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2-5. Driving information
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
Tire 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 the
rear tires.
Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains
after driving 0.5 - 1.0 km (1/4 - 1/2 mile).
Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire
chains.
CAUTION
Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
Use tires of the size specified.
Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
Do not drive at speeds in excess of the speed limit or the speed limit spec-
ified for the snow tires being used.
Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure 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 50 km/h (30 mph), 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 con-
trol is maintained.
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4Maintenance and care
465
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior ........ 466
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior ......... 471
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements .................. 474
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions..................... 477
Hood ................................ 481
Positioning a floor jack .... 483
Engine compartment ........ 485
12-volt battery.................. 496
Tires ................................. 503
Tire inflation pressure ...... 507
Wheels ............................. 509
Air conditioning filter ....... 511
Electronic key battery ...... 515
Checking and replacing
fuses ............................... 520
Light bulbs ....................... 534
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4-2. Maintenance
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air
conditioning system after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monox-
ide leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system
checked immediately.)
Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire
wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
CAUTION
If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible serious injury or death.
Handling of the 12-volt battery
12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your hands after
handling. (P. 496)
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503
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and
treadwear.
Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Wo r n t r e a d
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and pressure if not rotated.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that tire rotation
is carried out approximately
every 10000 km (6000
il )
Front
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504
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
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, and 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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if
it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
Low profile tires (vehicles with 17 inch tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance
will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
CAUTION
When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as dan-
gerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
NOTICE
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the
cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause
damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
Low profile tires (vehicles with 17 inch tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel
when sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to
the following:
Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Failure
to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CT200h_EE (OM76041E)
Tire inflation pressure
.
Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
Reduced fuel efficiency
Reduced driving comfort and tire life
Reduced safety
Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven
for more than 1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire infla-
tion pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation
pressure that is even just a few pounds off can affect ride quality and
handling.
Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire
inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is
balanced.
Make sure to maintain proper tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation
pressure should be checked at least once per month. However, Lexus
recommends that tire inflation pressure be checked once every two