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GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 ti
res 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. 305)
■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. 532)
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)
3996-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■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 th e radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehi cle, particularly around the wheels or wheel
housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extr emely higher than the specified level.
• 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.
●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 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
●Make sure to carry out initialization afte r adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carryi ng 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 in itialization again, 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.
■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following cases, the set-
tings 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.
●The initialization message is not displayed on the multi-information display when per-
forming initialization.
●After carrying out the initializat ion procedure, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1
minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.
402
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■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: 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 puncture repair kit is in stalled. The load on
the tire may cause unexpected damage to the tire.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not initialize tire inflatio n pressure without first adjustin g 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 electronic devices
●Users of any electrical medical device ot her than implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization th erapy-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 implantabl e cardiac pacemakers,cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemak-
ers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators
should not come within 17.7 in. (450 mm) of
the tire pressure warn ing system initiators.
The radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices.
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)
4036-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
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 pressu re 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 possi ble. Make sure to replace the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P. 395)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause lo sses 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 (except 225/50R17 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustain-
ing impact from the road surface. Ther efore, pay attention to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressu re. 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 ea ch tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
406
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, ob
serve 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 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.
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.
407
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Wheels
When replacing wheels, care should be ta
ken 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
●Steel wheels (2WD F SPORT models only)
●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. 395)
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
408
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■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.
●2WD F SPORT models: 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.
■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
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your Lexus dealer or other qualified
service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters at your Lexus dealer.
●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.
4317-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS350_GS F_OM_OM30J07U_(U)
7
When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
■While towing
●When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive
stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains
may become damaged, broken debris may hit people, and cause serious damage.
●Do not turn the engine switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wheel is locked and cannot be operated.
■Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyel ets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing ey elets may come loose during towing.
2WD models:
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground, the
drivetrain and related parts may be damaged
or an accident may occur due to a change in
direction of the vehicle.
AWD models:
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground, the
drivetrain or related parts may be damaged,
the vehicle may fly off the truck.