tires Lexus IS220d 2011 User Guide

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4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Where to go for service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the highest possible condition, Lexus
recommends that all repairs and service operations be carried out by autho-
rized Lexus dealers or repairers or other duly qualified and equipped profes-
sionals. For repairs and services covered by your warranty, please visit an
authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, who will use genuine Lexus parts in
repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There can also be advantages
in utilizing authorized Lexus dealers or repairers for non-warranty repairs
and services, as members of the Lexus network will be able to expertly
assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional service department will perform all of the scheduled maintenance
on your vehicle - reliably and economically due to their experience with
Lexus vehicles.
Does your vehicle need repair?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air
conditioning after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monox-
ide leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system
checked immediately.)
Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire
wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when driving straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspension movement
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional, as
soon as possible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Tires

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Replace the tires when the treadwear indicators show.
Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Wo r n t r e a d
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and inflation pressure if not
rotated.
Tire rotation
Models with 16-inch tires (with a compact spare tire or an
emergency tire puncture repair kit)
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate
your tires approximately
every 10000 km (6000
miles).
Models with 16-inch tires (with a full-size spare tire)
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate
your tires approximately
10000 k (6000
Front

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Directional tires
Tire direction marks
The tire sidewalls are marked
with arrows indicating the roll-
ing direction of the tire. If
mounted on the wrong side of
the vehicle, directional tires
will not perform properly.
The directional spare tire sup-
plied is for the front passenger
side of the vehicle. If mounted
on the front driver side or rear,
the directional tire will not per-
form properly.
Models with non-directional 18-inch tires
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate
your tires approximately
every 10000 km (6000
miles).
Models with 17-inch or directional 18-inch tires
Tires cannot be rotated.
Front

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
IS250/220d/200d_EE
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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if
it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
Low profile tires (models not equipped with 16-inch 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 tire chains
* on snowy and/or icy roads and
drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.
*: Tire chains cannot be mounted on 18-inch tires.
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 dan-
gerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
IS250/220d/200d_EE
NOTICE
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire air 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.
Low profile tires and wheels (vehicles with 17- and 18- inch tires)
Wheels with profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire
wheel when receiving 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 pot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.
Failure to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
If tire pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Tire inflation pressure
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 any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Instructions for checking tire 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 1.5 km or 1 mile, 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 han-
dling.
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
balanced.
Make sure to maintain the 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.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
IS250/220d/200d_EE
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 pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause
air leakage, 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
IS250/220d/200d_EE
Wheels
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 han-
dling control.
Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diame-
ter, rim width, and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at any authorized Lexus
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped pro-
fessional.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
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 1600 km (1000
miles).
Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.

5
465
5-1. Essential information
When trouble arises
IS250/220d/200d_EE
If you think something is wrong
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 and equipped professional, as soon
as possible.
Visible symptoms
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is nor-
mal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
Engine coolant temperature 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