flat tire Lexus GX470 2007 Using other driving systems /

313
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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 0 3 )
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause loss of handling
control.
■ 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
• Lexus wheels with after market chrome plating
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changi ng 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.

When trouble arises5
337
5-1. Essential information............ 338If your vehicle needs to be towed .......................................... 338
If you think something is wrong .......................................... 343
Fuel pump shut off system ..... 344
Event data recorder ................. 345
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency............................ 347
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds... .... 347
If you have a flat tire.................. 356
If the engine will not start ....... 367
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P........................... 368
If you lose your keys ................. 369
If the vehicle battery is discharged ................................ 370
If your vehicle overheats ........ 373
If the vehicle becomes stuck ............................................ 375

5
When trouble arises
343
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temper ature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● 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, sp ongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor

5
When trouble arises
351
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
*: Driver’s seat belt reminder buzzer:
The driver’s seat belts reminder sounds to alert the driver that his or her seat
belt is not fastened. Once the ignition key is turned to the “ON” or “START”
position, the reminder light flashes and a buzzer sounds if the driver's seat belt
is not fastened. Unless the driver fasten s the belt, the light continues flashing,
however the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Driver’s seat belt reminder
light (warning buzzer)
*
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt.Fasten the seat belt.
Front passenger’s seat belt
reminder light
Warns the front passenger to
fasten his/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 stays on after
blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pres-
sure warning system.
Have the system checked by
your Lexus dealer.

5
When trouble arises
353
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
■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.
■When a tire is replaced with a 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 warning light does not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire and
adjust the proper tire inflation pressure. The warning light will turn off after a few
minutes.
■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.
●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 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.
●If tire chains are used.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or higher.
●If the tire is in a location subject to poor radio wave signal reception.

354
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute frequently
when the ignition switch is turned to th e “ON” position, have it checked by your
Lexus dealer.
■After changing the engine oil (U.S.A. only)
Make sure to reset the oil maintenance data. ( P. 2 9 2 )
CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided ), should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure re commended by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressu re label (tire and load information label).
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label [tire and load information label], you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicl e has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS-tire pressure warning system) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light) when one or more of your tires is sig-
nificantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale (tire pres-
sure warning light) illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling
and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv er's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire pressure warning light).

5
When trouble arises
355
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause 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 pres-
sure 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 the tire is flat,
change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired by the nearest Lexus
dealer.
●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.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pressure warn-
ing system may not operate properly.

356
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the shift lever to “P”.
● Turn off the rear height control air suspension. ( P. 123)
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Wheel nut
wrench
Spare tire
Jack
Tools
Jack handle and extensions

358
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Taking out the spare tireRemove the spare tire carrier lid
using a flathead screwdriver.
Insert the jack handle extension
into the lowering socket.
Place a rag under the jack handle
extension to protect the bumper.
Lower
Raise
Lower the spare tire completely to
the ground.
Vehicles with kinetic dynamic susp ension: If the spare tire becomes
caught on the suspension components, raise the tire, pull it towards the
rear of the vehicle, and begin lowering it again.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
359
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Pull out the spare tire and remove
the holding bracket.
Replacing a flat tireChock the tires.
STEP4
STEP1
Flat tireWheel chock position
FrontLeft-hand sideBehind the rear right-hand side tire
Right-hand sideBehind the rear left-hand side tire
Rear
Left-hand sideIn front of the front right-hand side tire
Right-hand sideIn front of the front left-hand side tire