2003 Lexus GX 470 Owners Manual - Page 841

DRIVING TIPS D Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off−road driving that has taken you through rough terrain, sand, mud, or water. For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the "Owner's Manual Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance". WINTER DRIVING TIPS Make sure your coolant is properly protected against freezing. Your coolant must contain ethylene−glycol type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use "Toyota Genuine Long Life Coolant" or equivalent. See "Checking the engine coolant level" on page 422 for instructions. NOTICE Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone. When it is extremely cold, we recommend to use 60% solution for your Lexus, to provide protection down to about −50_C (−58_F). Do not use more than 70% solution for better coolant performance. 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 447 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 420 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. 344