tires Lexus IS300 2005 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2005 IS300 (OM53489U) Owner's Guide

CHASSIS
369
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread
wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.).
If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks
deep enough to expose the fabric, or bulges
indicating internal damage, the tire should be
replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due
to the size or location of a cut or other damage, it should
be replaced. If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus
dealer.
If air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving.
Driving even a short distance can damage a tire beyond
repair.
Any tires which are over 6 years old must be
checked by a qualified technician even if damage is
not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or
seldom been used.
This applies also to the spare tire and tires stored for
future use.Tire selection
When replacing a tire, use a tire of the same size and
construction, and the same or greater maximum
load 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.
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. For details about the Certification
Label and sidewall of the tire, see pages 316 and 354.
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CHASSIS
370
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.
INSTALLING SNOW TIRES AND
CHAINS
When to use snow tires or chains
Snow tires or chains are recommended when driving on
snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional or radial tires provide better
traction than snow or studded tires.
Snow tire selection
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size,
construction and load capacity as the originally installed
tires.
Do not use tires other than stated above. 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 restrictions.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
Do not use snow tires other than the manufacturer's
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
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CHASSIS
371
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the rear wheels only can lead to an
excessive difference in road grip capability between the front
and rear tires which could cause loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the snow tires incorrectly inflated.
 Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph) with any type of
snow tires.
Tire chain selection
63L009a

1Side chain 2Cross chain
Use the tire chains of correct size.
For 225/45ZR17 tires, use the following type chains.
mm (in.)
A: Diameter of side chain 3.0 (0.12)
B: Diameter of cross chain 4.0 (0.16)
For P205/55R16 or 215/45ZR17 tires, use SAE Class ªSº type
radial tire chains, with the exception of radial cable chains or
V±bar type chains.
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary
according to location or type of road. Always check local
regulations before installing chains.
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372
NOTICE
If the wrong combination of tire and chain is used, thechains could damage the vehicle body.
Chain installation
Install the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible.
Do not use tire chains on the front tires. Retighten chains
after driving 0.5 ± 1.0 km (1/4 ± 1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, carefully follow the
instructions of the chain manufacturer.
CAUTION
 Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain
manufacturer's recommended speed limit,
whichever is lower.
 Drive carefully avoiding bumps, holes, and sharp
turns, which may cause the vehicle to bounce.
 Avoid sharp turns or locked±wheel braking, as use of
chains may adversely affect vehicle handling.
 When driving with chains installed, be sure to drive
carefully. Slow down before entering curves to avoid
losing control of the vehicle, it may cause an
accident.
NOTICE
Do not attempt to use a tire chain on the compact spare tire, as it may result in damage to the vehicle as well asthe tire.
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CHASSIS
374
ALUMINUM WHEEL PRECAUTIONS
When installing aluminum wheels, check that the wheel
nuts are tight after driving your vehicle the first 1600 km (1000 miles).
 If you have rotated, repaired, or changed your tires, check
that the wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000
miles).
 When using tire chains, be careful not to damage the
aluminum wheels.
 Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrench designed for your
aluminum wheels.
 When balancing your wheels, use only Lexus balance
weights or equivalent and a plastic or rubber hammer.
 As with any wheel, periodically check your aluminum
wheels for damage. If damaged, replace immediately.
SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis with lift kits,
spacers, springs, etc. It can cause dangerous handling
characteristics, resulting in loss of control.
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BODY
395
SPECIFICATIONS (SportCross)
± DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTOverall length
4495 mm (177.0 in.)
Overall width1725 mm (68.0 in.)
Overall height1430 mm (56.3 in.)*
Wheelbase2670 mm (105.1 in.)
Tread ± Front ± Rear1495 mm (58.9 in.)
1475 mm (58.1 in.) (with the 225/45ZR17 tires)
1485 mm (58.5 in.) (except the 225/45ZR17 tires)
Vehicle capacity weight (occupants + cargo)390 kg (860 lb.)
*Unladen vehicle
± FUEL TANK
Capacity
66 L (17.5 gal., 14.5 lmp.gal.)
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GAS STATION INFORMATION

Fuel selection:
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rat-
ing of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for
optimum engine performance. However, if such pre-
mium type cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use
unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87
(Research Octane Number 91).

Fuel tank capacity:
66 L (17.5 gal., 14.5 lmp.gal.)

Engine oil:
ªToyota Genuine Motor Oilº or equivalent
Oil grade: API grade SL ªEnergy±Conservingº or ILSAC
multigrade engine oil.
Recommend oil viscosity ± SAE 5W±30 if normal
temperatures are below 38 C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill with filter 5.4 (5.7, 4.8)
without filter 5.1 (5.4, 4.5)
See page 335 for detailed information.

Engine coolant:
Capacity: 7.5 L (7.9 qt., 6.6 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type ± ªToyota Super Long Life Coolantº or
similar high quality ethylene glycol based non±silicate,
non±amine, non±nitrite, and non±borate coolant with
long±life hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant with
long±life hybrid organic acid technology is a
combination of low phosphates and organic acids.)
Do not use plain water alone. For checking the engine coolant, see page 337.

Automatic transmission:
Fluid type ± Toyota Genuine ATF Type T±IV
See page 342 for detailed information.

Tire information:
See page 351 through 374 for detailed information.

Tire inflation pressure:
Tire size: 225/45ZR17, 215/45ZR17 or P205/55R16 89V
Tire pressure: cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi)
Ti
re sizeFrontRear
225/45ZR17 ± 240 (2.4, 35)
215/45ZR17 230 (2.3, 33) 230 (2.3, 33)
P205/55R16 89V 230 (2.3, 33) 230 (2.3, 33)
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.
225/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
215/45ZR17 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
P205/55R16 89V
Sedan 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm
2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
SportCross Front: 70kPa (0.8 kgf/cm2, 0.7 bar, 10 psi)
Rear: 90kPa (0.9 kgf/cm2, 0.9 bar, 15 psi)
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