tires LEXUS RX450h 2015 Owner's Manual

6714-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and trans-
mitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning va lves and transmitters are installed,
new tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes must be regis-
tered in the tire pressure warning co mputer and the tire pressure warning
system must be initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmit-
ter ID codes registered by your Lexus dealer. (  P. 6 7 3 )
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following
circumstances:
● When rotating the tires
● When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing
travelling speed or load weight
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning sy stem is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.■ The tire pressure warning system
Your Lexus is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and tr ansmitters to detec t low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise. (  P. 7 3 6 )

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Maintenance and care Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a unique
ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, it
is necessary to register the ID code. Ha ve the ID code registered by your
Lexus dealer. ■
When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if: ●
You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the
fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage.●
A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with your Lexus dealer.■
Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warn ing valve and transmitter is not registered,
the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for about 20
minutes, the tire pressure warning light blin ks for 1 minute and stays on to indicate a
system malfunction.■
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it has sel-
dom or never been used or damage is not obvious.■
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.■
Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pressure
checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily
vehicle checks.

6744-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■
Maximum load of tire
Check that the number given by dividing the maximum load by 1.10 of the replace-
ment tire is greater than 1 /2 of the Gr oss Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either
the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.
■
Tire types
1 Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving
under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction perfor-
mance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered
or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires
is recommended. When 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 ade-
quate for driving in most winter conditions , as well as for use year round. All sea-
son tires, however, do not have adequa te traction performance compared with
snow tires in heavy or loos e snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration
and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
3Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or ic y roads, we recommend using snow tires.
If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capac-
ity as the originally installed tires. 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.
Snow tires should be installed on all wheels. (  P. 3 0 2 )For the GAWR, see the Certification Label.
For the maximum load of the tire, see the load
limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure
mentioned on the sidewall of the tire.
(
 P. 8 1 3 )

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Maintenance and care ■
The initialization operation ●
Make sure to carry out initialization af ter 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 “POWER ” switch off during initialization, it is
not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will restart auto-
matically when the “POWER” switch has been turned to ON mode for the next
time.●
If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not necessary,
adjust the tire inflation pressure to th e specified level when the tires are cold,
and conduct initialization again.■
When the 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 your Lexus dealer. ●
When operating the tire pressure warnin g reset switch, the tire pressure warn-
ing light does not blink 3 times. ●
After carrying out the initialization proc edure, the tire pressure warning light
blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.

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Maintenance and care CAUTION■
Tire pressure warning system operation
The tire pressure warning system may not provide warning immediately if a tire
bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.■
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 we ll as dangerous handling characteristics,
which may lead to an accident resu lting in death or serious injury.●
Do not mix tires of different makes, mode ls or tread patterns. Also, do not mix
tires of remarkably different treadwear.●
Do not use tire sizes other th an 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.

6784-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE■
Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, ti re pressure warning valves, transmitters
and tire valve caps ●
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitter, contact your Lexus dealer as the tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters may be damage d if not handled correctly.●
When replacing tire valve caps, do not us e 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 seal ants, the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact your Lexus
dealer or other qualified service shop as so on as possible. Make sure to replace the
tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. (  P. 6 7 1 )■
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, driv ing 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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Maintenance and care ■
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 your Lexus dealer.■
Instructions for checking tire 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 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire inflation pressure
reading.●
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mislea ding. 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.

6824-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 co uld 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.

6834-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care Wheels
■
When replacing wheels
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. 6 7 1 )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 capaci ty, diameter, rim
width, and inset*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer. *: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Lexus does not recommen d 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 changi ng your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● 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.

6844-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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 ●
Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your Lexus dealer or other
qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your tire pressure
warning valves and transmitters at your Lexus dealer.●
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.