tires LEXUS RX270 2014 Owner's Manual

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350/270_EE
■The initialization operation
●Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire infla-
tion pressure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the “ENGINE START STOP” switch off during
initialization, it is not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization
will restart automatically when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch has been
turned to IGNITION ON mode for the next time.
●If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary,
adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are cold,
and conduct initialization again.
■Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system
The warning of the tire pressure warning system will change in accordance with
driving conditions. For this reason, the system may give a warning even if the tire
pressure does not reach a low enough level, or if the pressure is higher than the
pressure that was adjusted to when the system was initialized.
■When 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 any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
●When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure warn-
ing light does not blink 3 times.
●After carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warning light
blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for 10 minutes.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■When 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 an accident resulting in death or serious
injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Lexus.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply tires).
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not push the tire pressure warning reset 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.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350/270_EE
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves, transmitters
and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitter, contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional as the tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those speci-
fied. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact any autho-
rized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional
or other qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to replace the tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. (→P. 4 8 4 )
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
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.
■If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
Tire inflation pressure
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure
reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation pressure
that is even just a few pounds off can degrade ride and handling.
●Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire inflation
pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is bal-
anced.
Make sure to maintain proper tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation pressure
should be checked at least once per month. However, Lexus recommends
that tire inflation pressure be checked once every two weeks.
(→P. 6 1 7 )
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
■Proper 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:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
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 are lost, replace them as soon as
possible.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
RX350/270_EE
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or cause a loss of han-
dling control.
■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 inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at any authorized Lexus dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Lexus does not recommend using the following:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
●Used wheels
●Bent wheels that have been straightened
■Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only Lexus wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
●When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1600 km (1000 miles).
●Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
●Use only Lexus genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
RX350/270_EE
■When replacing wheels (vehicles with tire pressure warning system)
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide advanced warn-
ing in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever wheels are replaced,
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must be installed. (→P. 4 8 5 )
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in loss of handling control.
●Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire.
Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters (vehicles with tire pres-
sure warning system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by any authorized Lexus dealer
or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional or other qualified
service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters at any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
●Ensure that only genuine Lexus wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with non-
genuine wheels.
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5
539
5-1. Essential information
When trouble arises
RX350/270_EE
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
AW D m o d e l s
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the front
wheels raised or with all four wheels raised off
the ground.
If the vehicle is towed with the front wheels
contacting the ground, the drivetrain and
related parts may be damaged.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all four
wheels raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the tires contacting the ground,
the drivetrain or related parts may be dam-
aged, the vehicle may fly off the truck.
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541
5-1. Essential information
When trouble arises
RX350/270_EE
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably needs
adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Lexus dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional as soon as possible.
■Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle.
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
●Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
●Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal.
■Audible symptoms
●Changes in exhaust sound
●Excessive tire squeal when cornering
●Strange noises related to the suspension system
●Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■Operational symptoms
●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
●Appreciable loss of power
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
●Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touches
the floor
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549
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
RX350/270_EE
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
Vehicles with a compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even though
the flat tire has been replaced with the spare tire. Replace the spare tire with the
repaired tire and adjust the tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning light
will go off after a few minutes.
Vehicles with a full-size spare tire
The spare tire is also equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter.
The tire pressure warning light will turn on if the tire inflation pressure of the spare
tire is low. If a tire goes flat, even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire,
the tire pressure warning light does not turn off. Replace the spare tire with the
repaired tire and adjust to the proper tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warn-
ing light will turn off after a few minutes.
■If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are used
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning computer
●If the tire inflation pressure is 500 kPa (5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar, 73psi) or higher
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies are nearby
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the wheels or
wheel housings
●If non-genuine Lexus wheels are used (Even if you use Lexus wheels, the tire
pressure warning system may not work properly with some types of tires.)
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