STARTING AND DRIVING
436Vehicles with standard tires:
Stop your vehicle at a safe place as soon as possible and
check that the tire inflation pressure
is as specified on the tire
and loading information label. If the low tire pressure warning
light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it
is probable that you have a flat tire. If the tire goes flat, change
to the spare tire. (See page 469.)
The spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure sensor.
So, the low tire pressure warning light remains on even if the
spare tire is mounted.
The light goes off a few minutes after air is put into the deflated
tire.
CAUTION
If the low tire pressure warning light comes on, observe
the following instructions:
Decelerate as soon as possible to the most
appropriate speed that conditions permit.
Avoid abrupt steering wheel maneuvering and
braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes,
causing death or serious injury.
The warning system may not activate immediately if
bursts or sudden air leakage should occur.
When the tyre pressure warning system warning light is
lit, one or more of your tyres is significantly
under inflated. You should stop and check your tyres
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure as indicated on the vehicle’s tyre information
placard. Driving on a significantly under inflated tire
causes the tyre to overheat and can lead to tyre failure.
Under inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tyre
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Each tyre, including the spare, should
be checked monthly when cold and set to the
recommended inflation pressure as specified in the
vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
DRIVING TIPS
454
TRAILER TOWING
G32002
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. It is not designed for trailer towing.
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy 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 inflation 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.
Always keep the automatic transmission selector lever
in the “D” position when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the overdrive off will reduce the fuel economy.
(For details, see “Automatic transmission” on page 353.)
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 over revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
471
Compact spare tire
G40025
The compact spare tire is designed for temporary
emergency use only.
The compact spare tire is identified by the distinctive
wording “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” molded into the
side wall of the tire.
To keep the compact spare tire noticeable, do not hide
the wheel by a wheel cover or such.
The compact spare tire saves space in your luggage
compartment, and its lighter weight helps to improve fuel
economy and permits easier installation in case of a flat
tire. The compact spare tire is not equipped with the tire
pressure sensor
. If tire inflation pressure becomes low,
the tire pressure warning system will not be activated.
Also, if you replace the compact spare tire after the low
tire pressure warning light comes on, the light remains
on.
The compact spare tire can be used many times, if
necessary. It has tread life of up to 4800 km (3000 miles)
depending on road conditions and your driving habits.
When tread wear indicators appear on the tire, replace
the tire. (See “Checking and replacing tires” on page
554.)
MAINTENANCE
495
Accelerator pedal
Check
the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
In a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe
incline, your vehicle is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ”Park” mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ”P” 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, 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 539 for
additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive
wear. See page 554 for additional information.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires according to the maintenance schedule.
(For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to
the “Owner’s Manual Supplement / Scheduled
Maintenance”.) See page 554 for additional information.
ENGINE
520
FUEL PUMP SHUT OFF SYSTEM
The fuel pump shut off system stops supplying fuel to the
engine to minimize the risk of fuel leakage when the engine
stalls or an airbag inflates upon collision. To restart the engine
after the fuel pump shut off system activates, turn the engine
switch off once and start it.
CAUTION
Inspect the ground under the vehicle before restarting
the engine. If you find that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, it is the fuel system that has been damaged and
it is in need of repair. In this case, do not restart the
engine.
FACTS ABOUT ENGINE OILCONSUMPTION
Functions of engine oil
Engine oil has the primary function of lubricating and cooling
the inside of the engine, and plays a major role in maintaining
the engine in proper working order.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal that an engine should consume some engine
oil during normal engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston rings and cylinders.
A thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall when a piston
moves downwards in the cylinder. High negative pressure
generated when the vehicle is decelerating sucks some of
this oil into the combustion chamber. This oil as well as
some part of the oil film left on the cylinder wall is burned by
the high temperature combustion gases during the
combustion process.
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems of the intake valves.
Some of this oil is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is burned along with the fuel.
High temperature exhaust gases also burn the oil used to
lubricate the exhaust valve stems.
CHASSIS
541
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 bl owouts 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
CHASSIS
549
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
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
566
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
1 STR LOCK25Steering lock system
2 SECURITY7.5Smart access system with
push−button start
3 TI &TE20Power tilt and telescopic
steering wheel, Multiplex
communication system
4 AM17.5Starting system
5 STOP SW7.5
Stop/tail lights, Multi− port fuel
injection system/sequential
multiport fuel injection system,
Starting system, Electronic
control brake system, Vehicle
stability control system, Shift
lock system
6 OBD7.5On− board diagnosis system
7 FR P/SEAT
RH30Power seat system
8 AIR SUS20Electronic modulated
suspension
9 PWR
OUTLET15Power outlet
10 CIG15Cigarette lighter
11 ACC7.5
Multiplex communication
system, Smart access system
with push− button start, Rear
view monitor system, Audio
system, Air conditioning system
No.FUSEAMPERECIRCUIT
12 IGN10
Multi− port fuel injection
system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, SRS airbag
system, Stop/tail lights,
Steering lock system, Electronic
control brake system
13 GAUGE7.5Gauges and meters
14 ECU IG
RH10
Power tilt and telescopic
steering wheel, Multiplex
communication system, Smart
access system with
push −button start, Audio
system, Air conditioning
system, Shift lock system, Tire
pressure warning system,
Combination switch
15 FR S/HTR
RH15Seat heater, Heated and
ventilated seats
16 RH IG7.5
Seat heater switches, Front
right door control system, Rear
right door control system,
Capacitor, Combination switch,
Seat belt pretensioners,
Intuitive parking assist
17 AM215Starting system