automatic LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

MAINTENANCE
533
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It
could result in serious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE (I/M) PROGRAMS
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs
which include OBD (On −Board Diagnostics) checks.
The OBD system monitors the operation of the emission
control system. When the OBD system determines that a
problem exists somewhere in the emission control system, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. In this case, your vehicle
may not pass the I/M test and need to be repaired. Contact
your Lexus dealer to service the vehicle.
Even if the malfunction indicator lamp does not come on, your
vehicle may not pass the I/M test as readiness codes have not
been set in the OBD system.
Readiness codes are automatically set during ordinary driving.
However, when the battery is disconnected or run down, the
codes are erased. Also, depending on your driving habits, the
codes may not be completely set.
Also, if the malfunction indicator lamp had come on recently
due to temporary malfunction such as a loose fuel tank cap,
your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after taking several
driving trips, but the error code in the OBD system will not be
cleared unless about 40 trips or more are taken.

INTRODUCTION
541
DOITYOURSELF 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 “Parts and tools” on page 543.
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:
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.
 If the engine is hot, do not remove the radiator cap or
loosen the drain plugs to prevent burning yourself.
 Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as
paper or rags, in the engine compartment.
 Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
around fuel or the battery. Their fumes are
flammable.
 Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or
other solid supports.
 Be sure that the ignition is off if you work near the
electric cooling fans or radiator grille. With the
ignition on, the electric cooling fans will
automatically start to run if the engine coolant
temperature is high and/or the air conditioning is on.

INTRODUCTION
542
Use eye protection whenever you work on or under
your vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or
falling material, fluid spray, etc.
 Take care when filling the brake fluid reservoir
because brake fluid can harm your eyes and damage
painted surfaces. If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water immediately. If you still feel
uncomfortable with your eyes, go to the doctor.
 Be extremely cautious when working on the battery.
It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.NOTICE
Remember that battery and ignition cables carry high
currents or voltages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
 Before closing the engine hood, check to see that you
have not forgotten any tools, rags, etc.
 Do not drive with the air cleaner removed, or
excessive engine wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
 If you spill the fluid, be sure to wash it off with water
to prevent it from damaging the parts or paint.
 Do not overfill automatic transmission fluid and
power steering fluid, or the transmission and power
steering could be damaged.
 Be careful not to scratch the glass surface with the
wiper frame.

INTRODUCTION
543
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):
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
See page 558 for details about engine oil selection.
Tools:
 Rag or paper towel
 Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality
ethylene glycol based non −silicate, non− amine, non−nitrite,
and non −borate coolant with long −life hybrid organic acid
technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50%
coolant and 50% deionized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water (for Canada). Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):
FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:
 Rag or paper towel
 Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:
 Rag or paper towel
 Funnel (only for adding fluid)

INTRODUCTION
546
When raising the vehicle, do not place any objects on
top of or underneath the jack.
 Vehicles with electronically modulated air
suspension: When jacking up, be sure to turn off the
height control and stop the engine. Otherwise, the
vehicle height may change in the automatic leveling
function, resulting in an unexpected accident. For
details, see page 446.
NOTICE
Make sure to place the jack correctly, or your vehicle
may be damaged.

CHASSIS
564
SPECIFICATIONS
— REAR DIFFERENTIALOil capacity
0.9 L (1.0 qt., 0.8 Imp. qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL −5
Recommended oil viscosityAbove − 18C (0F) SAE 90
Below − 18C (0F) SAE 80W or 80W −90
NOTE:
“Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil” is used in your Lexus vehicle. Use Lexus approve\
d “Toyota Genuine Differential Gear Oil ”
or equivalent to satisfy the following grade and viscosity. Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.
— AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Fluid capacity Drain and refill
3.5 L (3.7 qt., 3.1 Imp. qt.)
Fluid typeToyota Genuine ATF Type TIV*
* Change automatic transmission fluid only as necessary.
Generally, it is necessary to change automatic transmission
fluid only if your vehicle is driven under one of the Special
Operating Conditions listed in your “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”. When changing the
automatic transmission fluid, use only “Toyota Genuine ATF
Type T−IV” (ATF JWS3309 or NWS6500) to aid in assuring
optimum transaxle performance.NOTICE
Using automatic transmission fluid other than “Toyota
Genuine ATF Type TIV” may cause deterioration in
shift quality, locking up of your transmission
accompanied by vibration, and ultimately damage the
automatic transmission of your vehicle.
Please contact your Lexus dealer for further details.

CHASSIS
565
— TRANSFER
Oil capacity
0.9 L (1.0 qt., 0.8 Imp. qt.)
Oil typeHypoid gear oil API GL −5
Recommended oil viscosityAbove − 18C (0F) SAE 90
Below − 18C (0F) SAE 80W or 80W −90
— BRAKES
Pedal clearance
80 mm (3.1 in.) Min. *1
Pedal free play2 — 3 mm (0.079 — 0.118 in.)
Brake pad wear limit1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
Parking brake lining wear limit1.0 mm (0.04 in.)
Parking brake adjustment5 — 7 clicks *2
Fluid typeSAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
*1: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with the pressure of 490 N (50\
kgf, 110 lbf) with the engine running
*2: Parking brake adjustment when depressed with the pressure of 300 N (3\
1 kgf, 67 lbf)
— STEERING
Wheel free play
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid typeAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III

CHASSIS
569
CHECKING POWER STEERINGFLUID
The power steering fluid reservoir is located under the
engine compartment cover. Before checking the power
steering fluid, remove the cover. (For details, see
“Removing the e ngine compartment cover” on page 540.)
Check the fluid level through the reservoir. If necessary,
add automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III .
If the vehicle has been driven around 80 km/h (50 mph) for 20
minutes (a little more in frigid temperatures), the fluid is hot
(60 C — 80C or 140F — 175F). You may also check the
level when the fluid is cold (about room temperature, 10 C —
30 C or 50F — 85F) if the engine has not been run for about
five hours.
1If cold O.K.2If cold add3If hot O.K.
4If hot add
Clean all dirt off the reservoir and look at the fluid level. If the
fluid is cold, the level should be in the “COLD” range. Similarly,
if it is hot, the fluid level should be in the “HOT” range. If th\
e
level is at the low side of the appropriate range, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III to bring the level within
the range.
To remove the reservoir cap, turn it counterclockwise and lift
up. To reinstall it, turn it clockwise. After replacing the reservoir
cap, visually check the steering box case, vane pump and hose
connections for leaks or damage.

CHASSIS
579
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Accessory weightthe combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be rep\
laced)
of automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, \
power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory−installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Cold tire inflation
pressuretire inflation pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 \
hours or
more, or it has not been driven more than 1.5 km or 1 mile under that co\
ndition
Curb weightthe weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maxi\
mum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditionin\
g and
additional weight optional engine
Intended outboard
sidewall(a) the sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bearsmanufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or deeper
than the same molding on the other sidewall of the tire, or
(b) the outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that has a particula\
r side that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle
Maximum inflation
pressurethe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated and \
it is
shown on the sidewall of the tire
Maximum loaded
vehicle weightthe sum of —
(a) curb weight;
(b) accessory weight;
(c) vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) production options weight

CHASSIS
589
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary
according to location or type of road. Always check local
regulations before installing chains.
NOTICE
If the wrong combination of tire and chain is used, the
chains could damage the vehicle body.
Chain installation
Install the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Do not use tire chains on the rear tires. Retighten chains
after driving 0.5 — 1.0 km (1/4 — 1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, carefully follow the
instructions of the chain manufacturer.
CAUTION

Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain
manufacturer’s recommended speed limit,
whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully avoiding bumps, holes, and sharp
turns, which may cause the vehicle to bounce.
 Avoid sharp turns or lockedwheel braking, as use of
chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.
 When driving with chains installed, be sure to drive
carefully. Slow down before entering curves to avoid
losing control of the vehicle. Otherwise an accident
may occur.
 Vehicles with electronically modulated air
suspension: When installing the tire chains, be sure
to turn off the height control and stop the engine.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may change in the
automatic leveling function, resulting in an
unexpected accident. For details, see page 446.
If the chains are installed, the tire pressure warning
system may not operate properly. See “Tire pressure
warning system” on page 462.