Page 665 of 914

6476-1. Maintenance and care
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
NOTICE
To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and components
(aluminum wheels etc.)
Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are present on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a
place with low humidity when storing the wheels.
Cleaning the exterior lights
Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
Do not apply wax to the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
When using an automatic car wash (with rain-sensing windshield wipers)
Set the wipers to the intermittent windshield wipers. (P. 245)
If AUTO mode is selected, the wipers may operate and the wiper blades
may be damaged.
Page 692 of 914

6746-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that
uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire
inflation pressure before serious problems arise.
Vehicles without the tire inflation pressure display function
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light. (P. 753)
Vehicles with the tire inflation pressure display function
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver
is warned by a screen display and a warning light. (P. 772)
The tire pressure detected by the tire pressure warning system
can be displayed on the multi-information display. (P. 106)
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire pressure warning system must be
initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID
codes registered by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional. (P. 676)
Tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
Page 695 of 914

677 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
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.
Replacing tires and wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not regis-
tered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving
for about 10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and
stays on to indicate a system malfunction.
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.
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pres-
sure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine
of daily vehicle checks.
When rotating the tires (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system featur-
ing a tire inflation pressure display function)
Make sure that the engine switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the
engine switch is in IGNITION ON mode, the tire position information will
not be updated.
If this accidentally occurs, either turn the engine switch to off and then to
IGNITION ON mode, or initialize the system after checking that the tire
pressure is properly adjusted.
Page 696 of 914

6786-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Low profile tires (except 225/50R17 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.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on the 19-inch tires. Snow tires should be
used instead.
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
(vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate
properly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equip-
ment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• Lock nuts are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the
wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
• If the spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal recep-
tion.
*
• If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is put
in the trunk.
*
*
: Vehicles with a full-size spare tire only
Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large
display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or elec-
trical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other
wireless communication device
Vehicles with the tire inflation pressure display function: If tire position
information is not correctly displayed due to the radio wave conditions, the
display may be corrected by driving and changing the radio wave condi-
tions.
Page 707 of 914

689
6 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
NOTICE
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmit-
ters and tire valve caps (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional as the tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire
pressure warning valves could be bound.
When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck.
To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehi-
cles with the tire pressure warning system)
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact
any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional or other qualified service shop as soon as possible.
Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when
replacing the tire. (P. 674)
Page 708 of 914
6906-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
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 (except 225/50R17 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.
Page 710 of 914
6926-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions may
occur and result in an accident causing death or serious injury:
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause
air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps are lost, replace
them as soon as possible.
Page 711 of 914

693
6 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
Wheels
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are
equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width
and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
*: Conventionally referred to as “off-
set”.
Lexus does not recommend using the following:
Wheels of different sizes or types
Used wheels
Bent wheels that have been straightened
Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause
a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions