5217-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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.
■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 road s, 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 perfor mance 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 ti res 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. 331)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tire s as snow tires is lost.
For the GAWR, see the Ce
rtification 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. 661)
5337-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
■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 accurate 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 inflat ion 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.
WARNING
■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 resu lting 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 adjust ing 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.
5347-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 your Lexus dealer.
*: 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
●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 1000 miles (1600 km).
●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
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. 518)
Wheels
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
6409-1. Specifications
RC350/RC300/RC200t
*1:Unladen vehicle
*2: Vehicles with 265/35R19 tires
RC F
*:Unladen vehicle
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
Overall length184.8 in. (4695 mm)
Overall width72.4 in. (1840 mm)
Overall height*154.9 in. (1395 mm)
Wheelbase107.5 in. (2730 mm)
Tread*1
Front62.2 in. (1580 mm)
Rear63.0 in. (1600 mm)
61.8 in. (1570 mm)
*2
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)700 lb. (320 kg)
Overall length185.2 in. (4705 mm)
Overall width72.6 in. (1845 mm)
Overall height*54.7 in. (1390 mm)
Wheelbase107.5 in. (2730 mm)
Tread*Front61.2 in. (1555 mm)
Rear61.4 in. (1560 mm)
Vehicle capacity weight
(Occupants + luggage)700 lb. (320 kg)
6689-1. Specifications
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for
three hours or more, or has not been driven more than 1
mile or 1.5 km un der that condition
Maximum inflation pres-
sureThe maximum cold inflated pr essure to which a tire may
be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation
pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manu-
facturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in exce ss of those standard items
which may be replaced) of automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio and heater, to the extent that these items are
available as factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not)
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment,
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant,
and if so equipped, air co nditioning and additional
weight optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight150 lb. (68 kg) times the numb er of occupants specified
in the second column of Table 1* that follows
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the
third column of Table 1
* below
Production options weight
The combined weight of in stalled regular production
options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the
standard items which they re place, not previously con-
sidered in curb weight or accessory weight, including
heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim
RimA metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated
6699-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter)Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designationRim diameter and width
Rim type designationThe industry manufacturer’s designation for a rim by
style or code
Rim widthNominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity weight
(Total load capacity)The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb. (68 kg)
times the vehicle’s desi gnated seating capacity
Vehicle maximum load on
the tireThe load on an individual tire that is determined by dis-
tributing to each axle its share of the maximum loaded
vehicle weight, and dividing by two
Vehicle normal load on the
tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined by dis-
tributing to each axle its sh are of curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight (distributed in
accordance with Table 1
* below), and dividing by two
Weather sideThe surface area of the rim not covered by the inflated
tire
BeadThe part of the tire that is made of steel wires, wrapped
or reinforced by ply cords an d that is shaped to fit the
rim
Bead separationA breakdown of the bond between components in the
bead
Bias ply tireA pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to
the beads are laid at alternate angles substantially less
than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread
CarcassThe tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber
which, when inflated, bears the load
ChunkingThe breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall
CordThe strands forming th e plies in the tire
Cord separationThe parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds
CrackingAny parting within the tread, sidewall, or innerliner of
the tire extending to cord material
Tire related termMeaning
6719-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
Overall widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the side-
walls of an inflated tire, including elev ations due to label-
ing, decorations, or protective bands or ribs
Passenger car tire
A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose
passenger vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lb. or less.
PlyA layer of rubber-coat ed parallel cords
Ply separationA parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric
and steel or other materials, that, when mounted on an
automotive wheel, provides the traction and contains
the gas or fluid that sustains the load
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to
the beads are laid at substa ntially 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread
Reinforced tire A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher
inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire
Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the side-
walls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due to
labeling, decoration, or protective bands
SidewallThat portion of a tire between the tread and bead
Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the cord
material in the sidewall
Snow tire
A tire that attains a traction index equal to or greater
than 110, compared to the ASTM E-1136 Standard Ref-
erence Test Tire, when using the snow traction test as
described in ASTM F-1805-00, Standard Test Method
for Single Wheel Driving Traction in a Straight Line on
Snow-and Ice-Covered Surfaces, and which is marked
with an Alpine Symbol ( ) on at least one sidewall
Test rimThe rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and may be
any rim listed as appropriate for use with that tire
Tire related termMeaning
6849-3. Items to initialize
*:If equipped
Items to initialize
The following items must be initialized for normal system operation after such
cases as the battery being reconnected, or maintenance being performed on
the vehicle:
ItemWhen to initializeReference
Message indicating mainte-
nance is required (U.S.A. only)After the maintenance is per-
formedP. 489
Engine oil maintenance data*After changing the engine oilP. 507
Tire pressure warning system
• When rotating the tires
• When changing the tire inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed or load weight, etc.
P. 519