DRIVING TIPS159
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKE YOURVEHICLE LAST LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel is easy ± just ta\
ke
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific
tips on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check the pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month. Underinflation causes tire wear
and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is running smoothly,
begin driving ± but gently. Remember, however, that on cold winter days
this may take a little longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you are not in traf fic,
it is better to turn off the engine and start again later.
Avoid engine overrevving. Use a gear position suitable for the road on
which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down. Stop±and±go driving
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper
distance from other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also reduce
wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes needless wear,
overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you drive, the
greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your speed, you will cut down
on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.\
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc. This not only
lessens weight but also helps prevent corrosion.
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.