Page 528 of 648

If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).Hillstartassistmaynotpreventyour
vehicle f rom rolling downhill on a
very steep or slippery slope.
This f eature starts operating a f ew
seconds af ter you are in any drive
gear position (when f aced uphill) or
in reverse (when f aced downhill).
This f eature requires that the
vehicle has come to a complete stop
bef ore it can work.
Your vehicle is equipped with a hill
start assist f eature to help prevent
the vehicle f rom rolling on steep
inclines as you move your f oot f rom
the brake pedal to the accelerator.
575
On models with SH-AWD
VSA and Tire Sizes Hill Start Assist
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
525
\f—\f—y
\fy
) \f\fy\f\fy
2009 TL
Page 577 of 648

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
The ABS and VSA system work by
comparing the speed of each wheel.
When replacing tires, use the same
size originally supplied with the
vehicle. Tire size and construction
can af f ect wheel speed and may
cause the system to activate. Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, the
tire pressure monitoring system will
not work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
574
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
\f—\f—y
y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL
Page 578 of 648

´
Î
Î
Î
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations.
Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires. Do not use chains on the
rear tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend
using this Quality Chain Corp. tire
chain:
See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size inf ormation.
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
If your vehicle is equipped with
summer tires, be aware that these
tires are not designed f or winter
driving conditions. For more
inf ormation, consult your dealer.
Wheels:
Tires:
If equipped
: 617
619
On 2WD Models
On U.S. SH-AWD Models
On Canadian SH-AWD ModelsOn 2WD ModelsOn U.S. SH-AWD Models
On Canadian SH-AWD Models
Snow T ires
Tire Chains
Winter Driving
Summer T ires
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Tires
Maint enance
575
17x8.0J
18x8.0J
19x8.0J
18x8.0J
P245/50R17 98V
P245/45R18 96V
245/40ZR19 94Y
P245/45R18 96V (TPMS)
(TPMS)
(TPMS)
(TPMS)
\f—\f—y
y
) \f\fy\f\fy
2009 TL
Page 579 of 648

Ì
ÎÎ
Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stif f
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a sof t brush or sponge.
This tire chain is available at many
auto supply stores. To f ind a local
storethatcarriesthechain,call
Quality Chain Corp at 1-800-843-8824.
To order the tire chain online, go to
, and enter
your vehicle inf ormation. When you
install the chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with the chains installed. If you ever hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop
and investigate. If the chains have
loosened, retighten them. Make sure
they do not contact the brake lines
or suspension.
Removethechainsassoonasyou
begin driving on cleared roads.
Rubber chain adjusters, or
tensioners, must be used to
prevent the chains f rom
contacting the body or the
chassis.
:
www.qualitychaincorp.comWheels
Premium Cobra Cable Chain
1042P with accessory
adjusters
Tires
576
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains. Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
\f—\f—y
y
) \f\fy\f
y
2009 TL
Page 585 of 648

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
After the flat tire is replaced with
the spare tire, the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator stays on.
Af ter several miles (kilometers)
driving with the spare, this
indicator begins to f lash, then
stays on again. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK TPMS SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ).
529
Compact Spare Tire
582
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
\f—\f—y
y
) \f\fy\fy
2009 TL