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

CHASSIS
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TYPES OF TIRES
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally
equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high−speed capability 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 or icy roads, we
recommend using snow tires. If 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 adequate for driving in most winter
conditions, as well as for use all year round. All season tires, however, 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 performance compared
with summer tires in highway driving.
The details about how to distinguish summer tires
from all season tires are described on page ccclxxiii.
CAUTION

Do not use tires other than the manufacturer’s
designated tires, and never mix tires or
wheels of the sizes different from the originals
as this could result in loss of control and
could cause death or serious injury.
 Do not mix summer and all season tires on
your vehicle as this can cause dangerous
handling characteristics, resulting in loss of
control.

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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.

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Tire chain selection
1Side chain2Cross chain
Use the tire chains of correct size.
For P215/60R16 and P215/55R17 tires, use the following type
chains. mm (in.)
A: Diameter of side chain 3 (0.12)
B: Width of side chain 10 (0.39)
C: Length of side chain 30 (1.18)
D: Diameter of cross chain 4 (0.16)
E: Width of cross chain 14 (0.55)
F: Length of cross chain 25 (0.98)Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary
according to location or type of road. Always check local
regulations before installing chains.
NOTICE
If the wrong combination of tire and chain is used, the
chains could damage the vehicle body.
Chain installation
Install the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Do not use tire chains on the rear tires. Retighten chains
after driving 0.5 — 1.0 km (1/4 — 1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, carefully follow the
instructions of the chain manufacturer.

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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.

Automatic transaxle:
Fluid type — Toyota Genuine ATF Type T −IV
See page ccclxiii for detailed information. Tire information:
See pages ccclxix t h rough ccclxxxix f o r d e t a i l e d
information.
Tire inflation pressure:
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Tire size: P215/60R16 94V
Front 200 (2.0, 29) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 200 (2.0, 29) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare 200 (2.0, 29) . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
Tire size: P215/55R17 93V
Front 210 (2.1, 30) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 210 (2.1, 30) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spare 210 (2.1, 30) . . . . . . . . . . . .
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (99 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 30
kPa (0.3 kgf/cm
2 or bar, 4 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but never exceed the maximum cold tire inflation pressure
molded on the tire sidewall.
See page ccclxv or ccclxvi for detailed information.