snow LEXUS RC F 2015 Owner's Guide

3174-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Tire chains cannot be mounted.
Snow tires should be used instead.
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on location and type
of road. Always check local regulations before installing chains.
■Tire chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains:
●Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
●Install tire chains on the rear tires. Do not install tire chains on the front tires.
●Install tire chains on rear tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains after driving 1 /4
 1 /2 mile (0.5  1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instru ctions provided with the tire chains.
Selecting tire chains (RC F)
Regulations on the use of tire chains
WA R N I N G
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of ve hicle control and cause death or serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of snow tires
being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely, and may
cause death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being used, or 30
mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
●Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
●Avoid sudden acceleration, ab rupt steering, sudden braking and shifting operations
that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a cu rve to ensure that vehicle control is main-
tained.
●Vehicles with LDA (Lane Departure Alert): Do not use the LDA system.

3184-6. Driving tips
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Lexus dealers or legitimate tire
retailers.
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the operation of the
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when tire
chains are fitted.

4947-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■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, and
bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be prop erly repaired due to the size or location of
a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered, the tire
pressure warning system will not work proper ly. After driving for about 20 minutes, the
tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunc-
tion.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has seldom
or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■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.
■When rotating the tires
Make sure that the engine switch is off. If the tires are rotated while the engine switch is in
IGNITION ON mode, the tire position information will not be updated.
If this accidentally occurs, either turn the engine switch to off and then to IGNITION ON
mode, or initialize the system after checking th at the tire pressure is properly adjusted.
■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 tires. 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.

4957-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■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, whichever is
greater.
■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 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.
●All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be adequate for
driving in most winter condit ions as well as for use year-round. All season tires, how-
ever, do not have adequate traction performance compared with snow tires in heavy
or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling perfor-
mance 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 installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make
sure your snow tires also have radial cons truction. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible re strictions. Snow tires should be installed
on all wheels. ( P. 3 1 5 )
■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost. For the GAWR, see the Certification Label. For
the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit
at maximum cold tire inflation pressure men-
tioned on the sidewall of the tire. ( P. 6 2 3 )

4967-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.
• If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equipment) tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• Lock nuts are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the wheels or wheel housings.
• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
• If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display, air-
port or other facility th at generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless
communication device
If tire position information is not correctl y displayed due to the radio wave conditions,
the display may be corrected by driving and changing the radio wave conditions.
●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off could be
extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has burst, the
warning may not function.
■The initialization operation
●Make sure to carry out initialization af ter adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carry ing out initialization or tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the engine swit ch off during initialization, it is not neces-
sary to press the reset switch again as init ialization will restart automatically when the
engine switch has been turned to IG NITION ON mode for the next time.
●If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary, adjust the
tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are co ld, and conduct initial-
ization again.
■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following cases, the set-
tings 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 warning reset switch, the tire pressure warning light
does not blink 3 times.
●After carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1
minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.

4987-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
WA R N I N G
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drivetrain as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
●Vehicles with a compact spare tire: Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare
tire installed.
●Vehicles with an emergency tire puncture repair kit: Do not tow anything if a tire that
has been repaired using the emergency tire puncture repair kit is installed. The load
on the tire may cause unexpected damage to the tire.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not operate the tire pressure warning 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 pressu re is low, or it may come on when the tire
inflation pressure is actually normal.
■Caution regarding interference with electronic devices
●Users of any electrical medical device other than implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibril-
lators should consult the ma nufacturer of the device for information about its opera-
tion under the influence of radio waves.
Radio waves could have unexpected effe cts on the operation of such medical
devices.
●People with implantable cardiac pacemakers,
cardiac resynchronization therapy-pacemak-
ers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators
should not come within 17.7 in. (450 mm) of
the tire pressure warning system initiators.
The radio waves may affect the operation of
such devices.

5458-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
(If equipped)
Indicates that a Blind Spot Monitor sensor or the sur-
rounding area on the rear bumper is dirty or covered
with snow, ice, etc. or that a sensor is misaligned
A buzzer also sounds.
 Clean off the dirt, snow, ice, etc. and drive the vehi-
cle with the operation conditions of the BSM func-
tion ( P. 303) satisfied for approximately 10
minutes. If the warning message does not disappear,
the sensor may be misaligned. Have the vehicle
inspected by your Lexus dealer.
Indicates a malfunction in:
• The cruise control system; or
• The dynamic radar cruise control system (if equipped)
Press the “ON/OFF” button once to deactivate the
system, and then press the button again to reactivate
the system.
A buzzer also sounds.
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the LDA (Lane Departure
Alert) system
A buzzer also sounds.
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
(If equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the PCS (Pre-Collision Sys-
tem)
A buzzer also sounds.
 Have the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer
immediately.
Wa r n i n g m e s s a g eDetails/Actions
(Flashes)

5718-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Firmly tighten each wheel nut two or
three times in the order shown in the
illustration.
Tightening torque:
76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
Stow the flat tire, tire jack and all tools.
■The spare tire
●RC350: The spare tire is identified by the label “TEMPORARY USE ONLY” on the
tire sidewall.
●Use the spare tire temporarily, and only in an emergency.
●Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure of the spare tire.
( P. 6 1 4 )
■When using the spare tire
As the spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, low
inflation pressure of the spare tire will not be indicated by the tire pressure warning sys-
tem. Also, if you replace the spare tire after the tire pressure warning light comes on, the
light remains on.
■When the spare tire is equipped
The vehicle becomes lower when driving with the spare tire compared to when driving
with standard tires.
■If you have a flat rear tire on a road covered with snow or ice (vehicles with front and
rear tires of the same size except for ve hicles with 235/40R19 tires and LDH system)
Install the spare tire on one of the front wheels of the vehicle. Perform the following steps
and fit tire chains to the rear tires: Replace a front tire with the spare tire.
Replace the flat rear tire with the tire removed from the front of the vehicle.
Fit tire chains to the rear tires.
4
5
1
2
3

6008-2. Steps to take in an emergency
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to P.
Remove the mud, snow or sand from around the rear wheels.
Place wood, stones or some other material under the rear wheels to help pro-
vide traction.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to D or R and release the parking brake. Then, while exer-
cising caution, depress the accelerator pedal.
■When it is difficult to free the vehicle
RC350
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt or snow:
Press to turn off TRAC.
1
2
3
4
5

6339-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
RC350/RCF_U (OM24636U)
Overall widthThe linear distance between the exteriors of the side-
walls of an inflated tire, including elevations due to label-
ing, decorations, or pr otective bands or ribs
Passenger car tire
A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose
passenger vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lb. or less.
PlyA layer of rubber-coated 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
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to
the beads are laid at substantially 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread
Reinforced tire A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher
inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire
Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the side-
walls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due to
labeling, decoration, or protective bands
SidewallThat portion of a tire between the tread and bead
Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the cord
material in the sidewall
Snow tire
A tire that attains a traction index equal to or greater
than 110, compared to the ASTM E-1136 Standard Ref-
erence Test Tire, when using the snow traction test as
described in ASTM F-1805-00, Standard Test Method
for Single Wheel Driving Tract ion in a Straight Line on
Snow-and Ice-Covered Surfaces, and which is marked
with an Alpine Symbol ( ) on at least one sidewall
Te s t r i mThe rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and may be
any rim listed as appropriate for use with that tire
Tire related termMeaning