wheel Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 (OM53439U) Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: LEXUS, Model Year: 2003, Model line: IS300, Model: Lexus IS300 2003Pages: 389, PDF Size: 3.24 MB
Page 268 of 389
STARTING AND DRIVING
255
CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season tires on your
vehicle as this can cause dangerous handling
characteristics, resulting in loss of control.
Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's
designated tires, and never mix tires or wheels of the
sizes different from the originals.
LIMITED±SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
Some vehicles are equipped with a limited±slip differential. If
one rear wheel begins to spin, the limited±slip differential is
designed to aid traction by automatically transmitting driving
force to the other rear wheel. If you are not sure whether your
vehicle is equipped with one, you can ask your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by a j ack. The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or result in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a spare tire of the same size, construction and
load capacity as the original tires on your Lexusbecause damage to the limited±slip differential couldpossibly occur with another tire type.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 272 of 389
DRIVING TIPS
259
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN VARIOUSCONDITIONS
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds. This will allow you
much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if possible, at a right angle.
Avoid driving onto high, sharp±edged objects and other
road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire
damage resulting in tire bursts.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps or travelling on a
bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front wheels until they touch
the curb so that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the parking
brake, and place the transmission in ºPº (automatic) or in
first or reverse (manual). If necessary, block the wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through deep water may get
the brakes wet. To see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you and then press the pedal lightly.
If you do not feel a normal braking force, the brakes are
probably wet. To dry them, drive the vehicle cautiously while
lightly pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake
applied. If they still do not work safely, pull to the side of the
road and call a Lexus dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure the parking brake is
fully released and that the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the
engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It can cause dangerous overheating, needless wear,
and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill, reduce your speed
and downshift. Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and not work
properly. See page 235.
Be careful when accelerating, upshifting,
downshifting or braking on a slippery surface. The
abrupt change in engine speed, such as sudden
acceleration or engine braking, could cause the
vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the
legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 140 km/h
(85 mph) unless your vehicle has high±speed
capability tires. Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control and possible
injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle are high±speed
capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 274 of 389
DRIVING TIPS
261
Check the electronic ignition system for loose
connections or obvious damage.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt
lock de±icer or glycerine into the locks to keep them from
freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Lexus dealer and most auto
parts stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may damage your vehicle's paint.
Do not use your parking brake when there is a possibility
it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into ºPº (automatic) or into
first or reverse (manual) and block the front wheels. Do not use
the parking brake, or snow or water accumulated in and around
the parking brake mechanism may freeze the parking brake,
making it hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders can make steering
difficult. During bad winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally. Depending on where you are driving, we recommend you
carry some emergency equipment.
Some of
the things you might put in the vehicle are tire chains,
window scraper, bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 275 of 389
DRIVING TIPS
262
DINGHY TOWING
SV32002
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with four
wheels on the ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four wheels on the ground.This may cause serious damage to your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
SV32001
Lexus does not recommend towing a trailer with your
vehicle. It is not designed for trailer towing.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 276 of 389
DRIVING TIPS
263
HOW TO SAVE FUEL AND MAKEYOUR VEHICLE LAST LONGER
Improving fuel economy is easy ± just take it easy. It will help
make your vehicle last longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the correct pressure. Check
the pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month.
Underinflation causes tire wear and wastes fuel.
Do not carry unneeded weight in your vehicle. Excess
weight puts a heavier load on the engine, causing greater
fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm±up idling. Once the engine is
running smoothly, begin driving ± but gently. Remember,
however, that on cold winter days this may take a little
longer.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have a long wait and you
are not in traffic, it is better to turn off the engine and start
again later.
Avoid engine over±revving. Use a gear position suitable
for the road on which you are traveling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and slowing down.
Stop±and±go driving wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a
steady pace. Try to time the traf fic signals so you only need
to stop as little as possible or take advantage of through
streets to avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper distance from
other vehicles to avoid sudden braking. This will also
reduce wear on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This causes
premature wear, overheating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on highways. The faster you
drive, the greater the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel consumption.
Keep the front wheels in proper alignment. Avoid hitting
the curb and slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire wear but also puts an
extra load on the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free from mud, etc.
This not only lessens weight but also helps prevent
corrosion.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 285 of 389
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
272
IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place ± well away from
the traffic. Avoid stopping on the center divider of a highway.
Park on a level spot with firm ground.
2. Stop the engine and turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Firmly set the parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº
(automatic) or reverse (manual).
4. Have everyone get out of the vehicle on the side away from
traffic.
5. Read the following instructions thoroughly.
CAUTION
When jacking, be sure to observe the following to
reduce the possibility of personal injury:
Follow jacking instructions.
Do not put any part of your body under a vehicle
supported by a jack. Personal injury may occur.
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
supported by the jack.
Stop the vehicle on a level firm ground, firmly set the
parking brake and put the transmission in ºPº
(automatic) or reverse (manual). Block the wheel
diagonally opposite to the one being changed if
necessary.
Make sure to set the jack properly in the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with jack improperly positioned
will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall
off the jack and cause personal injury.
Never get under the vehicle when the vehicle is
supported by the jack alone.
Use the jack only for lifting your vehicle during wheel
changing.
Do not raise the vehicle with someone in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or
under the jack.
Raise the vehicle only high enough to remove and
change the tire.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving
even a short distance can damage a tire and wheelbeyond repair.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 286 of 389
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
273
Compact spare tire (Some models)
SV64025
The compact spare tire is designed for temporary
emergency use only.
The compact spare tire is identified by the distinctive wheel
design and color and special wording ºTEMPORARY USE
ONLYº molded into the side wall of the tire.
To keep the compact spare tire noticeable, do not hide the
wheel by a wheel cover or such.
The compact spare tire saves space in your luggage
compartment, and its lighter weight helps to improve fuel
economy and permits easier installation in case of a flat tire.
The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary.
It has tread life of up to 4800 km (3000 miles) depending on
road conditions and your driving habits. When tread wear
indicators appear on the tire, replace the tire. (See ºChecking
and replacing tiresº on page 335.)
CAUTION
The compact spare tire was designed especially for
your Lexus. Do not use it on any other vehicle.
Do not use more than one compact spare tire at the
same time.
The pressure for the compact spare tire must be 420
Kpa (4.2 kgf/cm
2
or bar, 60 psi).
Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) when driving with the
compact spare tire.
The standard tire should be repaired and replaced as
soon as possible.
Avoid sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration and
sharp turns with the compact spare tire.
NOTICE
Your ground clearance is reduced when the compact
spare tire is installed so avoid driving over obstaclesand drive slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speedbumps. Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic
car wash as the vehicle may get caught, resulting in damage.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
Page 288 of 389
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
275
SV41034
When closing the board, replace the hook also in its
original position as shown.
NOTICE
If you close the back door with the board hooked, thehook may be damaged.
Spare tire with turning direction indicators
(Some models)
SV41014
The spare tire with turning direction indicators is of a
uni±directional type and is intended for use on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
Installing the wheel on the driver side of the vehicle will not
affect tire performance. If the spare tire is used on the driver
side of the vehicle, it should be used only temporarily and then
replaced with the correct one.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
277
SS41005
1Joint
2When removing the jack, turn the joint by hand in the
ºcontractº direction until the jack is free.
3 When storing, turn the joint by hand in the ºexpandº
direction u ntil the jack is firmly secured to prevent it from
flying forward during a collision or sudden braking.
SV41028
To remove the spare tire:
1Remove the tool tray
2Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, place it with the inner side of the
wheel facing up. Then bolt the tire in place and install the tool
tray to prevent the tire from flying forward during a collision or
sudden braking.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)
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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
278
SV41033
2. Block the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire to keep
the vehicle from rolling when it is jacked up.
When blocking the wheel, place a wheel block in front of one
of the front wheels or behind one of the rear wheels.
SS41008
3. Loosen all the wheel nuts.
Always loosen the wheel nuts before raising the vehicle.
Turn the wheel nuts counterclockwise to loosen them. To get
maximum leverage, fit the wrench to the nut so that the handle
is on the right side, as shown above. Grab the wrench near the
end of the handle and pull up on the handle. Be careful that the
wrench does not slip off the nut.
Do not remove the nuts yet ± just unscrew them about one±half
turn.
CAUTION
Never use oil or grease on the bolts or nuts. The nuts
may loosen and the wheels may fall off, which could
cause a serious accident.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)