spare wheel Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

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)

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)

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)

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)

CHASSIS
326± TIRES AND WHEELS (Type A)
Tire size Front
Rear
215/45ZR17
225/45ZR17
Tire inflation pressureRecommended cold tire inflation pressureFront 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
Rear 240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar, 35 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in countries
where such speeds are permitted by law, add 70 kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7
bar, 10 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but never exceed the
maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire sidewall.
Wheel size Front
Rear17 x 7 JJ
17 x 7 1/2 JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
Spare tire
Tire size215/45ZR17
Tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure240 kPa (2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar, 35 psi)
Wheel size17 x 7 JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
NOTE: For complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wheels\
), see ºChecking tire pressureº through ºAluminum
wheel precautionsº on page 331 through 341.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

CHASSIS
328± TIRES AND WHEELS (Type C)
Standard tires
Tire sizeP205/55R16 89V
Tire inflation pressure Recommended cold tire inflation pressureFront 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
Rear 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar, 33 psi)
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in countries
where such speeds are permitted by law, add the tire pressure given
below to the front tires and rear tires, but never exceed the maximum
cold tire pressure molded on the tire sidewall.
Sedan 70 kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
SportCross Front: 70 kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
Rear: 90 kPa (0.9 kgf/cm2, 0.9 bar, 15 psi)
Wheel size16 x 6 1/2JJ
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
Compact spare tire (IS300 sold in Canada only)
Tire sizeT125/70D17 98M
Tire inflation pressure420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm2 or bar, 60 psi)
Wheel size17 x 4T
Wheel nut torque103 N´m (10.5 kgf´m, 76 ft´lbf.)
NOTE: For complete information on tires (e.g. replacing tires or replacing wheels\
), see ºChecking tire pressureº through ºAluminum
wheel precautionsº on page 331 through 341.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

CHASSIS
334
ROTATING TIRES (SportCross)
SV63007

With the P205/55R16 or 215/45ZR17 tires
To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Lexus
recommends that you rotate your tires according to the
maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance
information, please refer to the ºOwner's Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenanceº.) However, the
most appropriate timing for tire rotation may vary
according to your driving habits and road surface
conditions.
The wheel assemblies must be rotated as illustrated above.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and damage.
Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect tire pressure,
improper wheel alignment, out±of balance wheels, or severe
braking.Before
storing radial, snow or studded tires, mark the direction
of rotation and be sure to install them in the same direction
when using them again. Tires should be stored in a cool dry
place.
SV63009

With the 215/45ZR17 tires for front and the
225/45ZR17 tires for rear
Do not perform rotation of the tires, from front to rear or
from left to right, or using the spare tire, performing such
tire rotation may result in the tires interfering with the
body or in uneven wear of the tires, so that steerability of
the vehicle is impaired.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

CHASSIS
340
NOTICE
Do not attempt to use a tire chain on the compact sparetire, as it may result in damage to the vehicle as well asthe tire.
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bends, cracks or heavy
corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the tire may slip off the
wheel or cause loss of handling control.
Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they
may have been subjected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent wheels which have
been straightened may have hidden structural damage and
therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a
leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
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.
Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus
dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect
handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability, headlight
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or snow
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)