469 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
●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 registered, 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 malfunc-
tion.
■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 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 ti re 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 th at the tire pressure is properly adjusted.
■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 appro-
priate for road and weather conditions. (→P. 383)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tire s as snow tires is lost.
4706-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly (vehi-
cles 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.
• 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 wheelhousings.
• 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.*• If wheel without the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter are used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
*: GS350/GS200t 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, air-
port or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical 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 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.
■The initialization operation (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
●Make sure to carry out initialization afte r adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carry ing out initialization or tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the engine swit ch off during initialization, it is not neces-
sary to manually restart the initialization ag ain, as initialization will restart automatically
the next time the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode.
●If you accidentally perform initialization when initialization is not necessary, adjust the
tire inflation pressure to the specified leve l when the tires are cold, and conduct initial-
ization again.
■Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system (if equipped)
The warning of the tire pressu re warning system will change in accordance with the con-
ditions 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.
477 6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■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 han-
dling 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 spare tire (GS350/GS200t with compact spare tire, and GS F):
Do not tow if your vehicle has a spare tire installed.
●Vehicles with emergency tire puncture repair kit: Do not tow anything if a tire that has
been repaired using the emergency tire punc ture 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 initialize tire inflation pressure withou t first adjusting the tire inflation pressure to
the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pre ssure warning light may not come on even if
the tire inflation pressure is low, or it ma y come on when the tire inflation pressure is
actually normal.
■Caution regarding interference with electron ic devices (vehicles with the tire pres-
sure warning system featuring a tire inflation pressure display function)
●Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibril-
lators should consult the manufacturer of the device for information about its opera-
tion under the influence of radio waves.
Radio waves could have unexpected effects on the operation of such medical
devices.
●People with implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemak-
ers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators
should not come within 450 mm (17.7 in.) of
the tire pressure warning system initiators.
The radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices.
481
6
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(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 “offset”.
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 GS200t with steel spare wheel)
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with your alumi-
num 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 transmit-
ters 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. 4 6 7 )
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Other-
wise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions
4826-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
WA R N I N G
■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 tubeless 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 GS200t with 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.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles with the tire pres-
sure warning system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional or other qualified ser-
vice shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters at any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
●Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with non-genu-
ine wheels.
5157-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
*1: Open door warning buzzer:→ P. 5 1 8
*2: Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt buzzer:
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt buzzer sounds to alert the driver and front
passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The buzzer sounds intermittently for
30 seconds after the vehicle reaches a speed of 20 km/h (12 mph). Then, if the seat
belt is still unfastened , the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 90 more seconds.
■Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning buzzer
●If luggage is placed on the front passenge r seat, the front passenger detection sensor
may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to sound even if a passen-
ger is not sitting in the seat.
●If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger, and the warn-
ing light may not operate properly.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
The malfunction indicator lamp will come on if the fuel tank becomes completely empty.
If the fuel tank is empty, refuel the vehicle immediately. The malfunction indicator lamp
will go off after several trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as soon as possible.
(If equipped)
Tire pressure warning light When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( →P. 5 1 6 )
• Flat tire ( →P. 551, 567)
→ Adjust the tire inflation pressure (including the full-size spare
tire) to the specified level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the light does
not turn off even if the tire inflation pressure is adjusted, have the
system checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When the light comes on af ter blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system
→ Have the system checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
5167-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS350_200t_GS F_OM_OM30E87E_(EE)
■Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage temporarily drops, the
electric power steering system warning light may come on and the warning buzzer may
sound.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Carry out the following procedure after the tire temperature has lowered sufficiently.
●Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
●If the warning light does not go out even after several minutes, check that the tire infla-
tion pressure is at the specifie d level and carry out initialization.
The warning light may come on again if the above operations are conducted without first
allowing the tire temperature to lower sufficiently.
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjusting
the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
Vehicles with a compact spare tire: The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light
will not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Vehicles with full-size spare tire: The spare tire is also equipped with a tire pressure warn-
ing valve and transmitter. The tire pressure warn ing light will turn on if the tire inflation
pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire go es flat, the tire pressure warning light will not
turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function properly
→ P. 4 7 0
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute when the
engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode, have it checked by any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an audio sound.