vehicles sold in Canada).
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
( P. 2 6 3 )
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding oil)
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct procedure
given in these sections.

257
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself maintenancePa r t s a n d t o o l s
Headlight aim 
( P.311)
• Phillips-head screwdriver
Power steering fluid
level
(P. 2 7 2 )
• Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON ll or
lll
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding power steering fluid)
Radiator and 
condenser 
(P. 2 6 9 )

Tire inflation pressure 
(P. 2 8 3 )
• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d 
(P. 2 7 7 )
• Washer fluid containing antifreeze 
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding washer fluid)

258
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.