inflation pressure Lexus ES350 2008 User Guide

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents. Failure to do so may cause
damage to parts of the drive train, as well as dangerous handling characteristics,
which may lead to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not push 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 pressure is low, or it may come on when
the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels an d tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitters
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
■To avoid damaging the tire pressu re warning valves and transmitters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the cushion-
ing ability of the tires. In addition driving on rough roads may cause damage to the
tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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Tire inflation pressure
■Tire inflation pressure
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure and tire size is dis-
played on the tire and loading information label. ( →P. 4 1 5 )

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Inspection and adjustment procedure
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the graduations of the gauge.
If the tire inflation pressure is not within the recommended lev-
els, adjust inflate the tire.
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to lower.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement and
adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check for leak-
age.
Reinstall the tire valve cap.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check 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 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure
reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation pressures
that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride and handling.
●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 placed so that the vehicle is bal-
anced.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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CAUTION
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions may occur
and result in an accident causing death or serious injury.
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause air leak-
age, which could result in an accident. If the caps have been lost, replace them as
soon as possible.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Wheels
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Lexus are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advanced warning in
the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, the tire
pressure warning valves and transmitters must be switched over from the old
wheels. (→P. 3 1 8 )
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Oth-
erwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of handling con-
trol.
■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.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer.
Lexus does not recommend using:
● Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
● Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
● Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Driver’s seat belt reminder
light (warning buzzer
*2)
Warns the driver to fasten his
or her seat belt.Fasten the seat belt.
(with naviga- tion system)
(without navi-
gation system)Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light
(warning buzzer
*2)
Warns the front passenger to
fasten his or her seat belt.Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure.Adjust the tire inflation pres-
sure.
When the light comes on after
blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pres-
sure warning system
Have the system checked by
your Lexus dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the following:
• The airbag sensor assembly
• The front airbag sensors
• The side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
• The curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
• The driver’s seat position sensor
• The driver’s seat belt buckle switch
• Occupant detection system (ECU and sensors)
• AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG OFF indicator lights
• Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
• The seat belt pretensioner assemblies
• The inflators
• The interconnecting wiring and power sources
■Front passenger detection sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
If luggage or other load is placed on the front passenger seat, depending on its
weight, the reminder light may flash and buzzer may sound.
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level. Pushing the tire
pressure warning reset switch does not turn off the tire pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjust-
ing the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).

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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■When a tire is replaced with a spare tireFull-size spare tire
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter.
The tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire inflation pressure of the spare
tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire,
the tire pressure warning light does not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the
repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning
light will turn off after a few minutes. Compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even
though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire. Replace the spare tire with the
repaired tire and adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning
light will turn off after a few minutes.

5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system may become inoperative in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●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 regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed (vehicles with full-
size spare tire).
●If the tire pressure warning select switch is set to a different tire setting.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the wheels or
wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used. (Even if you use Lexus wheels, the tire
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
●If the full-size spare tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal recep-
tion.
●If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is put in the
trunk (vehicles with full-size spare tire).
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher.