1996 Lexus LX 450 Owners Manual - Page 165

1996 Lexus LX 450 Manual

Page 165 highlights

DRIVING TIPS WINTER DRIVING TIPS Make sure you have ethylene-glycol antifreeze in the radiator. Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution. This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how much to mix with water. NOTICE Do not use alcohol type antifreeze. Check the condition of the battery and cables. Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter starting. Page 224 tells you how to visually inspect the battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be pleased to check the battery charge level. Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the cold weather. See page 204 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call your Lexus dealer - they will be pleased to help. Check the electronic ignition system/distributor ignition system for loose connections or obvious damage. Keep the door locks from freezing. Squirt lock de-icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from freezing. To open a frozen lock, try heating the key before inserting it. NOTICE Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute (as washer fluid) because it may damage your vehicle's paint. Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility it could freeze. When parking, put the transmission into "P" and block the front wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism may freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release. Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders. Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you carry some emergency equipment. Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel, jumper cables, etc. 154

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DRIVING TIPS
154
WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Make sure you have ethylene–glycol antifreeze in the
radiator.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze.
Check the condition of the battery and cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of any battery, so it
must be in top shape to provide enough power for winter
starting. Page 224 tells you how to visually inspect the
battery. Your Lexus dealer and most service stations will be
pleased to check the battery charge level.
Make sure the engine oil viscosity is suitable for the
cold weather.
See page 204 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy
summer oil in your vehicle during winter months may cause
harder starting. If you are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Lexus dealer – they will be pleased to help.
Check
the
electronic
ignition
system/distributor
ignition system for loose connections or obvious
damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de–icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them
from freezing. To open a frozen lock, try heating the key
before inserting it.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute
(as washer fluid) because it may damage your
vehicle’s paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a
possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into “P” and block the
front wheels. Do not use the parking brake, or snow or water
accumulated in and around the parking brake mechanism
may freeze the parking brake, making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the
fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving, we recommend
you carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the vehicle are tire
chains, window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small
shovel, jumper cables, etc.