2012 Lexus GS350 Owner's Manual

687 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
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.
Vehicles with a compact spare tire: Do not tow if your vehicle has a com-
pact spare tire installed.
Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit (if equipped): Do not
tow anything if a tire that has been repaired using the emergency tire
puncture repair kit is installed. The load on the tire may cause unexpected
damage to the tire.
When initializing the tire pressure warning system (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
Do not operate the tire pressure warning reset switch without first adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure
warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or
it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.

6886-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
CAUTION
Caution regarding interference with electronic devices (vehicles with the
tire pressure warning system featuring a tire inflation pressure display func-
tion)
Users of any electrical medical device other than implanted pacemakers
and implanted cardiac defibrillators should consult the manufacturer of
the device for information about its operation under the influence of radio
waves.
Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of such med-
ical devices.
People with implanted pacemakers or
cardiac defibrillators should not come
within 450mm (17.7 in.) of the tire
pressure warning system initiators. The
radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices.

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)

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.

691
6 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
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 inflation
pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation pres-
sure 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 infla-
tion pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is bal-
anced.
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 weeks. (P. 850)

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.

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

6946-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350/250_EE (OM30C36E)
When replacing wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide
advance warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever
wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must be
installed. (P. 674)
CAUTION
When replacing wheels
Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tube-
less tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or serious
injury.
NOTICE
Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles with the
tire pressure warning system)
Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional.
Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with
non-genuine wheels.