wheel Lexus GX470 2003 How To Use This Manual / LEXUS 2003 GX470 (OM60979U) Repair Manual

MAINTENANCE
396Your copy of the repair order is proof that all required
maintenance
has been performed for warranty coverage. And
if any problems should arise with your vehicle while under
warranty, your Lexus dealer will promptly take care of it. Again,
be sure to keep a copy of the repair order for any service
performed on your Lexus.
What about doityourself maintenance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy to do yourself, if you
have a little mechanical ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to perform them are
presented in Section 6.
If you are a skilled do −it− yourself mechanic, the Lexus service
manuals are recommended. Please be aware that
do−it−yourself maintenance can affect your warranty
coverage. See your “Owner’s Guide”, “Owner’s Manual
Supplement” or “Warranty Booklet” for the details.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified. It is recommended that
any problem you notice be brought to the attention of your
Lexus dealer or qualified service shop for their advice.
CAUTION
Make these checks only where adequate ventilation can
be obtained if you run the engine.
Vehicle exterior
Items listed below should be performed from time to time,
unless otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every two weeks, or at least
once a month and adjust as shown on the tire pressure label.
See page 432 for additional information.
Tire surface
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage or excessive wear.
See page 434 for additional information.
Wheel nuts
When checking the tires, make sure to check the nuts for
looseness. Tighten them if necessary.

MAINTENANCE
397
Tire rotation
Rotate the
tires according to the maintenance schedule. (For
scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the
“Owner’s Manual Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.)
See page 434 for additional information.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, water or other fluid after
the vehicle has been parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found and corrected
immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all side doors and back door, operate smoothly and
all latches lock securely. Make sure the engine hood
secondary latch secures the hood when the primary latch is
released.
Vehicle interior
Items listed below should be checked regularly, e.g. while
performing periodic services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail lights, turn signal
lights, and other lights are working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators and warning buzzers
function properly. Steering wheel
Check that it has the
specified free play. Be alert for changes
in steering condition, such as hard steering, excessive free
play or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as seat adjusters,
seatback recliner, etc. operate smoothly. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that the locks hold
securely in any latched position. For folding −up second and
third seats, and detachable third seat, check that the latches
lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as buckles, retractors
and anchors operate properly and smoothly. Make sure the
belt webbing is not cut, frayed, worn or damaged.
Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and uneven pedal ef fort
or catching.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and the proper
clearance and free play. Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do not pull to one side
when applied.

SECTION 6 – 3
426
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications427
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Checking brake fluid 430
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.
Checking power steering fluid 431
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Checking tire pressure 432
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Rotating tires 434
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Checking and replacing tires 434
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Installing snow tires and chains 437
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Replacing wheels 439
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. . .
Aluminum wheel precautions 440
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Suspension and chassis 441
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CHASSIS
429
CHASSIS LUBRICATION
Propeller shafts Spiders and slide yoke
Lithium base wheel bearing grease, NLGI No.2
STEERING
Free play
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluidAutomatic transmission fluid DEXRONII or III
TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire size
P265/65R17 110S
Tire inflation pressure Recommended cold tire inflation pressure220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 32 psi)
Wheel size17 x 7 1/2 JJ
Wheel nut torque112 N·m (11.5 kgf·m, 83 ft·lbf)
NOTE:
For complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wheel\
s), see “Checking tire pressure” through “Aluminum wh eel
precautions” on pages 432 through 440.

CHASSIS
433
CAUTION
Keep your tire pressure properly. Otherwise, the
following conditions may occur and cause an accident
resulting in death or serious injuries.
Low tire pressure (underinflation) —
 Excessive wear
 Uneven wear
 Poor handling
 Possibility of blowouts from overheated tire
 Poor sealing of the tire bead
 Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
High tire pressure (overinflation) —
 Poor handling
 Excessive wear at the center of the tire tread
 A greater possibility of tire damage from road
hazards
The following instructions for checking tire pressure should be
observed:
The pressure should be checked only when the tires are
cold. If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours
and has not been driven for more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since,
you will get an accurate cold tire pressure reading.
 Always use a tire pressure gauge. The appearance of the
tire can be misleading. Besides, tire pressures that are even
just a few pounds off can degrade ride and handling. 
Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is
normal for the tire pressure to be higher after driving.
 Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The
passengers and luggage weight should be located so that
the vehicle is balanced.
 Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps. Without the valve
caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve core and cause
air leakage. If the caps have been lost, have new ones put
on as soon as possible.

CHASSIS
434
ROTATING TIRES
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate your tires according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the “Owner’s Manual
Supplement / Scheduled Maintenance”.) However, the
most appropriate timing for tire rotation may vary
according to your driving habits and road surface
conditions.
The wheel assemblies must be rotated as illustrated above.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and damage.
Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect tire pressure,
improper wheel alignment, out−of− balance wheels, or severe
braking.
Before storing radial, snow or studded tires, mark the direction
of rotation and be sure to install them in the same direction
when using them again. Tires should be stored in a cool dry
place.
CHECKING AND REPLACING TIRES
When to replace your tires
 1 New tread 2 Tread wear indicator

3 Worn tread
Replace the tires when the tread wear indicators show.
The location of the tread wear indicators is shown by the
marks molded on the sidewall of each tire.
The tires on your Lexus have built− in tread wear indicators to
help you know when the tires need replacement. When the
tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less, the indicators
will appear. If you can see the indicators in two or more
adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears
down below 4 mm (0.16 in.).

CHASSIS
436Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not include
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 conditions 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. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal 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 for this tire are established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately
or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.
Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use a tire of the same size and
construction, and the same or greater load capacity as the
originally installed tires. Also, all the tires must be the
same brand and have the same tread patterns.
Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect
handling, ride, speedometer/odometer calibration, ground
clearance, and clearance between the body and tires or snow
chains.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
 Do not mix radial, bias belted, or biasply tires on
your vehicle, as this may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires of different brands, sizes,
construction or tread patterns, as this may cause
dangerous handling characteristics result ing in loss
of control.

CHASSIS
437
INSTALLING SNOW TIRES ANDCHAINS
When to use snow tires or chains
Snow tires or chains are recommended when driving on
snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional or radial tires provide better
traction than snow or studded tires.
Snow tire selection
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size,
construction and load capacity as the originally installed
tires. Also, all the tires must be the same brand and have
the same tread patterns.
Do not use tires other than stated above. Since your vehicle
has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires
without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
Do not use snow tires other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use snow tires of different brands, sizes,
construction or tread patterns, as this may cause
dangerous handling characteristics resulting in loss
of control.
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the rear wheels only can lead to an
excessive difference in road grip capability between the front
and rear tires which could cause loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION
 Do not drive with the snow tires incorrectly inflated.
 Never drive over 105 km/h (65 mph) with any type of
snow tires.

CHASSIS
439
Chain installation
Install the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible.
Do not use tire chains on the front tires. Retighten chains
after driving 0.5 1.0 km (1/4 1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, carefully follow the
instructions of the chain manufacturer.
CAUTION
Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain
manufacturer’s recommended speed limit,
whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully avoiding bumps, holes, and sharp
turns, which may cause the vehicle to bounce.
 Avoid sharp turns or lockedwheel braking, as use of
chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.
 When driving with chains installed, be sure to drive
carefully. Slow down before entering the curves to
avoid losing control of the vehicle. Otherwise an
accident may occur.
NOTICE
When jacking up or installing tire chains, be sure to turn
off the rear height control air suspension with the
“HEIGHT CONTROL OFF” switch and stop the engine.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may change because of
the automatic leveling function resulting in accident.
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or
heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the tire may slip off the
wheel or cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they
may have been subjected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent wheels which have
been straightened may have hidden structural damage and
therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a
leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure
that they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity,
diameter, rim width, and offset.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus
dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect
handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or snow
chain clearance to the body and chassis.

CHASSIS
440
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
Do not use wheels other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use wheels of different brands, sizes and
types, as this may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of control.
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
When installing aluminum wheels, check that the wheel nuts
are tight after driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000
miles).
 If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires, check
that the wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000
miles).
 When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the
aluminum wheels.
 Use only the Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed for
your aluminum wheels.
 When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus balance
weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber hammer.
 As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum
wheels for damage. If damaged, replace immediately.