flat tire Lexus ES330 2006 Basic Functions In Frequent Use / (OM33703U) Owner's Guide

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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) —
Excessive wear
 Uneven wear
 Poor handling
 Possibility of blowouts from an 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) —
 Poor handling
 Excessive wear
 Uneven wear
 A greater possibility of tire damage from road
hazards

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1Summer tire or all season tire: An all season
tire has “M+S” on the sidewall. The tire not
marked with “M+S” is a summer tire. For details,
see “Types of tires” on page ccclxxxii.
2Tire size: For details, see “Tire size” on page ccclxxv.
3DOT and Tire Identification Number (TIN): For
details, see “DOT and Tire Identification Number
(TIN)” on page ccclxxv.
4Uniform tire quality grading: For details, see
“Uniform tire quality grading” that follows.
5Location of the tread wear indicators: For
details, see “Checking and replacing tires” on
page ccclxxxiv.
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 biasply tires: A radial tire has
“RADIAL” on the sidewall. A tire not marked with
“RADIAL” is a bias−ply tire.
8“TUBELESS” or “TUBE TYPE”: 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 tires” on page ccclxxxiv.
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 “Specifications” on page
ccclxiii.

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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 grade for this tire
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.

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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

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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

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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

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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 inflation 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.

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CHECKING AND REPLACING TIRES
When to replace your tires
1New tread2Tread wear indicator
3Worn tread
Replace the tires when the tread wear indicators
show. The location of tread wear indicators is
shown by the marks such as “TWI” or “
Δ” marks,
etc., 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.).
If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits,
cracks deep enough to expose the fabric, or
bulges indicating internal damage, the tire should
be replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired
due to the size or location of a cut or other damage,
it should be replaced. If you are not sure, consult
with your Lexus dealer.
If air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving.
Driving even a short distance can damage a tire
beyond repair.
Any tires which are over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician even if damage
is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or
seldom been used.

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This applies also to the spare tire and tires stored
for future use.
Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use a tire of the same size
and construction, and the same or greater
maximum loads as the originally installed tires.
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.
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. For details about
Certification Label and sidewall of the tire, see pages
cccxxxix and ccclxxiii.
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.

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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.