2004 Lexus IS300 Tire

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
292
SV41028
To remove the spare tire:
1Remove the tool tray
2Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the inner side
of the wheel facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and
install the tool tray to prevent the tire from flying forward
during a collision or sudden braking.
SV41033
2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to
keep the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block in front of
one of the front wheels or behind one of the rear wheels.
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
294
SV41031
5. After making sure no one is in the vehicle, raise it
high enough so that the spare tire can be installed.
Allow for the fact that you need more ground clearance
when putting on the spare tire than when removing the
flat tire.
To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle into the jack
(it is a loose fit) and turn it clockwise. As the jack touches
the vehicle and begins to lift, double-check that it is
properly positioned.
CAUTION
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
SS41011
6. Remove the wheel nuts and remove the flat tire.
Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside.
SL41003
7. Remove the wheel ornament.
When installing the alloy wheels, at this point, remove
the wheel ornament from the flat tire and replace it on the
newly installed tire.
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
295
SS41012
Before putting on the wheel, remove any corrosion on
the mounting surfaces with a wire brush or such.
Installation of wheels without good metal- to- metal
contact at the mounting surface can cause wheel nuts to
loosen and eventually cause a wheel to come off while
driving.
SS41013
8. Reinstall all the wheel nuts finger tight.
Align the holes in the wheel with the bolts. Then lift up
the wheel and get at least the top bolt started through its
hole. Wiggle the tire and press it back over the other
bolts.
Reinstall the wheel nuts and tighten them as much as
you can by hand. Press the tire back and see if you can
tighten them more.
CAUTION
Never use oil or grease on the bolts or nuts. Doing
so may lead to overtightening the nuts and
damaging the bolts. The nuts may loosen and the
wheels may fall off, which could cause a serious
accident. If there is oil or grease on any bolt or nut,
clean it.
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
297
SL41002
10. Reinstall the wheel ornament.
Put the wheel ornament into position and then tap it
firmly with the side or heel of your hand to snap it into
place.
CAUTION
Take due care in handling the ornament to avoid
unexpected personal injury.
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 possibly
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
 When reinstalling a standard tire, take due care
in handling the ornament to avoid unexpected
personal injury.
 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.
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
298
IF YOUR VEHICLE BECOMESSTUCK
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,
then you may attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving
it forward and backward.
Your vehicle is equipped with the traction control system,
turn off the system to become unstuck to allow the tires
to spin enough to remove the vehicle from the
obstruction. (For details, see ºTraction control systemº
on page 252 or 255.)
CAUTION
Do not attempt to rock the vehicle free by moving it
forward and backward if people or objects are anywhere
near the vehicle. During the rocking operation the
vehicle may suddenly move forward or backward as it
becomes unstuck, causing injury or damage to nearby
people or objects.
NOTICE
If you rock your vehicle, observe the following precautions to prevent damage to the transmission and
other parts.
Do not depress the accelerator pedal while shifting the selector lever or before the transmission iscompletely shifted to forward or reverse gear.
Do not race the engine and avoid spinning thewheels.
If your vehicle remains stuck after rocking the vehicleseveral times, consider other ways such as towing.
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MAINTENANCE
311
Parking brake
Check that the lever 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
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and all brakes released.
Vehicle exterior
Items
listed below should be performed from time to time,
unless otherwise specified.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.
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 or back door, operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine
hood secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch
is released.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire inflation pressure with a gauge every two
weeks, or at least once a month and adjust as shown on
the tire and loading information label. See page 349 for
additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 365 for additional information.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the maintenance schedule.
(For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the Owner's Manual Supplementº or Scheduled
Maintenanceº.) See page 363 or 364 for additional
information.
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MAINTENANCE
312
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEEDREPAIRING?
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
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It
could result in serious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.
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SECTION 6 ± 3
339
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications340
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Checking brake fluid 347
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Checking power steering fluid 348
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Checking tire inflation pressure 349
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tire information
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Types of tires362
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Rotating tires 363
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Checking and replacing tires 365
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Installing snow tires and chains 367
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Replacing wheels 370
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Aluminum wheel precautions 371
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Suspension and chassis 371
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