1997 Lexus SC 400 Owners Manual - Page 212

ENGINE Gasolines containing alcohol Gasohol is a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. If you use gasohol in your Lexus, be sure that it is unleaded, has an octane rating no lower than 87 and does not contain more than 10% ethanol. Lexus does not recommend the use of gasolines containing methanol. If you use gasoline containing methanol, use only gasoline meeting the requirements above and also containing less than 5% methanol with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol. FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION Functions of engine oil Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining the engine in proper working order. Engine oil consumption It is normal that an engine should consume some engine oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil consumption in a normal engine are as follows: NOTICE S Do not use gasohol other than stated above. It will cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems. S If drivability problems are encountered (poor hot starting, vaporizing, engine knock, etc.), discontinue its use. S Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may cause paint damage. S Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of the oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by the high temperature combustion gases during the combustion process. S Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves. Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve stems. Fuel tank capacity 78 L (20.6 gal., 17.2 Imp.gal.) 203