1999 Lexus ES300 wheel

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
344If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have
it done by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow
truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency,
your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or
chain secured to the emergency towing eyelet. Use
extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on
hard±surfaced roads for a short distance and at low
speeds. Also, the wheels, axles, drive train, steering
and brakes must all be in good condition.

MAINTENANCE
353
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that
should be performed at the intervals specified. It is
recommended that any problem you notice be brought
to the attention of your Lexus dealer or qualified service
shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to
time, unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at
least once a month and adjust as shown on the tire
pressure label. See page 397 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 399 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary. Tire rotation
Rotate
the tires every 12000 km (7500 miles). See page
398 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other
fluid after the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you
smell fuel fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors, including trunk lid, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the
engine hood secondary latch secures the hood when the
primary latch is released.

MAINTENANCE
354
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g.
while performing periodic services, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlight, stop lights, tail lights, turn
signal lights, and other lights are working. Check
headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Check that it has the specified freeplay. Be alert for
changes in steering condition, such as hard steering,
excessive freeplay or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the
head restraints move up and down smoothly and that the
locks hold securely in any latched position.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles,
retractors and anchors operate properly and smoothly.
Make sure the belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or
damaged. Accelerator pedal
Check
the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal
effort or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and freeplay. Check the brake booster
function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one
side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on
a safe incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the
parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mechanism
Check the lock release button of the selector lever for
proper and smooth operation. On a safe incline, check
that your vehicle is held securely with the selector lever
in ºPº position and all brakes released.

SECTION 6 ± 3
388
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications389
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 391
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid 393
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 397
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 398
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 399
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 403
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 406
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 406
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 407
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHASSIS
390± STEERING
Wheel freeplay
Power steering fluid type
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
± TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire 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/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi) (Both front and
rear)
220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 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.)

CHASSIS
397
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 month. 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 pr oper 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

CHASSIS
399
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 and be sure to install them in the
same direction when using them again. Tires should be
stored in a cool dry place.
CHECKING AND REPLACING TIRES
When to replace your tires

CHASSIS
402have poor traction performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straight 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 performance 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.