tire type Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

AUDIO
208If no messages have been stored, or if there are no more
messages to be recalled, ºNO MSG STOREDº will appear on
the display, and the message display will be canceled. The
display then returns to show the program service name. The
message display will be canceled if you activate any function
that affects the display.
Message display can be canceled by pressing any of the
following buttons:
ºAMº, ºFMº, ºCDº, ºTAPEº, ºLOADº, ºSEEKº, ºTUNEº, any
preset, º
SCANº, any audio control, ºRDSº, or ºº. If the
current station is not a traffic program and traffic
announcements is off, pushing ºTRAFº will cancel the display.
The message will be canceled after the entire message has
been displayed.
(g) ºALERTº display
The alert program type sends emergency alert messages. The
radio will receive alert messages if it is on and tuned to an RDS
station, or if the previous station was an RDS station. If the
radio receives an alert announcement, it will interrupt the
previous mode, display ºALERTº .
Cassette tape player operation
(a) Playing a cassette tape
SV22058
When you insert a cassette tape, the exposed tape should
face to the right.
The player will automatically start when you insert a cassette
tape. At this time, ºPLAYº appears on the display.
If a metal or chrome equivalent cassette tape is put in the
cassette player, the player will automatically adapt to it and
ºMTLº appears on the display.
To stop or eject the cassette tape, push the ºEJECTº button.
Auto±reverse feature: After the cassette player reaches the
end of a tape, it automatically reverses and begins to play the
other side, regardless of whether the cassette was playing or
fast forwarding.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

SECTION 3 ± 1
223
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Three±way catalytic converter224
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Engine exhaust caution 225
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Before starting the engine 226
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Ignition switch with steering lock 227
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Parking brake 228
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. . . . . .
How to start the engine 229
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Automatic transmission 230
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Manual transmission 239
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Electronic controlled transmission 240
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Cruise control 241
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Traction control system 244
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Vehicle skid control system 247
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Electronic throttle control system 249
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Brake system 250
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Brake pad wear indicators 254
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Types of tires 254
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Limited ±slip differential 255
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2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
249

The ºVSCº warning light and ºTRAC OFFº indicator/warning
light come on while driving without pushing ºTRAC OFFº
switch.
CAUTION
Do not rely excessively on the vehicle skid control
system. Even if the vehicle skid control system is
operating, you must always drive carefully and atten-
tively to avoid serious injury. Reckless driving will
result in an unexpected accident. If the slip indicator
light flashes, sounding an alarm, special care should
be taken while driving.
 Only use tires of specified size. The size, manufac-
turer, brand and tread pattern for all 4 tires should be
the same. If you use the tires other than specified, or
different type or size, the vehicle skid control system
may not function correctly. When replacing the tires
or wheels, contact your Lexus dealer.
ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic throttle control system always maintains
appropriate engine output in relation to the accelerator
opening in all driving conditions.
SV31038
You can select the snow mode by pushing the ºSNOWº
switch. The ºSNOWº indicator light will come on.
Snow mode: Decreases the engine output to minimize rear
wheel spinning on snowcovered or slippery roads.
To return to the normal mode, push the ºSNOWº switch again.
The ºSNOWº indicator light will go off.
When you turn the ignition switch off in the snow mode, the
mode automatically changes to the normal mode.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

STARTING AND DRIVING
254
BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATORS
SS31030
The brake pad wear limit indicators on your disc brakes
give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn to the
extent that replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise while driving, have
the brake pads checked and replaced by your nearest Lexus
dealer immediately.
Avoid continuous driving with the warning noise.
Continuous driving without replacing the brake pads will cause
expensive rotor damage and increasing brake pedal effort to
get the same stopping distance.
TYPES OF TIRES
Determine w hat kind of tires your vehicle is originally equipped
with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high±speed capability tires best suited to
highway driving under dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance
as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on
snow±covered or icy roads. For driving on snow±covered or
icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If 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 adequate for driving in most winter conditions, as well
as for use all year round.
All season 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (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
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)

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
327
± TIRES AND WHEELS (Type B)
Tire size
215/45ZR17
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 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 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
337
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, C ± The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades for this tire are established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use a tire of the same size and
construction, and the same or g reater load capacity as the
originally installed tires.
Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect
handling, ride, speedometer/odometer calibration, ground
clearance, and clearance between the body and tires or snow
chains.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
 Do not mix radial, bias belted, or bias±ply tires on
your vehicle, as this may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
If you need to change from conventional tires to radial tires or
vice versa, replace them as a set.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)