2586-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 loca-
tion of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult your Lexus
dealer.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked
by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not
obvious.
■Low profile 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 ti res. 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, which-
ever 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 mentioned on the sidewall of the
tire. ( P.331)
■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 ti res 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 recom-
mended. 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,
however, do not have adequate traction
performance compared with snow tires in
heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires
fall short in accelerati on and handling per-
formance 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 instal led tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equip-
ment, make sure your snow tires also have
radial construction. Do not install studded
tires without first checking local regula-
tions for possible restrictions. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P.198)
■If the tread on snow tires wears down
below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is
lost.
2646-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
1Remove the tire valve cap.
2
Press the tip of the tire pressure
gauge onto the tire valve.
3
Read the pressure using the gauge
gradations.
4
If the tire inflation pressure is not at
the recommended level, adjust the
pressure.
If you add too much air, press the
center of the valve to deflate.
5
After completing the tire inflation
pressure measurem ent and adjust-
ment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
6
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure
every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pres-
sure
Driving with incorrect ti re inflation pressure
may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor han-
dling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drivetrain
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it
checked by your Lexus dealer.
■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 in flation pressure read- ing.
●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 ti
re inflation pressure
to be higher after driving as heat is gen-
erated in the tire. Do not reduce tire infla-
tion 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 resulting from
overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and
wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire dam-
age
●Greater possibility of tire damage
while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges on 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 mois-
ture may get into the valve and cause an
air leak, resulting in decreased tire infla-
tion pressure.
2656-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
When replacing wheels, care should
be taken to ensure that they are equiv-
alent to those removed in load capac-
ity, 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 straight-
ened
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped
with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters 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 pres-
sure warning valves an d transmitters must
be installed. ( P.261)
Use only Lexus wheel nuts and
wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
When rotating, repairing or chang-
ing your tires, check that the wheel
nuts are still tight after driving 1000
miles (1600 km).
Be careful not to damage the alumi-
num wheels when using tire chains.
Use only Lexus genuine balance
weights or equivalent and a plastic
or rubber hammer when balancing
your wheels.
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily
corroded, it should be replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate
from the wheel or cause a loss of
handling control.
Wheel selection
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 acci-
dent, causing death or serious injury.
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 qua lified 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 trans-
mitters may not work properly with
non-genuine wheels.
Aluminum wheel precautions
3188-1. Specifications
8-1.Specifications
*1:Unladen vehicle
*2: Vehicles with 265/35R19 tires
■Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number
(VIN) is the legal identifier for your
vehicle. This is the primary identifica-
tion number for your Lexus. It is used in
registering the ownership of your vehi-
cle.
This number is stamped on the top left
of the instrument panel and in the
engine compartment.RC350/RC300 AWD
RC300
Maintenance data (fuel, oil level, etc.)
Dimensions and weight
Overall length185.0 in. (4700 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)
Vehicle identification
3358-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
cornering (turning) traction.
■Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to
a level of perfor-
mance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Fede ral Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades of a tire
assume that it is properly inflated and not
overloaded.
Excessive speed, unde rinflation, or exces-
sive loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
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 under that condition
Maximum inflation pressureThe maximum cold inflated pressure to which a tire
may be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard
items which may be replaced) of automatic trans-
mission, power steering, power brakes, power win-
dows, 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 equip-
ment, including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil
and coolant, and if so equipped, air conditioning
and additional weight optional engine
3368-1. Specifications
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight
150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants
specified in the second column of Table 1
* that fol-
lows
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in
the third column of Table 1
* below
Production options weight
The combined weight of installed regular produc-
tion options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of
the standard items which they replace, not previ-
ously considered 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 assem-
bly upon which the tire beads are seated
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 designated seating capacity
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
The load on an individual ti re that is determined by
distributing 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 ti re that is determined by
distributing to each axle its share of curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal occupant weight
(distributed in accor dance with Table 1
* below), and
dividing by two
Weather sideThe surface area of the rim not covered by the
inflated tire
Tire related termMeaning
3388-1. Specifications
Intended outboard sidewall
(a) The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering, or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same molding on the other sidewall
of the tire, or
(b) The outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle
Light truck (LT) tire
A tire designated by its manufacturer as primarily
intended for use on lightwe ight trucks or multipur-
pose passenger vehicles
Load ratingThe maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a
given inflation pressure
Maximum load ratingThe load rating for a tire at the maximum permissi-
ble inflation pressure for that tire
Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sureThe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire
may be inflated
Measuring rimThe rim on which a tire is fitted for physical dimen-
sion requirements
Open spliceAny parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or
innerliner that extends to cord material
Outer diameterThe overall diameter of an inflated new tire
Overall width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the
sidewalls of an inflated tire, including elevations due
to labeling, decorations, or protective bands or ribs
Passenger car tire
A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipur-
pose passenger vehicles, and trucks, that have a
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lb.
or less.
PlyA layer of rubber-c oated 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
Tire related termMeaning
3518-3. Items to initialize
8
Vehicle specifications
8-3.Items to initialize
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:
List of items to initialize
ItemWhen to initializeReference
Message indicating
maintenance is
required (U.S.A. only)
After the maintenance is performedP.240
Engine oil mainte-
nance dataAfter changing the engine oilP.252
Tire pressure warning
system
• When rotating the tires
• When changing the tire inflation pres- sure by changing traveling speed or
load weight, etc.
P.262