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2-5. Driving information
Trailer towing tipsYour vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and
improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
● Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle-trailer con-
nections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
● Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in an
area away from traffic until you be come accustomed to the feel of the
vehicle.
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
●Use only the position recommended by your Lexus dealer. Do not install the
trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
●Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing,
wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
■Brakes
Lexus recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.
■Safety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer
tongue to prevent the tongue from droppi ng to the ground in the case that it
becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation proce-
dure, ask your Lexus dealer.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may dama ge your vehicle’s electrical system and
cause a malfunction.
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Maintenance and care4
259
4-1. Maintenance and care ......... 260Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior........................ 260
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior......................... 262 4-2. Maintenance........................... 265
Maintenance requirements............................ 265
General maintena nce .............. 267
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ................................... 270
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance.......................... 271
Do-it-yourself service precautions ................................. 271
Hood .............................................. 275
Engine compartment ............... 276
Tires ................................................. 292
Tire inflation pressure .............. 302
Wheels .......................................... 306
Air conditioning filter ............. 308
Wireless remote control battery ........................................ 309
Checking and replacing fuses ................................................ 311
Light bulbs.................................... 320
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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Operate smoothly?
Engine hood• The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks• Is there any leakage after parking?
Ti r e
• Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-aged?
• Tires rotated according to the
maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■If the engine is running
Turn off the engine and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing
maintenance checks.
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292
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and
tread wear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Tread wear indicator
Worn tread
The location of tread wear indi-
cators is shown by the “TWI” or
“” marks, etc., molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
inflation pressure if not rotated.
■ Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
Lexus recommends tire rotation
in accordance with the mainte-
nance schedule to equalize tire
wear and extend tire life.
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system after
tire rotation.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. ( P. 340)
Front
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293
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmittersWhen replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed. Tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters can be installed in any of the following three ways:
● Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters can be removed from the
old wheels and installed on the new wheels.
● When replacing only the tire, the ti re pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter already installed on the wheel does not need to be replaced.
● Replacing both a wheel and its tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter.
When new tire pressure warning va lves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning ECU and tire pressure warning system
must be initialized. ( P. 2 9 4 , 2 9 5 )
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Initializing the tire pressure warning system■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
●When rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and rear tire
inflation pressures.
● When changing the ti re inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed or load weight, etc.
● When changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in safe place and turn the ignition key to the
“LOCK” position.
While the vehicle is moving, initialization is not performed.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. ( P. 3 76 )
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on
this pressure level.
Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position.
Push and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light blinks
slowly three times.
Wait for a few minutes with the “ON” position, and then turn the
ignition key to the “LOCK” position.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Registering and selecting ID codes■ Registering ID codes
2 sets of tire pressure warning va lve and transmitter ID codes can be
registered. Once a second set of ti res (winter tires etc.) is registered at
“2nd”, you can switch between tire set settings simply by pressing the
tire pressure warning select switch.
There are 2 settings:
“MAIN” position: The ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter on the tires originally installed on the vehicle is registered.
“2nd” position: The code is not registered. When you replace a new set
of tires, purchase tire pressure warning valves and transmitters from
your Lexus dealer and have the new ID code registered by your Lexus
dealer.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Selecting ID codes
When replacing tires, make sure to select the ID code set that matches
the new tire set. If the incorrect ID code is selected, the tire pressure
warning system will not operate properly.
“MAIN”
“2nd”
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code is not registered, the system will not work properly. After about 1 hour,
the tire pressure warning light blinks to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if they
have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.