442
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check the tires
for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the tread.
Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.
New tread
Wo r n t r e a d
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a “TWI” or “ ∆” mark, etc., molded
into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Rotate the tires in the order shown.
To equalize tire wear and extend tire life,
Lexus recommends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same interval as tire
inspection.
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure
warning system after tire rotation.
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and tread-
wear.
Checking tires
Tire rotation
1
2
3
Front
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
4437-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire inflation pressure before
serious problems arise.
●If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is warned by
a screen display and a warning light. ( →P. 4 8 4 )
●The tire pressure detected by the
tire pressure warning system can be
displayed on the multi-information
display. ( →P. 8 0 )
The illustration used is intended as an
example, and may differ from the image
that is actually displayed on the multi-
information display.
◆Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed, new ID
codes must be registered in the tire pressure warning computer and the tire
pressure warning system must be initiali zed. Have tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. ( →P. 444)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following circum-
stances:
●When rotating the tires.
●When the tire inflation pressure is ch anged such as when changing travel-
ing speed or load weight.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire inflation
pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
4457-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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 your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing 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 blinks for 1 minu te 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
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.
■Low profile tires (P225/45R18 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.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement 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.
For the GAWR, see the Certification Label. For
the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit
at maximum cold tire inflation pressure men-
tioned on the sidewall of the tire.
( → P. 5 2 8 )
446
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Tire types
●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 performance 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.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be adequate for
driving in most winter conditions as well as for use year-round. All season tires, how-
ever, 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 perfor-
mance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow 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 capacity as the
originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make
sure your snow tires also have radial cons truction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires should be installed
on all wheels. ( →P. 2 6 3 )
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
●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 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, air-
port or other facility that generates st rong radio waves or electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communication device
If tire position information is not correctl y 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.
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
4477-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■The initialization operation
●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 pres-
sure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the engine switch off during initialization, it is not neces-
sary to press the reset switch again as init ialization 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 specified leve l when the tires are cold, and conduct initial-
ization again.
■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minute s. However, in the following cases, the set-
tings have not been recorded and the syst em will not operate properly. If repeated
attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings are unsuccessful, have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
●When operating the tire pressure warning re set 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.
■Tire pressure warning system certification
MODEL/FCC IDs:
Transmitter: PAXPMVC010
Initiator: FCC ID: HYQ22AAA
XFor vehicles sold in the U.S.A., Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, NATO
Germany and Puerto Rico
NOTE:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
FCC WARNING:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
XFor vehicles sold in Canada
●Transmitter
NOTE
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation of the device.
448
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
●Initiator
NOTE
This device complies with Industry Canada’s licence-exempt RSSs. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference; and
(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
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 a
ccident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Make sure to install four tires that are of the specified size, and that all four tires are of
the same size, same brand, and same tread pattern.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply tires).
●If only two tires are replaced, the new tires should be placed on the rear of the vehicle.
●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.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire installed.
■When initializing 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 pressu re is low, or it may come on when the tire
inflation pressure is actually normal.
■Caution regarding interference with electronic devices
●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 17.7 in. (450 mm) of
the tire pressure warning system initiators.
The radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices.
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)
4497-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and
tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact your Lexus dealer 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 specified.
The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact your Lexus dealer or
other qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liquid sealant, make sure
to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing
the tire. (→ P. 443)
■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 (P225/45R18 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustain-
ing 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.
452
ES350_OM_OM33C68U_(U)7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurat
e cold tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as heat is generated
in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
WA R N I N G
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur which could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards, expansion
joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or moisture may get into the valve and cause an air
leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressure.