3396-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Tire pressure gauge
1 Remove 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 measurement and adjust-
ment, apply soapy water to the
valve and check for leakage.
6 Put the tire valve cap back on.
QTire 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.
QEffects of incorrect tire inflation pres-
sure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure
may result in the following:
OReduced fuel economy
OReduced driving comfort and poor han-
dling
OReduced tire life due to wear
OReduced safety
ODamage to the drivetrain
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it
checked by your Lexus dealer.
QInstructions for checking tire inflation
pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure,
observe the following:
OCheck 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 read-
ing.
OAlways use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly
inflated based only on its appearance.
OIt is normal for the tire inflation pressure
to be higher after driving as heat is gener-
ated in the tire. Do not reduce tire infla-
tion pressure after driving.
ONever exceed the vehicle capacity
weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should
be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
B
WARNING
QProper 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:
OExcessive wear
OUneven wear
OPoor handling
OPossibility of blowouts resulting from
overheated tires
OAir leaking from between tire and
wheel
OWheel deformation and/or tire dam-
age
OGreater possibility of tire damage
while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the
road, etc.)
3727-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the tire pressure warning light blinks for
approximately 1 minute then stays on
There may be a malfunction in the tire pres-
sure warning system. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer immedi-
ately.
If the tire pressure warning light comes
on
1 After the temperature of the tires has
lowered sufficiently, check the inflation
pressure of each tire and adjust them to
the specified level.
2 If the warning light does not turn off
even after several minutes have
elapsed, check that the inflation pres-
sure of each tire is at the specified level
and perform initialization. ( P.334)
QThe tire pressure warning light may
come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come
on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes
caused by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light (after a few minutes).
QWhen a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with
a tire pressure warnin g valve and transmit-
ter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warn-
ing light will not turn off even though the flat
tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire
and adjust the tire inflation pressure. The
tire pressure warning light will go off after a
few minutes.
QConditions that the tire pressure warn-
ing system may not function properly
P.333
WARNING
QIf both the ABS and the brake system
warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immedi-
ately and contact your Lexus dealer.
The vehicle will become extremely
unstable during braking, and the ABS
system may fail, which could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
QWhen the electric power steering
system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the
assist to the power steering is restricted.
When the light comes on red, the assist
to the power steering is lost and handling
operations of the steering wheel become
extremely heavy.
When steering wheel operations are
heavier than usual, grip the steering
wheel firmly and operate it using more
force than usual.
QIf the tire pressure warning light
comes on
Be sure to observe the following precau-
tions.
Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or
serious injury.
OStop your vehicle in a safe place as
soon as possible. Check and adjust the
tire inflation pressure immediately.
OIf the tire pressure warning light comes
on even after tire inflation pressure
adjustment, it is probable that you have
a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat,
change it with the spare tire and have
the flat tire repaired by the nearest
Lexus dealer.
OAvoid abrupt maneuvering and brak-
ing.
If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you
could lose control of the steering
wheel or the brakes.