2006 Lexus IS250 wheel

283
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents. Failure to do so may cause
damage to parts of the drive train, as well as dangerous handling characteristics,
which may lead to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread wear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels and sensors
●When removing the tires from the wheels, be careful not to damage the system’s
tire inflation warning sensors. Contact your Lexus dealer for details regarding the
removal and installation procedures.
●When replacing tires, make sure also to replace the tire inflation pressure sensor
grommets.
■Do not use puncture sealant sprays to repair flats
Puncture sealant sprays may damage tire inflation pressure sensors.

284
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire air pressure, reducing the cushioning abil-
ity of the tires. In addition driving on rough roads may cause damage to the tires
themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■Low profile tires and wheels
Wheels with profile tires like 17- and 18 -inch tires may cause greater damage than
usual to the tire wheel when receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay
attention to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they may
be damaged more severely.
●Avoid hot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.
Failure to do so can lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions may occur
and result in an accident causing death or serious injury.
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture co uld get into the valve and cause air leak-
age, which could result in an accident. If the caps have been lost, replace them as
soon as possible.

289
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Wheels
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Lexus are equipped with sensors that allow the tire pressure
warning system sensors to provide advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire
pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire inflation pressure sensors must
be switched over from the old wheels. ( P. 277)
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Oth-
erwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of handling con-
trol.
■ 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.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
Lexus does not recommend using:
• Wheels of different sizes or types
• Used wheels
• Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changi ng your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
● Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

290
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Doing so may result in an accident, causing serious injury or death.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire inflation pressure sensors
●Because tire repair or re placement may affect the tire pressure sensors, make
sure to have tires serviced by your Lexus dealer or other qualified service shop. In
addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure sensors at your Lexus dealer.
●Ensure that only Genuine Lexus wh eels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure sensors may not work properly with non-genuine wheels.

318
5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Lexus dealer before towing.
● The engine is running, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency towing
eyelet(s). This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for short
distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to s teer and operate the brakes. The vehi-
cle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in good condi-
tion.
Towing eyelets
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by your
Lexus dealer or a commercial towing se rvice, using a lift-type truck or a flat
bed truck.
Use a safety chain system for all towi ng, and abide by all state/provincial
and local laws.
If towing from the rear, the vehicle’s front wheels and axles must be in good
condition. ( P. 322)
If they are damaged, use a to wing dolly or flat bed truck.

5
When trouble arises
319
5-1. Essential information
■Emergency towing procedureRelease the parking brake.
Put the transmission in N.
Put the engine switch in the ACC mode (engine off) or the IG-ON mode
(engine running).
CAUTION
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive stress on
the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains.
●If the engine is not running, the power assi st for the brakes and steering will not
function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious damage to the transmission
(for vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Never tow this vehicle from the front with the rear wheels on the ground.
This may cause serious dama ge to the transmission.
■When towing a vehicle without using a towing dolly
(for vehicles with a manual transmission)
The engine switch must not be OFF.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

320
5-1. Essential information
Installing towing eyeletsRemove the eyelet cover using a
flat head screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut wrench.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
■Location of the emergency towing eyelet
P. 3 4 8