load capacity Lexus ES330 2005 Interior Equipment / LEXUS 2005 ES330 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM33691U)

DRIVING TIPS
292
VEHICLE LOAD LIMITS
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating
capacity, towing capacity and cargo capacity. Follow
the load limits shown below.
Total load capacity: 410 kg (900 lb.)
Total load capacity means combined weight of
occupants, cargo and luggage. Tongue load is
included when trailer towing.
Seating capacity: Total 5 (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the maximum number of
occupants whose estimated average weight is 68 kg
(150 lb.) per person. Depending on the weight of
person, the seating capacity given may exceed the
total load capacity.
NOTICE
Even if the number of occupants are within the
seating capacity, do not exceed the total load
capacity.
Towing capacity: 907 kg (2000 lb.)
Towing capacity means the maximum gross trailer
weight (trailer weight plus its cargo weight) that your
vehicle is able to tow.
Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending
on the size (weight) and the number of occupants.
For details, see “Capacity and distribution” that
follows.
CAUTION
Do not apply the load more than each load limit.
That may cause not only damage to the tires,
but also deterioration to the steering ability and
braking ability, which may cause an accident.

DRIVING TIPS
293
CARGO AND LUGGAGE
Stowage precautions
When stowing cargo and luggage in the vehicle,
observe the following:
Put cargo and luggage in the trunk when at all
possible. Be sure all items are secured in place.
 Be careful to keep the vehicle level. Placing the
weight as far forward as possible helps maintain
vehicle balance.
 For better fuel economy, do not carry unnecessary
weight.
CAUTION
Do not place anything on the package tray
behind the rear seatback. Such items may
be thrown about and possibly injure people
in the vehicle during sudden braking or an
accident.
Do not drive with objects left on top of the
instrument panel. They may interfere with the
driver’s field of view. Or they may move
during sharp vehicle acceleration or turning,
and impair the driver’s control of the vehicle.
In an accident they may injure the vehicle
occupants.
Capacity and distribution
Cargo capacity depends on the total weight of the
occupants.
(Cargo capacity) = (Total load capacity) – (Total weight
of occupants)
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.

DRIVING TIPS
294
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400 – 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
For details about trailer towing, see page 284.Example on your vehicle
1Cargo capacity
2Total load capacity
In case that 2 people with the combined weight of
166 kg (366 lb.) are riding in your vehicle with the
total load capacity of 410 kg (900 lb.), the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity will be
as follows:
410 kg – 166 kg = 244 kg.
(900 lb. – 366 lb. = 534 lb.)
From this condition, if 3 more passengers with the
combined weight of 176 kg (388 lb.) get on, the
available cargo and luggage load will be reduced as
follows:
244 kg – 176 kg = 68 kg.
(534 lb. – 388 lb. = 146 lb.)

DRIVING TIPS
295
As shown in the above example, if the number of
occupants increases, the cargo and luggage load
equaling the combined weight of occupants who got
on later must be reduced. In other words, if the
increase in the number of occupants causes the
excess of the total load capacity (combined weight
of occupants plus cargo and luggage load), you have
to reduce the cargo and luggage on your vehicle.
For details about total load capacity, see “Vehicle load
limits” on page 292.
CAUTION
Even if the total load of occupant’s weight and
the cargo load is less than the total load
capacity, do not apply the load unevenly. That
may cause not only damage to the tire but also
deterioration to the steering ability due to
unbalance of the vehicle, causing an accident.

CHASSIS
367
The recommended cold tire inflation pressures,
tire sizes and the combined weight of occupants
and cargo (vehicle capacity weight) are described
on page 362, 363 and 410. 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.
Passengers and luggage weight should be located
so that the vehicle is balanced.

CHASSIS
376
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termmeaning
Accessory weightthe combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may be rep\
laced)
of automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, \
power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory−installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Cold tire inflation
pressuretire inflation pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at least 3 \
hours or
more, or it has not been driven more than 1.5 km or 1 mile under that co\
ndition
Curb weightthe weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maxi\
mum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditionin\
g and
additional weight optional engine
Intended outboard
sidewall(a) the sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bearsmanufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or deeper
than the same molding on the other sidewall of the tire, or
(b) the outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that has a particula\
r side that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle
Maximum inflation
pressurethe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated and \
it is
shown on the sidewall of the tire
Maximum loaded
vehicle weightthe sum of —
(a) curb weight;
(b) accessory weight;
(c) vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) production options weight

CHASSIS
377
Tire related termmeaning
Normal occupant
weight68 kg (150 lb.) times the number of occupants specified in the second \
column of
Table 1 that follows
Occupant distributiondistribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the third column \
of Table 1 that
follows
Production options
weightthe combined weight of those installed regular production options weighi\
ng over 2.3 kg
(5 lb.) in excess of those standard items which they replace, not prev\
iously considered
in curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes, ride le\
velers, roof
rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim
Recommended
inflation pressurecold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manufacturer
Rima metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the ti\
re beads are
seated
Rim diameter (Wheel
diameter)nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designationrim diameter and width
Rim type designationthe industry of manufacturer’s designation for a rim by style or code
Rim widthnominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity
weight
(Total load capacity)the rated cargo and luggage load plus 68 kg (150 lb.) times the vehicl\
e’s designated
seating capacity

CHASSIS
378
Tire related termmeaning
Vehicle maximum load
on the tirethe load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to eac\
h axle its share of
the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two
Vehicle normal load
on the tirethe load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to eac\
h axle its share of
the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant weight (distribu\
ted in
accordance with Table 1 that follows) and dividing by two
Weather sidethe surface area of the rim not covered by the inflated tire
Table 1 — Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load fo\
r various designated seating
capacitiesDesignated seating capacity,number of occupants
Vehicle normal load, number of occupantsOccupant distribution in anormally loaded vehicle
2 through 422 in front
5 through 1032 in front, 1 in second seat

CHASSIS
383
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.
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
Do not use snow tires other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
Otherwise, an accident may occur resulting in death or
serious injuries.
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front 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
 Snow tires should be inflated to the same pressure as
the original tires.
 Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph) with any type of
snow tires.

CHASSIS
386
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.
CAUTION
Do not use wheels other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
Otherwise, an accident may occur resulting in death or
serious injuries.
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 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.