1999 Lexus ES300 wheel

CHASSIS
403
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 control. If you need to change from
conventional tires to radial tires or vice versa, 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 tires 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.

CHASSIS
405
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
406
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 wheel 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.

BODY
443
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
445
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 p ressure 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 cond ition of your vehicle's paint and trim.
If you find any chips or scratches in the paint, touch them
up immediately to prevent corrosion from starting. If the
chips or scratches have gone through the bare metal,
have a qualified body shop make the repair. Check the interior of your vehicle. Water and dirt can
accumulate under the floor mats and could cause
corrosion. Occasionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry. Be particularly careful when
transporting chemicals, cleansers, fertilizers, salt, etc.
These should be transported in proper containers. If a
spill or leak should occur, immediately clean and dry the
area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated garage or a
roofed place. Do not park your vehicle in a damp,
poorly ventilated garage.
If you wash your vehicle in
the garage, or if you drive it in covered with water or
snow, your garage may be so damp it will cause
corrosion. Even if your garage is heated, a wet vehicle
can corrode if the ventilation is poor.

BODY
446
WASHING AND WAXING
Washing your Lexus
Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing.
The following cases may cause weakness to the paint
or corrosion to the body and parts. Wash your vehicle
as soon as possible.

When driving in a coastal area

When driving on a road sprinkled with antifreeze

When having stuck of coal tar, tree sap, bird
droppings and carcass of an insect

When driving in the areas where there is a lot of
smoke, soot, dust, iron dust and chemical substance

When the vehicle becomes remarkably dirty with dust
and mud
Hand±washing your Lexus
Work in the shade and wait until the vehicle body is
not hot to the touch.
1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Remove any mud or
road salt from the underside of the vehicle or in the wheel
wells. 2. Wash with a mild car±wash soap, mixed according to
the manufacturer's instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt
and keep it wet by dipping it frequently into the wash
water. Do not rub hard ± let the soap and water remove
the dirt.
Aluminum wheels:
Use only a mild soap or neutral
detergent.
Urethane bumpers and side moldings: Wash
carefully. Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners. The
bumper and side molding faces are soft.
Road tar: Remove with turpentine or cleaners that are
marked safe for painted surfaces.
NOTICE
Do not use gasoline or strong solvents, which
may be toxic or cause damage.
3. Rinse thoroughly ± dried soap can cause streaking.
In hot weather you may need to rinse each section right
after you wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean
soft cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard ± you might
scratch the paint.