2014 Lexus GS250 flat tire

469 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
●When rotating the tires.
●When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing
traveling speed.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
■How to initialize the tire pressure warning system Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the engine switch off.
Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. ( →P. 645)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation pres-
sure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on this pressure
level.
Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.
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Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(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 loca-
tion 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 wi th the tire pressure warning system)
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered, the
tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about 10 min-
utes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a sys-
tem malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom 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 pressure
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 featuring 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.
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4726-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(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. 3 5 6 )
■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 Equipment) 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 reception.
*
• 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 electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wire- less 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 cor-
rected by driving and changing the radio wave conditions.
●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.
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473 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
GS350_250_OM_OM30E16E_(EE)
■The initialization operation (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
●Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire inflation
pressure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the engine switch off during initialization, it is not
necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will restart automatically
when the engine switch has been turned to IGNITION ON mode for the next time.
●If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary, adjust
the tire inflation pressure to the specifie d 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 warn-
ing 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.
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4806-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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 dangerous
handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in death or seri-
ous 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 compact
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.
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Maintenance and care
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CAUTION
■Caution regarding interference with electronic devices (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system featuring a tire inflation pressure display function)
●Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac pacemak-
ers, cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter
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 medical
devices.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters
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 trans-
mitters 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 speci-
fied. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles
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 autho-
rized 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. 4 6 8 )
●People with implantable cardiac pacemak-
ers, cardiac resynchronization therapy-
pacemakers or implantable cardioverter
defibrillators should not come within
450mm (17.7 in.) of the tire pressure warn-
ing system initiators. The radio waves may
affect the operation of such devices.
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4826-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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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 cushion-
ing 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 sus-
taining 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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483
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
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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 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 pres-
sure 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 i nflation pressure. Tire inflation pres-
sure should be checked at least once per month. However, Lexus rec-
ommends that tire inflation pressure be checked once every two
weeks. ( →P. 645)
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