59
1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
nPeople suffering illness
Obtain medical advice and wear the seat belt in the proper way.
nChild seat belt usage
The seat belts of your vehicle are principally designed for persons of adult size.
lUse a child restraint system appropriate for the child, until the child become
large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt. ( →P. 1 0 0 )
lWhen the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt,
follow the instructions on P. 56 regarding seat belt usage.
nReplacing the belt after the pretensioner has been activated
If the vehicle is involved in multiple collisions, the pretensioner will activate for the
first collision, but will not activate for the second or subsequent collisions.
nSeat belt extender
If your seat belts cannot be fastened securely
because they are not long enough, a person-
alized seat belt extender is available from
your Lexus dealer free of charge.
191
2-4. Using other driving systems
2
When driving
CAUTION
nTRAC may not operate effectively when
Directional control and power may not be achievable while driving on slippery road
surfaces, even if the TRAC system is operating.
Do not drive the vehicle in conditions where stability and power may be lost.
nIf hill-start assist control does not operate effectively
(vehicles with an automatic transmission)
The hill-start assist control may not operate effectively on steep inclines and roads
covered in ice.
nWhen the VSC is activated
The slip indicator light flashes and a warning buzzer sounds. Always drive carefully.
Reckless driving may cause an accident. Exercise particular care when the indica-
tor light flashes and a buzzer sounds.
nWhen TRAC and VSC are off
Be especially careful and drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions. As
there are systems to ensure vehicle stability and driving force, do not turn off TRAC
and VSC unless necessary.
nReplacing tires
Make sure that all tires are of the same size, brand, tread pattern and total load
capacity. In addition, make sure that the tires are inflated to the recommended tire
pressure level.
The ABS and VSC systems will not function correctly if different tires are fitted on
the vehicle.
Contact your Lexus dealer for further information when replacing tires or wheels.
nHandling of tires and suspension
Using tires with any kind of problem or modifying the suspension will affect the driv-
ing assist systems, and may cause the system to malfunction.
202
2-5. Driving information
nSnow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
lInstall and remove tire chains in a safe location.
lInstall tire chains on the rear tires only. Do not install tire chains on front tires.
lInstall the tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after
driving 1 /4 - 1 /2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
lInstall tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
CAUTION
nDriving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or serious
injury.
lUse tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
lMaintain the recommended level of air pressure.
lDo not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
lUse snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
nDriving with snow chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
lDo not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used,
or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
lAvoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
lAvoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect vehicle
handling.
lSlow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle control is
maintained.
327
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer and tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. ( →P. 329)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
nThe tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
lWhen rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and rear tire
inflation pressures.
lWhen changing the tire inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed.
lWhen changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
331
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
nWhen to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
lYou have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
lA 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 your Lexus dealer.
nReplacing tires and wheels
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 20
minutes, the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute to indi-
cate a system malfunction.
nTire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if they
have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
nIf the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
nLow profile tires (models not equipped with 16-inch 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 18-inch tires.
nMaximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replaced tire is greater than 1 /2 of the Gross
Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is
greater.
As for the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR), see the Certification Label. ( →P. 3 3 6 , 4 4 9 ) .
332
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
nTire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires
is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use year round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original
equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install
studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restriction.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. ( →P. 2 0 0 )
nInitializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified level.
nWhen the initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
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 your Lexus dealer.
lWhen operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure warn-
ing light does not flash 3 times and the setting message does not appear on the
multi-information display.
lAfter carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning light
blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for about 20 minutes.
334
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
nTire pressure warning system operation
The tire pressure warning system may not provide warning immediately if a tire
bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.
nWhen 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 fatal or injury accidents.
lDo not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.
lDo not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
lDo not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
lDo not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
lDo not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
nWhen initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not press the satellite 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.
NOTICE
nRepairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
nTo avoid damaging the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.
340
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Wheels
nWhen replacing wheels
The wheels of your Lexus are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advanced warning in
the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters must be installed. ( →P. 3 2 7 )
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Oth-
erwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of handling con-
trol.
nWheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they
are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim
width, and offset.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
Lexus does not recommend using:
lWheels of different sizes or types
lUsed wheels
lBent wheels that have been straightened
nAluminum wheel precautions
lUse only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
lWhen rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
lBe careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
lUse only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.