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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
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 tr ansmitters 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
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every 2 weeks, or at least once a month.
If equipped, do not forget to check the spare.
■ Inspection and adjustment procedure
Ti r e  v a l v e
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the graduations of the gauge.
If the tire inflation pressure is not within the recommended lev-
els, adjust tire pressure. 
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to lower.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and 
adjustment, apply soapy water to  the valve and check for leak-
age.
Reinstall the tire valve cap.
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STEP4
STEP5
STEP6 

5
When trouble arises
493
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire 
pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire pressure warning light.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire pressure warning select switch is set to a different tire setting.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the wheels or 
wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used. (E ven if you use Lexus wheels, the tire 
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as natural air 
leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caus ed by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped wi th the tire pressure warning valve and 
transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pr essure warning light will not turn off even 
though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire. Replace the spare tire with the 
repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning 
light will turn off after a few minutes. 

494
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause loss of 
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Vehicles with standard tires:
• Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately. 
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure  adjustment, it is probable that you have a  flat tire. Check the tires. If the tire is 
flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest 
Lexus dealer.       
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking.  If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you 
could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
●Vehicles with run-flat tires:
• Decelerate to the lowest appropriate speed as soon as possible. Do not drive  over 55 mph (90 km/h).
• Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure  adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Have the tire replaced by 
the nearest Lexus dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking.  If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you 
could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately. 

5
When trouble arises
495
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold 
and inflated to the inflation pressure re commended by the vehicle manufacturer on 
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label (tire and load information label). 
(If your vehicle has tires of  a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle 
placard or tire inflation pressure label [tire and load information label], you should 
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle  has been equipped with a tire pressure 
monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that illuminates a low tire 
pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) when one or more of your tires is sig-
nificantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pres-
sure warning light) illuminates, you should  stop and check your tires as soon as 
possible, and inflate them to the proper  pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat an d can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation 
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling 
and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure  warning system) is not a substitute for 
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire 
pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of 
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been equipped with  a TPMS (tire pressure warning system) 
malfunction indicator to indicate when th e system is not operating properly. The 
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malf unction indicator is combined with the 
low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light). When the system detects a 
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain 
continuously illuminated. This sequence  will continue upon subsequent vehicle 
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists . When the malfunction indicator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect  or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunctions may occur for a variety of rea-
sons, including the installation of replacem ent or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) from functioning 
properly. Always check the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction tell-
tale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the 
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire pressure warning 
system) to continue to function properly. 

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
If you have a flat tire (Vehicles with standard tires)
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to “P”.
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Wheel nut wrench Jack
Jack handle
Spare tireTi g h t e n
Loosen
Tools
Towing eyelet 

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When trouble arises
513
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
■The compact spare tire
●The compact spare tire is identified by the label “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” 
on the tire sidewall.
Use the compact spare tire temporarily only in an emergency.
●Make sure to check the tire inflatio n pressure of the compact spare tire.  
(  P.  5 5 0 )
■Tr e a d  l i f e
The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary. It has tread life of up 
to 3000 miles (4800 km) depending on road  conditions and your driving habits. 
When treadwear indicato rs appear on the tire, replace the tire. ( P.  4 2 1 )
■When using the compact spare tire
As the spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter, low inflation pressure of the spare tire  will not be warned. Also, if you replace the 
compact spare tire after the tire pressure  warning light comes on, the light remains 
on.
■ Compact spare tire
The compact tire saves space in your luggage compartment, and its 
lighter weight helps to enhance fuel economy and permits easier 
installation in case of a flat tire.
The compact spare tire is 
designed for temporary emer-
gency use only. 

514
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS_G_U
May 13, 2008 5:14 pm
Taking out the spare tireLift up the hook of the panel on the 
trunk floor.
Secure the panel using the hook 
provided. Then take out the tool 
tray.
Loosen the center fastener that 
secures the spare tire.
If the center fastener cannot be 
turned by hand, use the wrench 
that is stored in the trunk. (To 
secure the tire, tighten the center 
fastener by hand. Do not use the 
wrench or other tools.)
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