2011 LEXUS RX350 spare tire

542
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
nWhen the power steering warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, hold firmly and
operate it using more force than usual.
nIf 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.
lStop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure immediately.
lIf the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change
it with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus dealer.
lAvoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could
lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
nIf a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

5

When trouble arises
543
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
nMaintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended 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 and 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 the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS (tire pressure warning system) malfunction 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 replacement 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.

564
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
nBefore jacking up the vehicle
lStop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
lSet the parking brake.
lShift the shift lever to P.
lStop the engine.
lTurn on the emergency flashers.

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When trouble arises
565
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
nLocation of the spare tire, jack and tools
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Towing eyelet
Tool bag
Jack handle
Wr e n c h
JackSpare tire
Towing eyelet
To o l b a g
Jack handleWre n c h
JackSpare tire

566
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Taking out the jack
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Pull the lever upward to fold back
the front part of the deck board.
Pull the folded deck board upright.
Pull on the attached hook to
extend the string.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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When trouble arises
567
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Use the hook to secure the deck
board as shown in the illustration.
Remove the jack after removing
the hook.
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
Pull the lever upward to fold back
the front part of the deck board.
Pull on the attached hook to
extend the string.
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2

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When trouble arises
569
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Taking out the spare tire
Lift up the deck board. (See “Taking out the jack” for details.)
Remove the spare tire cover. (→P. 9 8 )
Loosen the center fastener that secures the spare tire.
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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When trouble arises
571
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Raise the vehicle until the tire is
slightly raised off the ground.
Remove all the wheel nuts and the
tire.
When resting the tire on the
ground, place the tire so that the
wheel design faces up to avoid
scratching the wheel surface.
Installing the spare tire
Remove any dirt or foreign matter
from the wheel contact surface.
If foreign matter is on the wheel
contact surface, the wheel nuts
may loosen while the vehicle is in
motion, causing the tire to come
off.
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1