
759 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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 power switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the power
switch is in ON mode, the tire position information will not be updated.
If this accidentally occurs, either turn the power switch to off and then to ON
mode, or initialize the system after checking that the tire pressure is properly
adjusted.

7606-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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. (P. 436)
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.
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.
When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off
could be extended.
When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has
burst, the warning may not function.

761 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
The initialization operation (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire
inflation pressure adjustment.
If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during initialization, it
is not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will restart
automatically when the power switch has been turned to ON mode for the
next time.
If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not neces-
sary, adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires
are cold, and conduct initialization again.
Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
The warning of the tire pressure warning system will change in accordance
with the conditions under which it was initialized. For this reason, the system
may give a warning even if the tire pressure does not reach a low enough
level, or if the pressure is higher than the pressure that was adjusted to when
the system was initialized.
When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed (vehicles
with the tire pressure warning system)
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following
cases, the settings have not been recorded and the system will not operate
properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings are
unsuccessful, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure
warning light does not blink 3 times.
After carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning
light blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.
Registering ID codes (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
The ID codes of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters for two sets
of wheels can be registered.
It is not necessary to register the ID codes when replacing normal tires with
snow tires, if the ID codes for the wheels of both normal tires and snow tires
are registered beforehand.
For information about changing ID codes, ask any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.

7706-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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. 756)

771 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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.

773 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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.

7746-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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
Steel wheels (except for vehicles with a steel spare wheel)
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

775
6 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30D53E_(EE)
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.
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. 756)
Aluminum wheel precautions
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.
Do not install steel wheels.
The wheel contact surface could be damaged, and the wheel could come
off while driving, which could lead to an accident resulting in death or
serious injury. (except for vehicles with a steel spare wheel)
Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to leak air during driving, possibly causing an
accident.