Page 487 of 539
CHASSIS
468
CAUTION
The reservoir may be hot so be careful not to burn
yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be
damaged.
When adding the power steering fluid, avoid spilling
it. The generator under the power steering reservoir
could be damaged if fluid is spilled on it.
CHECKING TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURE
63L027a
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure, tire
size and the combined weight of occupants and
cargo (vehicle capacity weight) are described on the
tire and loading information label.
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469
You should check the tire inflation pressures every two
weeks, or at least once a month. And do not forget the
spare! The pressure for the spare tire should be the
same as that for the standard tire. (See pages 463
through 465.)
The following instructions for checking tire inflation
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 inflation pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge. The appearance
of the tire can be misleading. Besides, tire inflation
pressures that are even just a few pounds off can
degrade ride and handling.
Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after
driving. It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to
be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be located so
that the vehicle is balanced. Inspection and adjustment procedure
63L024
1Tire valve
2Tire pressure gauge
1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire
valve.
3. Read the pressure using the graduations of the
gauge.
4. In case the tire inflation pressure is not within the
prescribed range, insert the compressed air from the
valve. In case of app lying too much air, press the center
of the valve and release the air to adjust.
5. After completing the tire inflation pressure
measurement and adjustment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
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6. Install the tire valve cap.
If a gauge and air pump are not available, have your
vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
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.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure may waste fuel, reduce
the comfort of driving, reduce tire life and make your
vehicle less safe to drive.
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the
following conditions may occur and cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injuries.
Low tire pressure (underinflation):
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts from an overheated tire
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
A greater possibility of tire damage from road
hazards
High tire pressure (overinflation):
Poor handling
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
A greater possibility of tire damage from road
hazards
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472
1 Tire size: For details, see “Tire size” on page
473.
2 DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN): For
details, see “DOT and Tire Identification Number
(TIN)” on page 473.
3 Location of tread wear indicators: For details,
see “Checking and replacing tires” on page 481.
4 Tire ply composition and materials : Plies
mean a layer of rubber −coated parallel cords.
Cords mean the strands forming the plies in the
tire.
5 Summer tire or all season tire: An all season
tire has “M+S” on the sidewall. The tire not
marked with “M+S” is a summer tire. For details,
see “Types of tires” on page 479.
6 Radial tires or bias ply tires: A radial tire has
“RADIAL” on the sidewall. A tire not marked with
“RADIAL” is a bias −ply tire.
7 “TUBELESS” or “TUBE TYPE”: A tubeless tire
does not have a tube inside the tire and air is
directly filled in the tire. Tube type tire has a tube
inside the tire and the tube maintains the air
pressure.
8 Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure: For details, see “Checking and
replacing tires” on page 481.
9 Maximum cold tire inflation pressure: This
means the pressure to which a tire may be
inflated. For recommended cold tire inflation
pressure, see “Tires and wheels” on pages 463
through 465.
10 Uniform tire quality grading: For details, see
“Uniform tire quality grading “ on page 475.
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475
Uniform tire quality grading
This information has been prepared in accordance
with regulations issued by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. Department
of Transportation. It provides the purchasers and/or
prospective purchasers of Lexus vehicles with
information on uniform tire quality grading.
Your Lexus dealer will help answer any questions
you may have as you read this information.
DOT quality grades All passenger vehicle tires
must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Quality grades can be
found where applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section width. For
example: Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature
A
Treadwear − The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half (1 − 1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate. Traction
AA, A, B, C − The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B and C, and they represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and
does not include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C − The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’ s resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation
pressuretire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or m\
ore, or it
has not been driven more than 1.5 km or 1 mile under that condition
Maximum inflation
pressurethe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated and \
it is shown
on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation
pressurecold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manufacturer
Accessory weight
the combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be rep\
laced) of
automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, pow\
er
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory−installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weight
the weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maxi\
mum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditionin\
g and
additional weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight
the sum of —
(a) curb weight;
(b) accessory weight;
(c) vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) production options weight
Page 497 of 539

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478
Tire related termMeaning
Rim size designationrim diameter and width
Rim type designationthe industry of manufacturer’s designation for a rim by style or code
Rim widthnominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle maximum load on
the tirethe load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to eac\
h axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two
Vehicle normal load on
the tirethe load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to eac\
h axle its
share of the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant weight
(distributed in accordance with Table 1 that follows) and dividing by two
Weather sidethe surface area of the rim not covered by the inflated tire
Table 1 – Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for various designated seating capacities
Designated seating capacity, Number of occupants
Vehicle normal load,
Number of occupantsOccupant distribution in a normally loaded vehicle
2 through 422 in front
5 through 1032 in front, 1 in second seat
Page 499 of 539

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480
ROTATING TIRES
63L020a
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate your tires according to
the maintenance schedule. (For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the
“Owner’s Manual Supplement / Scheduled
Maintenance”.) However, the most appropriate
timing for tire rotation may vary according to your
driving habits and road surface conditions.
The wheel assemblies must be rotated as illustrated
above.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect
tire inflation pressure, improper wheel alignment,
out−of−balance wheels, or severe braking. Before storing radial, snow or studded tires, mark the
direction of rotation and be sure to install them in the
same
direction when using them again. Tires should be
stored in a cool dry place.
Initial adjustment of th e tire pressure warning
system is necessary after you have rotated your
tires. See “Tire pressure warning system” on page
370.