engine coolant LEXUS SC300 1999 User Guide

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
281
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ºPº and apply the
parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no
sign of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been
seriously damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for
assistance.
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until there
is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is sign of very high
pressure.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
282B: If no steam is coming from your engine:
Leave the engine running and turn off the air conditioning.
Check the following.


Is the cooling fan operating?

Is the coolant in the acceptable range?

Is the engine drive belt O.K.?
CAUTION

When the engine is running, keep hands and clothing away
from the moving fan and engine drive belt.

Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine
and radiator are hot. Serious injury could result from
scalding hot fluid and steam blown out under pressure.
If the cooling fan is not operating or the coolant is not in the
acceptable range, turn off the engine and call your Lexus
dealer.
If both conditions are O.K., after the engine coolant
temperature has cooled to normal, continue driving your
vehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature does not cool down, or your
vehicle overheats again, have it checked as soon as possible
by your Lexus dealer.

MAINTENANCE
314
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 396
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 347 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 380 for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 359 for
additional information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and
the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 342 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 361 for additional information.
Engine fan fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir. The level should be in
ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 349 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.)

MAINTENANCE
315
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEEDREPAIRING?
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
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs
adjustment or repair.

INTRODUCTION
326

Rag or paper towel

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

ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
See ºChecking the engine coolant levelº on page 342 for
instructions.

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking the engine fan fluid
Part (if level is low)

Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON
II or III
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Tools:

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)

SECTION 6 ± 2
329
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
Specifications (SC400) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
330
Specifications (SC300) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
334
Fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . . . . . . . .
337
Facts about engine oil consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
339
Used engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
341
Checking the engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
342
Checking the engine coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
347
Checking the engine fan fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
349
Spark plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
. . .
350

ENGINE
331
Oil capacity
Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
Oil grade
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
4.7 L (5.0 qt., 4.2 lmp.qt.)
4.8 L (5.1 qt., 4.2 lmp.qt.)
API SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil
± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
11.6 L (12.3 qt., 10.2 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.
± FUEL
Fuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher

ENGINE
335
Oil capacity
Drain and refillwith filter
without filter
Oil grade
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
5.2 L (5.5 qt., 4.5 lmp.qt.)
4.9 L (5.2 qt., 4.4 lmp.qt.)
API SJ, ºEnergy±Conservingº multigrade engine oil or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil
± COOLING SYSTEM
Capacity
Coolant type
8.4 L (8.9 qt., 7.4 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.
± FUEL
Fuel type
Octane rating
Only UNLEADED
91 (Research octane number 96) or higher

ENGINE
347
Oil identification marks
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. ºEner gy±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
348
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. Visually
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.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the radiator cap
when the engine is hot.