flat tire LEXUS LX470 2007 User Guide

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ItemsPa r t s a n d t o o l s
Suspension fluid (P. 2 8 7 )
• Suspension fluid AHC
•Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding sus-
pension fluid AHC)
Tire inflation pressure ( P. 3 0 2 )• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Wa s h e r f l u i d ( P. 2 9 1 )
•Water
• Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding
washer fluid)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance schedules and
tread wear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Tread wear indicator
Worn tread
The location of tread wear indi-
cators is shown by the “TWI” or
“” marks, etc., molded on the
sidewall of each tire.
Check spare tire condition and
inflation pressure if not rotated.
■ Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
Lexus recommends tire rotation
in accordance with the mainte-
nance schedule to equalize tire
wear and extend tire life.
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system after
tire rotation.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. ( P. 340)
Front

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Initializing the tire pressure warning system■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
●When rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and rear tire
inflation pressures.
● When changing the ti re inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed or load weight, etc.
● When changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system
Park the vehicle in safe place and turn the ignition key to the
“LOCK” position.
While the vehicle is moving, initialization is not performed.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. ( P. 3 76 )
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on
this pressure level.
Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position.
Push and hold the tire pressure
warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light blinks
slowly three times.
Wait for a few minutes with the “ON” position, and then turn the
ignition key to the “LOCK” position.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Selecting ID codes
When replacing tires, make sure to select the ID code set that matches
the new tire set. If the incorrect ID code is selected, the tire pressure
warning system will not operate properly.
“MAIN”
“2nd”
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code is not registered, the system will not work properly. After about 1 hour,
the tire pressure warning light blinks to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if they
have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.

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Maintenance and care
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replaced 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.
As for the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR), see the Certification Label. (
P. 302, 381).
■Tire types
1 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 perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires 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 recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2 All season tires All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions , as well as for use year round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, al l season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or ic y roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. 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 loca l regulations for possible restriction.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 1 5 6 )
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflatio n pressure adjusted to the specified level.

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■If you push the tire pressure reset switch accidentally
If initialization is performed, adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level
and initialize the system again.
■When the initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following cases,
the settings 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.
●When operating the tire pressure warn ing reset switch, the warning light does
not flash.
●After driving for a certain period of time since the initialization has been com-
pleted, the warning light flashes.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pressure
checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily
vehicle checks.

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CAUTION
■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 handling characteristics,
which may lead to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread wear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not push the reset switch without first adjusting the tire inflation pressure to the
specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure warning light may not come on even if
the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is
actually normal.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●When replacing tires, make sure also to replace the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter grommets.
■Do not use puncture sealant sprays to repair flats
Puncture sealant sprays may damage tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.

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Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushion-
ing 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.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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Tire inflation pressure
■Tire inflation pressure
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure and tire size is dis-
played on the tire and loading information label. ( P. 3 76 )

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Maintenance and care
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■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.
■Inspection and adjustment procedure
Ti r e v a l v e
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the graduations of the gauge.
If the tire inflation pressure is not within the recommended lev-
els, adjust tire pressure.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to lower.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and
adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check for leak-
age.
Reinstall the tire valve cap.
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