wheel LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

CHASSIS
588
Snow tire installation
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front 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
Snow tires should be inflated to the same pressure as
the original tires.
 Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph) with any type of
snow tires.
Tire chain selection
1Side chain2Cross chain
Use the tire chains of correct size.
For 225/65R17 101S or P235/55R18 99V tires, use the
following type chains. mm (in.)
A: Diameter of side chain 3.0 (0.12)
B: Width of side chain 10.0 (0.39)
C: Length of side chain 30.0 (1.18)
D: Width of cross chain 14.0 (0.55)
E: Length of cross chain 25.0 (0.98)
F: Diameter of cross chain 4.0 (0.16)

CHASSIS
589
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary
according to location or type of road. Always check local
regulations before installing chains.
NOTICE
If the wrong combination of tire and chain is used, the
chains could damage the vehicle body.
Chain installation
Install the chains on the front tires as tightly as possible.
Do not use tire chains on the rear 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 lockedwheel 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. Otherwise an accident
may occur.
 Vehicles with electronically modulated air
suspension: When installing the tire chains, be sure
to turn off the height control and stop the engine.
Otherwise, the vehicle height may change in the
automatic leveling function, resulting in an
unexpected accident. For details, see page 446.
If the chains are installed, the tire pressure warning
system may not operate properly. See “Tire pressure
warning system” on page 462.

CHASSIS
590
REPLACING WHEELS
When to replace your wheels
If you have wheel damage such as bending, cracks or
heavy corrosion, the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace a damaged wheel, 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.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
 Do not use wheels other than the manufacturer’s
recommended size, as this may cause dangerous
handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
 Fourwheel drive models:
Do not use wheels of different brands, sizes and
types, as this may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of control.
Initial adjustment of the tire pressure warning system is
necessary after you have replaced your wheels. See “Tire
pressure warning system” on page 462.

CHASSIS
591
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.

BODY
616
SPECIFICATIONS
— DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTSOverall length
4730 mm (186.2 in.)
Overall width1845 mm (72.6 in.)
Overall height*1
Tw o −wheel drive models
Four−wheel drive models — With electronically modulated air suspension
— Without electronically modulated air suspension1670 mm (65.7 in.)*2
1710 mm (67.3 in.)*3
1725 mm (67.9 in.)*4
1670 mm (65.7 in.)*2
1710 mm (67.3 in.)*3
1725 mm (67.9 in.)*4
1680 mm (66.1 in.)*2
1720 mm (67.7 in.)*3
1735 mm (68.3 in.)*4
*1: Unladen vehicle
*2: Without roof rails
*3: With roof rails
*4: With roof rails and cross rails

BODY
617
— DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTSWheelbase
2715 mm (107 in.)
Tread Tw o −wheel drive models
— Front
— Rear
Four−wheel drive models — Front
— Rear (with electronically
modulated air suspension)
— Rear (without electronically
modulated air suspension)
1580 mm (62.2 in.)
1565 mm (61.6 in.)
1575 mm (62.0 in.)
1560 mm (61.4 in.)
1555 mm (61.2 in.)
Vehicle capacity weight
(occupants + cargo)420 kg (925 lb.)
Towing capacity
(trailer weight + cargo weight)— Without towing package
— With towing package
907 kg (2000 lb.)
1588 kg (3500 lb.)
— FUEL TANK
Capacity
72.5 L (19.2 gal., 15.9 Imp. gal.)

BODY
618
PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLEFROM CORROSION
Proper care of your Lexus can help ensure long −term
corrosion prevention.
The most common causes of corrosion to your vehicle
are:
 The accumulation of road salt, dirt and moisture in
hard−to−reach areas under the vehicle.
 Chipping of paint or undercoating caused by minor
accidents or by stones and gravel.
The following conditions will cause or accelerate
corrosion of your vehicle, so it is important to keep your
vehicle, particularly the underside, as clean as possible
and to repair any damage to paint or protective coatings
as soon as possible.
 The presence of road salt or dust control chemicals, salt in
the air near the sea coast, industrial air pollution.
 High humidity, especially at temperatures just above
freezing point.
 Certain parts of your vehicle are wet or damp for an
extended period of time, even though other parts of the
vehicle are dry.
 Components of the vehicle which are prevented from
quick−drying due to lack of proper ventilation are exposed
to high ambient temperature. To help prevent corrosion on your Lexus, follow these
guidelines:
Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing.
In addition,
observe the following points.
 If you drive on salted roads in the winter or if you live near
the ocean, you should hose off the undercarriage at least
once a month to minimize corrosion.
 High pressure water or steam is effective for cleaning the
vehicle’s underside and wheel housings. Pay particular
attention to these areas as it is difficult to see all the mud and
dirt. It will do more harm than good to simply wet the mud
and debris without removing. The lower edge of doors,
rocker panels and frame members have drain holes which
should not be allowed to clog with dirt as trapped water in
these areas can cause corrosion.
 Wash the underside of the vehicle thoroughly when winter
is over.
See “Washing and waxing” on page 619 for more tips.
Check the condition of your vehicle’s paint and trim. If you
find any chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up
immediately to prevent corrosion from starting. If the chips or
scratches have gone through the bare metal, have a qualified
body shop make the repair.

BODY
619
Check the interior of your vehicle.
Water and dirt can
accumulate under the floor mats and could cause corrosion.
Occasionally check under the mats to make sure the area is
dry. Be particularly careful when transporting chemicals,
cleansers, fertilizers, salt, etc. These should be transported in
proper containers. If a spill or leak should occur, immediately
clean and dry the area.
Use mud shields on your wheels. If you drive on salted or
gravel roads, mud shields help protect your vehicle. Full −size
shields, which come as near to the ground as possible, are the
best. We recommend that the fittings and the area where the
shields are installed be treated to resist corrosion. Your Lexus
dealer will be happy to assist in supplying and installing the
shields if they are recommended for your area.
Keep your vehicle in a well ventilated garage or a roofed
place. Do not park your vehicle in a damp, poorly
ventilated garage. If you wash your vehicle in the garage, or
if you drive it covered with water or snow, your garage may be
so damp as to cause corrosion. Even if your garage is heated,
a wet vehicle can corrode if the ventilation is poor.
WASHING AND WAXING
Washing your Lexus
Keep your vehicle clean by regular washing.
The following cases may cause weakness to the paint or
corrosion to the body and parts. W ash your vehicle as soon as
possible.
 When driving in a coastal area
 When driving on a road sprinkled with antifreeze
 When exposed to coal tar, tree sap, bird droppings and
carcass of an insect
 When driving in areas where there is a lot of smoke, soot,
dust, iron dust or chemical substances
 When the vehicle becomes remarkably dirty with dust and
mud
Handwashing your Lexus
Work in the shade and wait until the vehicle body is not
warm to the touch.
1. Rinse off loose dirt with a hose. Remove any mud or road
salt from the underside of the vehicle or the wheel wells.
2. Wash with a mild car −wash soap, mixed according to the
manufacturer’s instructions. Use a soft cotton mitt and keep it
wet by dipping it frequently into the wash water. Do not rub hard
— let the soap and water remove the dirt.

BODY
620Fuel
filler door: Do not apply water (high −pressure car wash,
for example) at or near the fuel tank inlet with the fuel filler door
opened. If the water enters the air vent, you may experience
trouble with refueling or rough engine idling.
Electronically modulated air suspension: Do not spray a jet
of high−pressure water at the air suspension unit, especially
the air spring, at an extremely close range. This may damage
the air suspension.
Plastic wheel ornaments: The plastic wheel ornaments are
damaged easily by organic substances. If any organic
substance splash an ornament, be sure to wash them off with
water and check if the ornament is damaged.
Aluminum wheels: Use only a mild soap or neutral detergent.
Plastic bumpers and side moldings: Wash carefully. Do not
scrub with abrasive cleaners. The bumper and side molding
faces are soft.
Exterior lights: Wash carefully. Do not use organic
substances or scrub them with a hard brush. This may damage
the surfaces of the lights.
Road tar: Remove with turpentine or cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces.
3. Rinse thoroughly — dried soap can cause streaking. In hot
weather you may need to rinse each section right after you
wash it.
4. To prevent water spots, dry the vehicle using a clean soft
cotton towel. Do not rub or press hard — you might scratch the
paint.
NOTICE
 Do not use organic substances (gasoline, kerosene,
benzine or strong solvents), which may be toxic or
cause damage.
 Do not scrub any part of the vehicle with a hard brush,
which may cause damage.
Automatic car wash
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the antenna, make sure it is
removed before driving your vehicle through an
automatic car wash.
 When your vehicle goes through an automatic car
wash, make sure the power back door system is off.
Your vehicle may be washed in an automatic car wash, but
remember that the paint can be scratched by some types of
brushes, unfiltered washing water, or the washing process
itself. Scratching reduces paint durability and gloss, especially
on darker colors. The manager of the car wash should be able
to advise you whether the process is safe for the paint on your
vehicle.