tires Lexus GS300h 2015 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: LEXUS, Model Year: 2015, Model line: GS300h, Model: Lexus GS300h 2015Pages: 620
Page 444 of 620

4446-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters and
tire valve caps (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly quali-
fied and equipped professional as the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not installed, water
could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire pressure warning valves
could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those specified.
The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles with
the tire pressure warning system)
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants , the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any authorized
Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qu alified and equipped professional or other
qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liquid sealant, make sure to
replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing the
tire. ( →P. 4 3 4 )
■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 cushioning
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.
■Low profile tires (except 225/50R17 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustain-
ing impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they may be
damaged more severely.
●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Failure to do so
may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
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6
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
Tire inflation pressure
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■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 or has not been driven for more than
1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is prop erly inflated based only on its appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as heat is generated
in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving.
●Passengers and luggage weight should be pl aced so that the vehicle is balanced.
Make sure to maintain proper tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation pressure
should be checked at least once per month. However, Lexus recommends
that tire inflation pressure be checked once every two weeks. ( →P. 5 7 5 )
WA R N I N G
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur which could
lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards, expansion
joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
Page 447 of 620

447
6
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Maintenance and care
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
Wheels
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are equivalent
to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Lexus does not recommend using the following:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
●Used wheels
●Bent wheels that have been straightened
●Steel wheels (except for vehicles with steel spare wheel)
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with your alumi-
num wheels.
●When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the wheel nuts are
still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
●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.
■When replacing wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advance warning in the event
of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters must be installed. ( →P. 434)
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced. Other-
wise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions
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4486-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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WA R N I N G
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the Owner’s
Manual, as this may result in a loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire. Doing
so may result in an accident, causing death or serious injury.
●Except for vehicles with steel spare wheel: Do not install steel wheels.
The wheel contact surface could be damaged, and the wheel could come off while
driving, which could lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury. (except
for vehicles with steel spare wheel)
■Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to leak air during driving, possibly causing an accident.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles with the tire pres-
sure warning system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional or other qualified ser-
vice shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters at any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
●Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with non-genu-
ine wheels.
Page 474 of 620

4747-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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WA R N I N G
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
■While towing
●When towing using cables or chains, avoid sudden starts, etc. which place excessive
stress on the towing eyelets, cables or chains. The towing eyelets, cables or chains
may become damaged, broken debris may hit people, and cause serious damage.
●Do not turn the power switch off.
There is a possibility that the steering wh eel is locked and cannot be operated.
■Installing towing eyelets to the vehicle
Make sure that towing eyelets are installed securely.
If not securely installed, towing eyelets may come loose during towing.
NOTICE
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing using a wheel-lift type truck
●Do not tow the vehicle from the rear when the power switch is off. The steering lock
mechanism is not strong enough to hold the front wheels straight.
●When raising the vehicle, ensure adequate ground clearance for towing at the oppo-
site end of the raised vehicle. Without adequate clearance, the vehicle could be dam-
aged while being towed.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle when towing with a sling-type truck
Do not tow with a sling-type truck, either from the front or rear.
■To prevent damage to the vehicle during emergency towing
Do not secure cables or chains to the suspension components.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground, the
drivetrain and related parts may be damaged,
an accident may occur due to a change in
direction of the vehicle or electricity generated
by the operation of the motor may cause a fire
to occur depending on the nature of the dam-
age or malfunction.
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7
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points higher than nor-
mal.
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
●Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches the floor
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified an
d equipped professional as soon as possible.
Visible s ymp toms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms
Page 480 of 620

4807-2. Steps to take in an emergency
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as natural air
leaks and tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In this case, adjusting
the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even though the flat
tire has been replaced with the spare tire.
■Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function properly
→P. 4 3 6
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for 1 minute when the
power switch is turned to ON mode, have it checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard because of noisy place or an audio sound.
WA R N I N G
■If both the ABS and the brake system warning lights remain on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place immediately and contact any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional. The vehicle will
become extremely unstable during braking, and the ABS system may fail, which could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than us ual when operating, hold firmly and oper-
ate using more force than usual.
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a loss of
vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire inflation pressure
immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjust-
ment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change it
with the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you could lose
control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
Page 481 of 620

4817-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
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NOTICE
■To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly
Do not install tires with different specifications or makers, as the tire pressure warning
system may not operate properly.
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7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
GS450h_300h_OM_OM30F00E_(EE)
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with spare tire)
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
●Set the parking brake.
●Shift the shift lever to P.
●Stop the hybrid system.
●Turn on the emergency flashers. (
→P. 4 6 8 )
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. The flat tire can be replaced with
the spare tire.
For details about tires: →P. 4 3 2
WA R N I N G
■If you have a flat tire
Do not continue driving with a flat tire.
Driving even a short distance with a flat tire can damage the tire and the wheel beyond
repair, which could result in an accident.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Page 519 of 620

5197-2. Steps to take in an emergency
7
When trouble arises
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WA R N I N G
■Using the tire jack
Observe the following precautions.
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off the jack, leading
to death or serious injury.
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or installing and
removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for replacing tires on
this vehicle.
●Put the jack properly in its jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported by the jack.
●Do not start the hybrid system or drive the vehicle while the vehicle is supported by
the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is inside.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
●When lowering the vehicle, make sure that there is no-one near the vehicle. If there
are people nearby, warn them vocally before lowering.