tires LEXUS IS250 2016 User Guide

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Directional tires
Tire direction marks
The tire sidewalls are marked with
arrows indicating the rolling direc-
tion of the tire. If mounted on the
wrong side of the vehicle, direc-
tional tires will perform poorly.
2WD models with 18-inch or directional 17-inch tires
Tires cannot be rotated.
nThe tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. (→P. 385, 393)

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Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer and tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. (→P. 329)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
nThe tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
lWhen rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and rear tire
inflation pressures.
lWhen changing the tire inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed.
lWhen changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.

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Maintenance and care
Recording tire inflation pressure
settings
Push and hold the “ON/OFF” but-
ton until the tire pressure warning
light blinks slowly three times and
the message “PRESSURE INI-
TIAL” appears on the multi-infor-
mation display.
Wait for a few minutes with the IGNITION ON mode, and then
turn the “ENGINE START STOP” switch OFF.
Registering and selecting ID codes
To select tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes, use the
satellite switch. (→P. 260)
nRegistering ID codes
2 sets of tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes can be
registered. Once a second set of tires is registered at “2ND”, you can
switch between tire set settings simply by pressing the tire pressure
warning select switch.
There are 2 settings:
“MAIN” position: The ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter on the tires originally installed on the vehicle is registered.
“2ND” position:The ID code is not registered. When you replace a
new set of tires, purchase tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
from your Lexus dealer and have the new ID code registered by your
Lexus dealer.
STEP5

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nSelecting ID codes
When replacing tires, make sure to select the ID code set that matches
the new tire set. If the tire pressure select switch is set to the wrong tire
setting, the tire pressure warning system will not operate properly.
After driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light
comes on after blinking for 1 minute to indicate a system malfunction.
Tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter ID code settings dis-
play
Press < or > repeatedly until the
setting display appears.
Switching ID codes
Press the “ON/OFF” button to
switch between “MAIN” and
“2ND” ID codes.

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Maintenance and care
nWhen to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
lYou have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
lA 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.
nReplacing 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.
nTire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if they
have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
nIf the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
nLow 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.
nMaximum 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. 3 3 6 , 4 4 9 ) .

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nTire types
1 Summer tires
Summer 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, all 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. 2 0 0 )
nInitializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified level.
nWhen the initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following cases,
the settings have not been recorded and the system will not operate properly. If
repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings are unsuccessful, have
the vehicle inspected by your Lexus dealer.
lWhen operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure warn-
ing light does not flash 3 times and the setting message does not appear on the
multi-information display.
lAfter carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning light
blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for about 20 minutes.

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CAUTION
nTire pressure warning system operation
The tire pressure warning system may not provide warning immediately if a tire
bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.
nWhen 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.
lDo not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.
lDo not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
lDo not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
lDo not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
lDo not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
nWhen initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not press the satellite 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
nRepairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
nTo avoid damaging the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.

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Maintenance and care
NOTICE
nDriving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot holes.
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.
nLow profile tires and wheels
Wheels with profile tires like 17- and 18-inch tires may cause greater damage than
usual to the tire wheel when receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay
attention to the following:
lBe sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they may
be damaged more severely.
lAvoid pot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.
Failure to do so can lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
nIf tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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nEffects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
lReduced fuel efficiency
lReduced driving comfort and tire life
lReduced safety
lDamage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Lexus dealer.
nInstructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
lCheck 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.
lAlways 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.
lDo not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for the
tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
lNever exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is bal-
anced.

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Maintenance and care
CAUTION
nProper 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.
lExcessive wear
lUneven wear
lPoor handling
lPossibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
lPoor sealing of the tire bead
lWheel deformation and/or tire separation
lA greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
nWhen 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.