2000 Lexus GS300 snow chains

SECTION 6 ± 3
412
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications (GS400) 413. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications (GS300) 416. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid 420. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid (GS400) 422. . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid (GS300) 426. . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire pressure 429. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires 432. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires 433. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains 436. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels 438. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 438. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 439. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHASSIS
433
CHECKING AND REPLACING
TIRES
When to replace your tires
63G001

1New tread 2Tread wear indicator
3Worn tread
Replace the tires when the tread wear indicators
show. The location of the tread wear indicators is
shown by the ºTWIº or º
Dº marks molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
The tires on your Lexus have built±in tread wear
indicators to help you know when the tires need
replacement. When the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm
(0.06 in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If you can
see the indicators in two or more adjacent grooves, the
tire should be replaced.Vehicles equipped with 235/45R17 tires: Your Lexus
has been fitted with specially developed tires which
provide exceptional dynamic performance under
general road conditions. However your riding comfort
may worsen a little and road noise may increase during
driving. You may also notice that your tires will wear
more rapidly and tire grip performance will be reduced
on the snowy and/or icy roads when compared to
standard tires. Be sure to have snow tires or tire chains
on the snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully with
the speed appropriate for road conditions.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread

CHASSIS
436
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.

CHASSIS
437
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the rear 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.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the snow tires incorrectly inflated.
Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph) with any type of
snow tires.
Tire chain selection
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary
according to location or type of road. Always check
the local regulations before installing chains.
Use SAE Class ºSº type radial tire chains, with the
exception of radial cable chains or V±bar type chains.
Chain installation
Install the chains on the rear tires as tightly as
possible. Do not use tire chains on the front tires.
Retighten chains after driving 0.5 ± 1.0 km (1/4 ± 1/2
mile).
When installing chains on your tires, carefully follow the
instructions of the chain manufacturer.
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
438
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bends, cracks or
heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the tire may slip
off the wheel or 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.