1999 Lexus LS400 tires

DRIVING TIPS
332
Tires
Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended cold tire
pressure indicated below:
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Front 220 (2.2, 32)
Rear 220 (2.2, 32)
 The trailer tires should be inflated to the pressure
recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect
to the total trailer weight.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations. See your local
recreational vehicle dealer or rental agency for the
correct type of wiring and relays for your trailer.
Check for correct operation of the turn signals and
stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may
damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a
malfunction of your lights.
Break±in schedule
 Lexus recommends that you do not tow a trailer with
a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train
component (engine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearing, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of
driving.
Maintenance
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more
frequent maintenance due to the additional load. For
this information, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the ºOwner's Manual
Supplement/ Maintenance Scheduleº.
 Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket
after approximately 1000 km (600 miles) of trailer
driving.
Pre±towing safety check
 Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded
or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive if the
vehicle has an abnormal nose±up or nose±down
condition, and check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible causes.
 Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that
it cannot shift.
 Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any
federal, state/provincial or local regulation. If they do
not, install required rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.

DRIVING TIPS
336
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.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
365
11. After changing the wheel, check the air pressure
of the replaced tire. Stow all the tools, jack and flat
tire securely.
If the pressure of the replaced tire is low, drive slowly to
the nearest service station and fill to the correct
pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire valve cap as dirt and
moisture could get into the valve core and possible
cause air leakage. If the cap is missing, put a new one
on as soon as possible.
This is the same procedure for changing or rotating your
tires.
CAUTION
Before driving, make sure all the tools, jack and flat tire
are securely in place in their storage location to reduce
the possibility of personal injury during a collision or
sudden braking.

MAINTENANCE
381
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 421 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 425 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
423 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
384Engine oil level
Check
the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off
and the vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 405 for
additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in
the ºHOTº or ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See page 419 for additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust or
smell exhaust fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 3±1.)
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds,
and visual tip±offs that indicate service is needed. Some
important clues are:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water
dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)

Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a
dangerous carbon monoxide leak. Drive with the
windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)

Flat±looking tires, excessive tire squeal when
cornering, uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a
level road

Strange noises related to suspension movement

Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake
pedal, pedal almost touches floors, vehicle pulls to
one side when braking

Engine coolant temperature continually higher than
normal

SECTION 6 ± 3
414
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications415
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 417
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid 419
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 421
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 423
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 425
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 429
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 431
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 431
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 432
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHASSIS
416± STEERING
Freeplay
Power steering fluid
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
± TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire size
Tire inflation pressure Recommended cold tire inflation pressureVehicle load up to four occupants
Vehicle loaded up to vehicle capacity weight
Wheel size
Wheel nut torque
P225/60R16 97V
Front 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 29 psi)
Rear 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2 or bar, 29 psi)
Front 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 32 psi)
Rear 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100
mph), in countries where such speeds are permitted
by law, add 80 kPa (0.9 kgf/cm
2, 0.8 bar, 12 psi) to the
front tires and rear tires, but never exceed the
maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
16 x 7 JJ
103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)

CHASSIS
422The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and
the vehicle capacity weight are given on the label
inside the glove box lid.
You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or
at least once a month. And don't forget the spare! The
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 pr essures 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 caps have been
lost, have new ones put on as soon as possible.