brake fluid LEXUS LS430 2006 Owners Manual

92
2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■When braking the vehicle
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of
th
e vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may
not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other vehicles
closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require making. 
Braking is still possible, but it will re quir
e more force on the pedal than usual.
Braking distance may also increase.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls. Each push on the pedal uses up
your reserved brake fluid pressure.
●Even if the power assist is completely lost, the brakes will still work. But you will
have to push the pedal hard, much hard er than normal. And your braking dis-
tance will increase.
●Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your brakes fixed
immediately.
NOTICE
■While driving the vehicle
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depres s acceler
ator and brake pedals together
to hold the vehicle on a hill.
■When parking the vehicle
Always put the selector lever in P. The vehicle may begin to move, or the vehicle
ma
y accelerate suddenly if the accelerat or pedal is accidentally depressed.

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.

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 )

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.

262
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Brake fluid reservoir
( P.
2 7 0 )
Fuse Box ( P.298 , P.309 )
Engine oil filler cap 
( P.
2 6 3 )
Engine oil level dipstick 
( P.
2 6 3 )
Washer fluid tank ( P.277 ) Radiator
Condenser
(P.
2 6 9 )
Engine coolant reservoir 
( P.
2 6 8 )
Power steering fluid 
reservoir ( P
.272)
Battery 
(P.
2 7 3 )
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Brake fluid
■Fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
betw
een the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ A
dding fluid
Turn the ignition switch off.
Depress the brake pedal 40 times or more.
Remove the reservoir cap.
Add newly opened brake fluid up to the “MAX” line.
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsFunnel (for adding brake fluid only)
■Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking efficiency. Use
o

nly newly opened brake fluid.

271
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Be careful because brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage painted
sur
faces. 
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately. 
If you still experience discom for
t, seek medical attention.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads wear or
whe

n the fluid level in the accumulator is high. 
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious mechanical prob -
lem. Have the system checked by your Lexus dealer.

324
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
Look for any of the following symptoms.
• Fluid leaks under the vehicle
Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal
• Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
• Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher
than normal
■ A
udible symptoms
Listen for any of the following symptoms.
• Change in exhaust sound
• Excessive tire squeal when cornering
• Strange noises related to suspension system
• Pinging or other noises related to engine
■ P
roblems with operation
Check for any of the following symptoms.
• Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
• Appreciable loss of power
• Vehicle pulls to heavily one side when braking
• Vehicle pulls to heavily one sid e when driving on a le
vel road
• Loss of brake effectiveness, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
floor

328
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on...
If the brake system warning light comes on, stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake system.
Continuing to drive the vehicle may be dangerous. 
Immediately stop the vehicl e in a safe place and contact y
our Lexus
dealer.
* Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driv en at a speed of approximately 3 mph (5
km/h) or more.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn on or
flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does not necessarily
indicate a malfunction in the system.
Warning lightsWarning light/Details
(U.S.A)
(Canada)
Brake system warning light (Warning buzzer)*
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake booster system This light also comes on when the parking brake
is not released. If the light turns off after the
parking brake is fully released the system is
operating normally.

338
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Warning message and lightDetailsCorrection procedures
(flashes)
Open moon roof warn-
ing
If the driver's door is
opened with the igni-
tion switch turned off
and the moon roof is
opened.
Close the moon roof
when you leave your
vehicle.
Parking brake warning
(Warning buzzer)*1
Indicates that the
parking brake is not
released.Release the parking
brake.
Low tire pressure
warning
Tire inflation pressure
is low.Adjust the tire inflation to
the specified pressure.
Low washer fluid warn -
ing
Washer fluid level is
low.Fill the washer fluid tank.
Air conditioning filter
warning
Indicates that the air
conditioning filter is
clogged enough to
require replacement.Change the air condi-
tioning filter.