tire Lexus ES330 2004 Supplement / LEXUS 2004 ES330 (OM33633U) Owner's Guide

MAINTENANCE
348
DOES YOUR VEHICLE NEED
REPAIRING?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and
visual tip-offs that indicate service is needed. Some important
clues are:

Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging

Appreciable loss of power

Strange engine noises

A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from
the air conditioning after use is normal.)

Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous
carbon monoxide leak. Drive with the windows open and
have the exhaust system checked immediately.)

Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering,
uneven tire wear

Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level
road

Strange noises related to suspension movement

Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal,
pedal almost touches floors, vehicle pulls to one side when
braking

Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normalIf you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to your Lexus
dealer as soon as possible. It probably needs adjustment or
repair.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving with the vehicle unchecked. It
could result in serious vehicle damage and possibly
personal injury.

SECTION 6 ± 3
380
SERVICE PROCEDURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Chassis
Specifications381 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking brake fluid385 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking power steering fluid387 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking tire inflation pressure389 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire information392 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotating tires401 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking and replacing tires402 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing snow tires and chains404 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing wheels406 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheel precautions407 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis408 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHASSIS
384
Ð TIRES AND WHEELS
Tire size
P215/60R16 94V
Tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation
pressure
Front 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2 or bar, 29 psi)
Rear 200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm2 or bar, 29 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (99 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 40
kPa (0.4 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 6 psi) to the front tires and rear
tires, but never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation
pressure molded on the tire sidewall.
Wheel size16
6 1/2 JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf)
NOTE:
For a complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wheels), see Checking tire inflation pressureº
through Aluminum wheel precautionsº on pages 389 through 407.

CHASSIS
389
CHECKING TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURE
63E035
The recommended cold tire inflation pressures,
tire sizes and the combined weight of occupants
and cargo (vehicle capacity weight) are described
on page 384 and 441. They are also described
on the tire and loading information label as
shown.
You should check the tire inflation pressure every two
weeks, or at least once a month. And do not forget
the spare!
The following instructions for checking tire
inflation 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 inflation pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge. The
appearance of a tire can be misleading. Besides,
tire inflation pressures that are even just a few
pounds off can degrade handling and ride.
Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure
after driving. It is normal for the tire inflation
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.

CHASSIS
390
Inspection and adjustment procedure

1Tire valve
2Tire pressure gauge
1. Remove the tire valve cap.
2. Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge to the tire
valve.
3. Read the pressure using a graduation of the gauge.
4. In case that the tire inflation pressure is not within
the prescribed range, insert the compressed air from
the valve. In case of applying too much air, press
the center of the valve and release the air to adjust.
5. After completing the tire inflation pressure
measurement and adjustment, apply soap water to
the valve and check the leakage.
6. Install the tire valve cap.If the gauge and the air pump are not available, have
your vehicle checked by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
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.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure may waste fuel, reduce
the comfort of driving, reduce tire life and make your
vehicle less safe to drive.
If a tire frequently needs refilling, have it checked by
your Lexus dealer.

CHASSIS
391
CAUTION
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the
following conditions may occur and cause an
accident resulting in death or serious injuries.
Low tire pressure (underinflation) Ð
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts from overheated tire
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
A greater possibility of tire damage from road
hazards
High tire pressure (overinflation) Ð
Poor handling
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
A greater possibility of tire damage from road
hazards

CHASSIS
392
TIRE INFORMATION
Tire symbols
63E031

The illustration indicates typical tire symbols.

CHASSIS
393
1Summer tire or all season tire: An all season
tire has M+Sº on the sidewall. The tire not
marked with M+Sº is a summer tire. For details,
see Types of tiresº on page 400.
2Tire size: For details, see Tire sizeº on page
394.
3DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN): For
details, see DOT and Tire Identification Number
(TIN)º on page 394.
4Uniform tire quality grading: For details, see
Uniform tire quality gradingº that follows.
5Location of the tread wear indicators: For
details, see Checking and replacing tiresº on
page 402.
6Tire ply composition and materials: Plies mean
a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords. Cords
mean the strands forming the plies in the tire.
7Radial tires or bias-ply tires: A radial tire has
RADIALº on the sidewall. The tire not marked
with RADIALº is a bias-ply tire.
8TUBELESSº or TUBE TYPEº: A tubeless tire
does not have a tube inside the tire. A tube type
tire has a tube inside the tire and the tube
maintains the air pressure.
9Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation
pressure: For details, see Checking and
replacing tiresº on page 402.
10Maximum cold tire inflation pressure: This
means the pressure to which a tire may be
inflated. For details about recommended cold tire
inflation pressure, see Specificationsº on page
384.

CHASSIS
394
DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN)

The illustration indicates typical DOT and Tire
Identification Number (TIN).
1DOTº symbol
2Tire Identification Number (TIN)
3Tire manufacturer's identification mark
4Tire size code
5Manufacturer's optional tire type code
6Manufacturing week
7Manufacturing year
The DOTº symbol certifies that the tire conforms to
applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Tire size

The illustration indicates typical tire size.
1Tire use (P=Passenger car, T=Temporary
use)
2Section width (in millimeters)
3Aspect ratio (tire height to section width)
4Tire construction code
(R=Radial, D=Diagonal)
5Wheel diameter (in inch)
6Load index (2 digits or 3 digits)
7Speed symbol (alphabet with one letter)

CHASSIS
395

1Section width
2Tire height
3Wheel diameter
Name of each section of tire

1Bead
2Sidewall
3Shoulder
4Tread
5Belt
6Inner liner
7Reinforcing rubber
8Carcass
9Rim lines
10Bead wires
11Chafer