Snow Lexus GS350 2008 Owner's Guide

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about 20
minutes, the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute to indi-
cate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if they
have seldom or never been us ed or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0. 16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
■Low profile tires (245/40R18, P245/40R18 and 245/40ZR18 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance will be
reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires. Be sure to
use snow tires or snow chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully at a
speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified level.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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■Maximum load of tire
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. (
→P. 4 3 1 , 5 5 6 ) .
■Tire types
1 Summer tiresSummer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires
is recommended. When 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 ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions, as well as for use year round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, al l season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. 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 restriction.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. ( →P. 199)
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5
When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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June 19, 2008 12:54 pm
■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.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:
(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 the tire pressure warning select switch is set to a different tire setting.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher.
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●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.
●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.
■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).
■When a tire is replaced with a 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.
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518
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Firmly tighten each nut two or
three times in the order shown in
the illustration.
Tightening torque:
76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)
Stow the flat tire, tire jack and all tools.
STEP4
■If you have a flat rear tire on a road covered with snow or ice
Install the compact spare tire on the front of the vehicle. Perform the following steps
and fit tire chains to the rear tires.Replace a front tire with the compact spare tire.
Replace the flat rear tire with the tire removed from the front of the vehi-
cle.
Fit tire chains to the rear tires.
■After completing the tire change
The tire pressure warning system must be reset. ( →P. 422)
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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If the vehicle becomes stuck
CAUTION
■When attempting to free a stuck vehicle
If you choose to rock the vehicle back and forth to free it, make sure the surround-
ing area is clear, to avoid striking other vehicles, objects or persons. The vehicle
may also lunge forward or lunge back suddenly as it becomes free. Use extreme
caution.
■When shifting the shift lever
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may cause an
accident and result in death or serious injury.
Carry out the following procedures if the tires spin or the vehicle becomes
stuck in mud, dirt, or snow.
Stop the engine. Set the parking brake and shift the shift lever
in “P”.
Remove the mud, snow, or sand from around the stuck tire.
Place wood, stones or some other material to help provide
traction under the tires.
Restart the engine.
Shift the shift lever to the “D” or “R” position and carefully apply
the accelerator to free the vehicle.
Turn off TRAC/VSC if these functions are hampering your attempts
to free the vehicle. (→P. 1 8 6 )
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
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6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
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Tire related termMeaning
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fab-
ric and steel or other materials, that, when mounted
on an automotive wheel, provides the traction and
contains the gas or fluid that sustains the load
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to
the beads are laid at substantially 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread
Reinforced tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at
higher inflation pressures than the corresponding
standard tire
Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the side-
walls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due to
labeling, decoration, or protective bands
SidewallThat portion of a tire between the tread and bead
Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the cord
material in the sidewall
Snow tire
A tire that attains a traction index equal to or greater
than 110, compared to the ASTM E-1136 Standard
Reference Test Tire, when using the snow traction test
as described in ASTM F-1805-00, Standard Test
Method for Single Wheel Driving Traction in a
Straight Line on Snow-and Ice-Covered Surfaces,
and which is marked with an Alpine Symbol ( )
on at least one sidewall
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Abbreviation list
Abbreviation/Acronym list
ABBREVIATIONSMEANING
A/CAir Conditioning
ABSAnti-Lock Brake System
AFSAdaptive Front-lighting System
ALRAutomatic Locking Retractor
CRSChild Restraint System
DISPDisplay
ECUElectronic Control Unit
EDREvent Data Recorder
ELREmergency Locking Retractor
EPSElectric Power Steering
GAWRGross Axle Weight Ratings
GPSGlobal Positioning System
I/MEmission inspection and maintenance
INFOInformation
INTIntermittent
LEDLight Emitting Diode
MMTMethylcy clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl
M + SMud and Snow
MTBEMethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
OBDOn Board Diagnostics
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590
Alphabetical index
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Smart access system with push-button start
Antenna location....................................24
Entry function...........................................22
Starting the engine ................................ 121
Spare tire
Inflation pressure............................... 550
Spare tire..................................................513
Spark plug ................................................546
Specifications ........................................ 540
Speedometer........................................... 132
Steering wheel Adjustment............................................... 60
Audio switches ...................................288
Steering wheel position memory...................................................47
Storage compartment ........................ 344
Storage feature......................................340
Stuck If your vehicle becomes stuck.....536
Sun visors ................................................. 347
Switch “ENGINE START STOP” switch ....................................................... 121
Fog light switch.....................................145
Ignition switch..........................................121
Light switches ........................................ 142
Mode select switch............................. 126
Power door lock switch .....................37
Power window switch ........................ 64
Tire pressure warning reset switch ....................................... 422
Tire pressure warning select switch ................... 424
Window lock switch ........................... 64
Wipers and washer switch ............. 146 Tachometer ..............................................132
Tail lights
Switch ........................................................ 142
Theft deterrent system
Alarm...........................................................75
Immobilizer system .............................. 73
Theft prevention labels...........................77
Tire inflation pressure .........................550
Tire information Glossary ................................................ 562
Size ........................................................... 559
Tire identification number .............558
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ... 560
Tires
Chains..................................................... 200
Checking................................................. 421
Compact spare tire............................ 513
If you have a flat tire ............... 512, 522
Inflation pressure ...............................550
Information ........................................... 556
Replacing ................................................ 512
Rotating tires.......................................... 421
Size ........................................................... 550
Snow tires.............................................. 202
Tire pressure warning system....... 421
Tools.............................................................512
Total load capacity ................................ 198
Touch screen..........................................208
Towing Dinghy towing .................................... 205
Emergency towing ........................... 478
Trailer towing ...................................... 204
Traction control...................................... 184
Trip meter ..................................................132T
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