DRIVING TIPS
309
Slow down and downshift before descending
steep or long downhill grades. Do not make
sudden downshifts.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to
overheat and result in reduced braking
efficiency.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND
MAKE YOUR VEHICLE LAST
LONGER
Getting more kilometer/mileage from a liter/gallon of fuel
is easy ± just take 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 traffic, 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 si gnals
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.
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.
