1998 Lexus ES300 wheel

CHASSIS
204
± STEERING
Wheel freeplay
Power steering fluid type
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
± TIRES AND WHEELSTire size
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure Vehicle load up to 4 occupants
Vehicle loaded up to vehicle capacity weight
Spare tire
Trailer towing (conventional and snow tires)
Wheel size
Wheel nut torque
P205/65 R15 92V
180 kPa (1.8 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 26 psi) (Both front and rear)
220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi) (Both front and rear)
220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi) (Both front and rear)
15 x 6 JJ
103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)

CHASSIS207
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be damaged.
CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE
63E004±1
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the vehicle capacity
weight are given on the label.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at least once a mon\
th.
And don't forget the spare! The air pressure for the spare tire should be 220
kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi). Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire life and
make your vehicle less safe to drive. Low tire pressure results in excessive wear, poor handling, reduced fuel
economy,
and the possibility of blowouts from overheated tires. Also, low tire
pressure can cause poor sealing of the tire bead. If the tire pressure is
excessively low, there is the possibility of wheel deformation and/or tire
separation. So keep your tire pressures at the proper level. If a tire needs
frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride, handling problems, excessive wear
at the center of the tire tread, and a greater possibility of tire damage \
from road
hazards.
The following instructions for checking tire pressure should be observed:
 The pressure should be checked only when the tires are cold. If your
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you will get an accurate cold tire pressure
reading.
 Always use a tire pressure gauge. The appearance of the tire can be
misleading. Besides, tire pressures that are even just a few pounds off can
degrade handling and ride.
 Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is normal for the
tire pressure to be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The passengers and luggage
weight should be located so that the vehicle is balanced.
 Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps. Without the valve caps, dirt or
moisture could get into the valve core and cause air leakage. If the ca\
ps
have been lost, have new ones put on as soon as possible.

CHASSIS
208
ROTATING TIRES
63E005±1
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Lexus recommends that
you rotate your tires approximately every 12000 km (7500 miles).
However, the most appropriate timing for tire rotation may vary
according to your driving habits and road surface conditions.
The wheel assemblies must be rotated as illustrated above.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is\
usually caused by incorrect tire pressure, improper wheel alignment, out\
±of
balance wheels, or severe braking.
Before storing radial, snow or studded tires, mark the direction of rotation an\
d
be sure to install them in the same direction when using them again. Tire\
s
should be stored in a cool dry place.
CHECKING AND REPLACING TIRES
When to replace your tires
63E006

1 New tread 2Tread wear indicator 3Worn tread
Replace the tires when the tread wear indicators show. The location of
the tread wear indicators is shown by the marks such as ºTWIº or º
Dº
marks molded on the sidewall of each tire.
The tires on your Lexus have built±in tread wear indicators to help you \
know
when the tires need replacement. When the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06
in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If you can see the indicators in two or
more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.).

CHASSIS
210
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straigh\
t
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C
± The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can \
lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performan\
ce
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade of this tire established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use only the same size and construction as
originally installed and with the same or greater load capacity.
Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect handling, ride,
speedometer/odometer calibration, ground clearance, and clearance between
the body and tires or snow chains.
Do not mix radial, belted, or conventional tires on your vehicle.
Do not use tires or wheels other than the manufacturer's recommended
size.
It can cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of co\
ntrol.
If you need to change from conventional tires to radial tires or vice ve\
rsa,
replace them as a set.
INSTALLING SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
When to use snow tires or chains
Snow tires or chains are recommended when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional or radial tires provide better traction \
than
snow or studded tires.
Snow tire selection
If you need snow tires, select the same size, construction and load capacity
as the original tires on your Lexus.
Do not use tires other than stated above. Since your vehicle has radial t\
ires
as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial
construction. Do not install studded tires without first checking local
regulations for possible restrictions.
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front wheels only can lead to an excessive
difference in road grip capability between the front and rear tires which could
cause loss of vehicle control.

CHASSIS211
CAUTION
Snow tires should be inflated to the same pressure as the
original tires.
 Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph) with any type of snow
tires.
Tire chain selection
Regulations r egarding the use of tire chains vary according to location or
type of road. Always check the local regulations before installing chains.
Use SAE Class ºSº type radial tire chains, with the exception of radi\
al cable
chains or V±bar type chains.
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 locked±wheel braking, as use of
chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.

CHASSIS
212
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or heavy corrosion, the
wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, a tire may slip off a wheel or they may
cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they may have been
subjected to rough treatment or high mileage and could fail without warning.
Also, bent wheels which have been straightened may have hidden structural
damage and therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a leaking
wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are
equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width, and
offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect handling, wheel and
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping
ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or
snow chain clearance to the body and chassis.
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
 After driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check that the
wheel nuts are tight.
 If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires, check that the whe\
el
nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
 When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels.
 Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.
 When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus balance weights or
equivalent and a plastic or rubber hammer.
 As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum wheels for damage.
If damaged, replace immediately.
SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis with lift kits, spacers,
springs, etc. It can cause dangerous handling characteristics,
resulting in loss of control.

BODY233
SPECIFICATIONS
± DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTOverall length
Overall width
Overall height
Wheelbase
Tread ± Front ± Rear
Vehicle capacity weight (occupants + luggage)
4830 mm (190.2 in.)
1790 mm (70.5 in.)
1395 mm (54.9 in.)*
2670 mm (105.1 in.)
1545 mm (60.8 in.)
1520 mm (59.8 in.)
410 kg (900 lb.)
*: Unladen vehicle
± FUEL TANK
Capacity
70 L (18.5 gal., 15.4 lmp.gal.)

BODY
234
PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLE FROMCORROSION
Proper care of your Lexus can help ensure long±term corrosion prevention.
The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle are:

The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in hard±to±reach are\
as
under the vehicle.

Chipping of paint or undercoating caused by minor accidents or by stones
and gravel.
The following conditions will cause or accelerate corrosion of your
vehicle, so it is important to keep your vehicle, particularly the underside,
as clean as possible and to repair any damage to paint or protective
coatings as soon as possible.

The presence of road salt or dust control chemicals, salt in the air near t\
he
sea coast, industrial air pollution.

High humidity, especially at temperatures just above freezing point.

Certain parts of your vehicle are wet or damp for an extended period of
time, even though other parts of the vehicle are dry.

Components of the vehicle which are prevented from quick±drying due to
lack of proper ventilation are exposed to high temperature. To help prevent corrosion on your Lexus, follow these guidelines:
Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing.
In addition, observe the
following points.

If you drive on salted roads in the winter or if you live near the ocean, \
you
should hose off the undercarriage at least once a month to minimize
corrosion.

High pressure water or steam is effective for cleaning the vehicle's
underside and wheel housings. Pay particular attention to these areas as
it is difficult to see all the mud and dirt. It will do more harm than good to
simply wet the mud and debris without removing them. The lower edge
of doors, rocker panels and frame members have drain holes which should
not be allowed to clog with dirt as trapped water in these areas can cause
corrosion.

Wash the underside of the vehicle thoroughly when winter is over.
See ºWashing and waxingº for more tips.
Check the condition of your vehicle's paint and trim. If you find any chips
or scratches in the paint, touch them up immediately to prevent corrosion f\
rom
starting. If the chips or scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a
qualified body shop make the repair.