2008 Lexus GS350 tires

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
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Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving the
vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropriate to the
prevailing weather conditions.
■Pre-winter preparations
● Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific gravity of
battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of
tire chains for the rear tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions.
● Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is fro-
zen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe
away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Remove any ice that has accumulated on the vehicle chassis.
● Periodically check for and remove any excess ice or snow that
may have accumulated in the wheel well or on the brakes.
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2-5. Driving information
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Regulations on the use of snow chains● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to location
and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing
chains.
● Use SAE Class “S” type radial tire chains, with the exception of radial
cable chains or V-bar type chains.
• Install the chains on the rear tires.
• Refer to the explanation that comes with the tire chains for installa-
tion instructions.
● Retighten the chains after driving 1 /4 - 1 /2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly and drive at a reduced speed suitable
to road conditions.
■ When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and move the shift lever to “P” without setting the
parking brake. The parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from
being released.
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2-5. Driving information
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■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the rear tires only. Do not install tire chains on front tires.
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injury.
●Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
●Maintain the specified level of tire inflation pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used,
or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect vehicle
handling.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
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2-5. Driving information
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When driving
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NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs of and obtain replacement snow tires from Lexus dealers or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of
the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when
tire chains are fitted.
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Maintenance and care4
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4-1. Maintenance and care .............................. 388
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............ 388
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ............... 391 4-2. Maintenance .................. 394
Maintenance requirements........................ 394
General maintenance .......... 396
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ............................... 399
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance ................ 400
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 400
Hood .......................................... 403
Positioning a floor jack ......... 404
Engine compartment ........... 406
Tires............................................. 421
Tire inflation pressure............ 431
Wheels ...................................... 435
Air conditioning filter ........... 437
Electronic key battery.......... 440
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 442
Headlight aim .......................... 467
Light bulbs................................ 470
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4-2. Maintenance
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Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors/trunk• 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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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedule and
treadwear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear 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.
To equalize tire wear and extend
tire life, Lexus recommends that
tire rotation is carried out at the
same interval as tire inspection.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. ( →P. 490, 498)
Front
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer and tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. ( →P. 4 2 4 )
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 tire inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed or load weight, etc.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
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