Page 305 of 425
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
288
NOTICE
Your ground clearance is reduced when thecompact spare tire is installed so avoid driving
over obstacles and drive slowly on rough,unpaved roads and speed bumps. Also, do not
attempt to go through an automatic car wash asthe vehicle may get caught, resulting in damage.
Access to spare tire (SportCross)
SV41029
1. Pull up the deck board.
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Page 320 of 425

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
303
(d) Emergency towing
SV41032
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done
by your Lexus dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable or chain
secured to the emergency towing eyelet. Use extreme
caution when towing the vehicle.
Automatic transmission: Use only the front towing eyelet
when towing your vehicle.
NOTICE
Only use specified towing eyelet; otherwise your vehicle may be damaged.
Automatic transmission: Never tow a vehicle fromthe rear with four wheels on the ground. This maycause serious damage to the transmission.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes.
Towing in this manner may be done only on hard±surfaced
roads for a short distance and at low speeds. Also, the wheels,
axles, drive train, steering and brakes must all be in good
condition.
CAUTION
Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle. Avoid
sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which would
place excessive stress on the emergency towing eyelet
and towing cable or chain. The eyelet and towing cable
or chain may break and cause serious injury or damage.
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Page 346 of 425

ENGINE
329
FUEL
Fuel type
Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mixups, your Lexus has a smaller
fuel tank opening. The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded
fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with
leaded gas will not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the
specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB
3.5±M93 in Canada.
NOTICE
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the three±way catalytic converter to lose itseffectiveness and the emission control system tofunction improperly. Also, this can increasemaintenance costs.
Octane rating
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating
of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum
engine performance. However, if such premium type
cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded
gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research
Octane Number 91). Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower
than stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If
severe, this will lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the
recommended fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while
holding a steady speed on level roads, consult your Lexus
dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice light knocking for a
short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
Gasoline containing detergent additives
Lexus recommends the use of gasoline that contains
detergent additives to avoid build±up of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S. contains detergent
additives to keep clean and/or clean intake systems.
Quality gasoline
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan
have developed a specification for quality fuel named
World±Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that is expected to be
applied world wide. The WWFC consists of four
categories
that depend on required emission levels. In the
U.S., category 3 has been adopted. The WWFC improves
air quality by providing for better emissions in vehicle
fleets, and customer satisfaction through better vehicle
performance.
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Page 349 of 425

ENGINE
332The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the
viscosity of the oil, the quality of the oil and the way the
vehicle is driven.
More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high
speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since its pistons, piston rings
and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption:
Max. 1.0L per 1000 km (1.1 qts./600 miles,
0.9 Imp. qts./600 miles)
When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in
mind that the oil may have become diluted, making it
difficult to judge the true level accurately.
For example, if a vehicle is used for repeated short trips and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not show
any drop in the oil level at all, even after 1000 km (600 miles)
or more. This is because the oil is gradually becoming diluted
with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the oil level has not
changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the vehicle is then
driven at high speeds, as on an expressway, making it appear
that oil is excessively consumed after driving at high speeds.
Importance of engine oil level check
One of the most important points in proper vehicle
maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum level so
that oil function will not be impaired. Therefore, it is essential
that the oil level be checked regularly. Lexus recommends that
the oil level be checked every time you refuel the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine trouble due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check, see ªChecking the
engine oil levelº on page 333.
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Page 361 of 425
CHASSIS
344
± TIRES AND WHEELS (Type A)
Standard tire:Tire sizeFront
Rear
215/45ZR17
225/45ZR17
Tire inflation pressureRecommended cold tire inflation pressure
Front 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
Rear 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar, 35 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 70 kPa
(0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but
never exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
Wheel size
Front
Rear
17 x 7 JJ
17 x 7 1/2 JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
Spare tire:
Tire size
215/45ZR17
Tire inflation pressureRecommended cold tire inflation pressure
240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar, 35 psi)
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Page 363 of 425
CHASSIS
346
± TIRES AND WHEELS (Type B)Tire size
215/45ZR17
Tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
Front 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
Rear 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 70 kPa
(0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but
never exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
Wheel size17 x 7 JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
NOTE:
For complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wh\
eels), see ªChecking tire inflation pressureº
through ªAluminum wheel precautionsº on page 351 through 374.
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Page 364 of 425
CHASSIS
347
± TIRES AND WHEELS (Type C)
Standard tire:Tire size
P205/55R16 89V
Tire inflation pressureRecommended cold tire inflation pressure
Front 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
Rear 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add the tire
pressure given below to the front tires and rear tires, but never
exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
Sedan 70 kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
SportCross Front: 70 kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
Rear: 90 kPa (0.9 kgf/cm2, 0.9 bar, 15 psi)
Wheel size16 x 6 1/2JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
Compact spare tire (IS300 sold in Canada only):
Tire size
T125/70D17 98M
Tire inflation pressure420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 60 psi)
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Page 376 of 425
CHASSIS
359
SV63013a
Type BThe illustration indicates typical tire size.
1Tire use (P=Passenger car, T=Temporary use)
2Section width (in millimeters)
3Aspect ratio (tire height to section width)
4Speed category (alphabet with one letter)
5Tire construction code(R=Radial, D=Diagonal)
6Wheel diameter (in inches)
7Load index (2 digits or 3 digits)
8Speed symbol (alphabet with one letter)
SV63012c
1Section width
2Tire height
3Wheel diameter
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