2009 Lexus ES350 Tires

176
2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■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 front tires only. Do not install tire chains on rear tires.
●Install the tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 1 /4 - 1 /2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
●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 recommended level of air 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
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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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2-5. Driving information
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
■Before towing
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated. (→P. 3 3 4 )
●Trailer tires should be inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendation.
●All trailer lights work to be legal.
●Confirm all lights work each time you connect them.
●Check that your vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
●Make sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded.
●Check that your rear view mirrors conform to any federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for towing
purposes.
■Break-in schedule
Lexus recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new
power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) to
tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to
the additional load. (See “Warranty and Services Guide/Owner's Manual Sup-
plement/ Scheduled Maintenance”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
CAUTION
■To avoid accident or injury
●The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus the weight of cargo) must not exceed
1000 lb. (450 kg).
●Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle
weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
●Never load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About 60% of
the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining 40% in the
r e a r.

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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
CAUTION
■Hitches
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by the hitch
manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a
higher weight, the operator must never exceed the maximum weight rating speci-
fied for the trailer hitch.
●If you wish to install a trailer hitch, your Lexus dealer should be consulted.
●Use only a hitch that conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
●Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
●Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
●Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing
the hitch, seal any mounting holes in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any sub-
stances into the vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
●Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
●Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the
trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is
danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
●Do not use cruise control/dynamic radar cruise control.
Doing so may result in inappropriate control of speed and could cause serious or
fatal accident.
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 any applicable federal and
state/provincial regulations.

Maintenance and care4
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ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior............. 292
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior .............. 295
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ....................... 298
General maintenance ......... 300
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs............................... 303 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ........................... 304
Hood .......................................... 308
Positioning a floor jack ......... 309
Engine compartment ............. 311
Tires............................................ 326
Tire inflation pressure........... 334
Wheels ...................................... 338
Air conditioning filter ........... 340
Electronic key battery.......... 342
Checking and replacing fuses ........................................ 344
Headlight aim ......................... 352
Light bulbs................................ 354

302
4-2. Maintenance
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Steering wheel
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
ItemsCheck points
Door/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 the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing
maintenance checks.

326
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules 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 side-
wall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
pressure if not rotated.
■ Tire rotation
If equipped with full-size spare tire
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.
Front

327
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U_(L/O_0808)
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. 329)
If equipped with compact spare tire
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 valve and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. ( →P. 3 7 7 )
Vehicles with compact spare tire: The compact spare tire is not
equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters.
Front