3816-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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 drive train
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 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 mois-
ture may get into the valve and cause an
air leak, resulting in decreased tire infla-
tion pressure.
3826-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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.377) 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 accident,
causing 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 acci-
dent.
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
4187-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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.378)
If the warning light does not turn off several
minutes after the initia lization has been per-
formed, have the vehicle inspected by your
Lexus dealer immediately.
■The 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).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with
a tire pressure warning 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.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warn-
ing system may not function properly
P.377
■Customization
Some functions can be customized.
( P.472)
WARNING
■If 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 br aking, and the ABS
system may fail, which could cause an
accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
■When the electric power steering
system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the
assist to the power st eering 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.
■If 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.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as
soon as possible. Adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes
on even after tire inflation pressure
adjustment, it is prob able 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.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak-
ing.
If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you
could lose control of the steering
wheel or the brakes.
4197-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
WARNING
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage
should occur
The tire pressure warning system may
not activate immediately.
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if pro-
vided), should be checked monthly when
cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufac-
turer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label (tire and load
information label). (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indi-
cated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label [tire and load
information label], you should determine
the proper tire infl ation pressure for
those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure
warning system) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warn-
ing light) when one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
(tire pressure warning light) illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping abil-
ity.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure
warning system) is not a substitute for
proper tire maintena nce, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct
tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumina-
tion of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale
(tire pressure warning light).
Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS (tire pressure warning system)
malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS (tire pressure warning system)
malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale (tire pres-
sure warning light) . When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended.
TPMS (tire pressure warning system)
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels
on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
(tire pressure warning system) from func-
tioning properly. Always check the
TPMS (tire pressure warning system)
malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS (tire
pressure warning system) to continue to
function properly.
NOTICE
■To ensure the tire pressure warning
system operates properly
Do not install tires with different specifi-
cations or makers, as the tire pressure
warning system may not operate prop-
erly.
4347-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7Confirm it is not loose after tighten-
ing:
1 Push and pull the tire
2 Try rotating
Visually check to ensure tire is not hung on
surrounding parts.
If looseness or misassembly exists, repeat
steps 2 to 7.
8 Repeat step 7, any time the tire is
lowered or disturbed.
9 Stow the jack and all tools.
■The compact spare tire
●The compact spare tire is identified by the
label “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” on
the tire sidewall. Use the compact spare
tire temporarily, and only in an emer-
gency.
●Make sure to check the tire inflation pres-
sure of the compact spare tire. ( P.458)
■When using the compact spare tire
As the compact spare tire is not equipped
with a tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter, low inflation pressure of the spare
tire will not be indicated by the tire pressure
warning system. Also, if you replace the
compact spare tire after the tire pressure
warning light comes on, the light remains
on.
■When the compact spare tire is
equipped
When driving with the compact spare tire
installed, the vehicle he ight will be different
than when driving with standard tires.
■If you have a flat front tire on a road cov-
ered with snow or ice
Install the compact spare tire on one of the
rear wheels of the ve hicle. Perform the fol-
lowing steps and fit tire chains to the front
tires:
1 Replace a rear tire with the compact
spare tire.
2 Replace the flat front tire with the tire
removed from the rear of the vehicle.
3 Fit tire chains to the front tires.
WARNING
■When using the compact spare tire
●Remember that the compact spare tire
provided is specific ally designed for
use with your vehicle. Do not use your
compact spare tire on another vehicle.
●Do not use more than one compact
spare tire simultaneously.
●Replace the compact spare tire with a
standard tire as soon as possible.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine
braking.
■When the compact spare tire is
attached
The vehicle speed may not be correctly
detected, and the following systems may
not operate correctly:
• ABS & Brake assist
•VSC
•TRAC
• Trailer Sway Control
•EPS
•VDIM
• Adaptive Variable Suspension System (if equipped)
• Dynamic radar cruise control with full-speed range
4588-1. Specifications
*: Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 110 lbf (490 N, 50 kgf) while
the hybrid system is operating.
Type A
Brake pad wear limit0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Fluid typeFMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 4 or SAE J1704
Steering
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)
Tires and wheels
Tire size235/65R18 106V, T165/9 0D18 107M (spare)
Tire inflation pressure
(Recommended cold tire
inflation pressure)
Front tire
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear tire
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Spare tire
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Driving at high speeds (above 100 mph [160 km/h]) (in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law)
Add 5 psi (30 kPa, 0.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar) to the front and rear
tires. Never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the tire sidewall.
Wheel size18 8J, 18 4T (spare)
Wheel nut torque76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
4598-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
Type B
Tire size235/55R20 102V, T165/90D18 107M (spare)
Tire inflation pressure
(Recommended cold tire
inflation pressure)
RX450h:
Front tire
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear tire
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Spare tire
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Driving at high speeds (above 100 mph [160 km/h]) (in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law)
Add 11 psi (70 kPa, 0.7 kgf/cm
2 or bar) to the front and rear
tires. Never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the tire sidewall.
RX450hL:
Front tire
35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Rear tire
35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Spare tire
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2 or bar)
Driving at high speeds (above 100 mph [160 km/h]) (in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law)
Add 9 psi (62 kPa, 0.6 kgf/cm
2 or bar) to the front and rear
tires. Never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the tire sidewall.
Wheel size20 8J, 18 4T (spare)
Wheel nut torque76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
4648-1. Specifications
A radial tire has “RADIAL” on the sidewall. A tire not marked “RADIAL” is a bias-ply tire.
TUBELESS or TUBE TYPE
A tubeless tire does not have a tube and air is directly put into the tire. A tube type tire has a
tube inside the tire and the tube maintains the air pressure.
Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure (P.375)
Maximum cold tire inflation pressure ( P.458)
This means the pressure to which a tire may be inflated.
Uniform tire quality grading
For details, see “Uniform Tire Quality Grading” that follows.
Summer tires or all season tires ( P.375)
An all season tire has “M+S” on the sidewall. A tire not marked “M+S” is a summer tire.
“TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
A compact spare tire is identified by the phrase “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” molded on its
sidewall. This tire is designed for temporary emergency use only.
Type A
DOT symbol
*
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire manufacturer’s identification
mark
Tire size code
Manufacturer’s optional tire type
code (3 or 4 letters)
Manufacturing week
Manufacturing year
*: The DOT symbol certifies that the tire conforms to applicable Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.
Type B
DOT symbol
*
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire manufacturer’s identification
mark
Manufacturer’s code
Manufacturing week
Manufacturing year
*: The DOT symbol certifies that the tire conforms to applicable Federal Motor
F
G
H
I
J
K
Typical DOT and Tire Identifica-
tion Number (TIN)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F