spare tire TOYOTA SUPRA 1996 Owners Manual

11 4
Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver's field
of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turn-
ing, and impair the driver's control
of the vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond
the vehicle capacity weight speci-
fied in Part 8.
If using a roof luggage carrier onsport roofs, avoid prolonged driv-
ing on rough roads with heavy items on the roof luggage carrier.
Some Toyotas are equipped with a limit-
ed-slip differential. If one rear wheel be-
gins 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 Toyota dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or re-
sult in serious injury.
Use only a spare tire of the same size, construction and load capacity
as the original tires on your Toyotabecause damage to the limited-slip differential could possibly occurwith another tire type.
NOTICE
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the in-
strument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
This is the primary identification number
for your T oyota. It is used in registering the
ownership of your vehicle.
Limited-slip differential
Your Toyota's identification

128
Compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is designed for
temporary emergency use only.
The compact spare tire is identified by the
distinctive wheel design and color and
special wording TEMPORARY USE
ONLYº molded into the side wall of the tire.
The standard tire should be repaired and replaced as soon as possible.
To keep the compact spare tire notice-
able, do not hide the wheel by a wheel cover or such.
The compact spare tire saves space in your luggage compartment, and its lighter
weight helps to i mprove fuel economy and
permits easier installation in case of a flattire. The compact spare
tire can be used many
times, if necessary. It has tread life of up
to 4800 km (3000 miles) depending on
road conditions and your driving habits.
When tread wear indicators appear on the
tire, replace the tire.
See also the tire section in Chapter 7-2 for
details on the tread wear indicators and other service information.
The compact spare tire was de-
signed especially for your Toyota. Do not use it on any other vehicle.
Do not exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
when driving with the compact spare tire. CAUTION
!
NOTICE
Your ground clearance is reduced when the compact spare tire is
installed so avoid driving overobstacles and drive slowly on rough, unpaved roads and speedbumps. Also, do not attempt to go through an automatic car wash asthe vehicle may get caught, resulting
in damage.
1. Get the wheel nut wrench, jack, jack
handle and spare tire.
To prepare yourself for an emergency, you should familiarize yourself with the
use of the jack, each of the tools and their storage locations.
ÐRequired tools and spare tire

129
To remove the jack, loosen the bolt and re- move it.
When storing the jack, secure it by follow-
ing removal step in reverse order to pre-
vent it from flying forward during a colli-
sion or sudden braking.To remove the spare tire:
1. Remove the spare tire cover.
2. Loosen the bolt and remove it.
When storing the spare tire, put it in place with the outer side of the wheel facing up. Then secure the tire by repeating the
above removal steps in reverse order to
prevent it from flying forward during a col-
lision or sudden braking.2. Block the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the flat tire to keep the vehicle from
rolling when it is jacked up. When blocking the wheel, place a wheel
block from the front for the front wheels or
from the rear for the rear wheels.
ÐBlocking the wheel

131
6. After making sure that no one is in
the vehicle, raise it high enough so
that the spare tire can be installed.
Remember you will need more ground
clearance when putting on the spare tirethan when removing the flat tire.
To raise the vehicle, insert the jack handle
into the jack (it is a loose fit) and turn it
clockwise. As the jack touches the vehicle
and begins to lift, double-check that it is
properly positioned.
Never get under the vehicle when it is supported by the jack alone. CAUTION
!
7. Remove the wheel nuts and change tires.
Lift the flat tire straight off and put it aside.
Roll the spare wheel into position and
align the holes in the
wheel with the bolts.
Then lift up the wheel and get at least thetop bolt started through its hole. Wigglethe tire and press it back over the other bolts.Before putting on wheels, remove any
corrosion on the mounting surfaces with a
wire brush or such. Installation of wheels
without good metal-to-metal contact at
the mounting surface can cause wheel
nuts to loosen and eventually cause a
wheel to come off while driving. Therefore
after the first 1600 km (1000 miles), check
to see that the wheel nuts are tight.
ÐRaising your vehicle ÐChanging wheels

133
11. Check the air pressure of the re-
placed tire.
Adjust
the air pressure to the specification
designated in Part 8. If the pressure is
lower, drive slowly to the nearest service station and fill to the correct pressure.
Do not forget to reinstall the tire inflation valve cap as dirt and moisture could get into the valve core and possibly cause air
leakage. If the cap is missing, have a new
one put on as soon as possible. 12. Restow all the tools, jack and flat
tire securely.
As soon as possible after changing
wheels, tighten the wheel nuts to thetorque specified in Part 8 with a torque wrench, have a technician repair the flat tire and replace the spare tire with it.
Before driving, make sure all the
tools, jack and flat tire are securely in place in their storage location to
reduce the possibility of personal
injury during a collision or suddenbraking. CAUTION
!
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your T
oyota deal-
er or a commercial tow truck service. Proper equipment will help ensure that your vehicle is not damaged while being
towed. Commercial operators are gener-
ally aware of the state/provincial and local
laws pertaining to towing.
Your vehicle can be damaged if it is towed
incorrectly. Although most operatorsknow the correct procedure, it is possible
to make a mistake. To avoid damage to your vehicle, make sure the following few
precautions are observed. If necessary,
show this page to the tow truck driver.
TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
(a) Using flat bed truck
Toyota recommends this as the best method for your vehicle.
If your vehicle needs to be towedÐ
ÐAfter changing wheels

157
Check the fluid level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add automatic transmis-
sion fluid DEXRON)
-II or -III.
If the vehicle has been driven around 80
km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a little more
in frigid temperatures), the fluid is hot(60 C ' 80 C or 140 F ' 175 F). You
may also check the level when the fluid is
cold (about room temperature, 10 C '
30 C or 50 F ' 85 F) if the engine has
not been run for about five hours.
a. Clean all dirt from outside of the reser- voir tank.
b. Remove the filler cap by turning it
counterclockwise and wipe the dipstick clean. c. Reinstall the filler cap.
d. Remove the filler cap again and look at the fluid level. If the fluid is cold, the level
should be in
the COLDº range on the dip-
stick. Similarity, if it is hot, the fluid level
should be in the ``HOTº range. If the level
is at the low side of either range, add auto-
matic transmission fluid DEXRON )
-II or
-III to bring the level within the range.
e. After replacing the filler cap, visually check the steering box case, vane pump
and hose connections for leaks ordamage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so be
careful not to burn yourself.!
Avoid overfilling, or the power steering could be damaged.
NOTICE
Keep your tire pressures at the proper level.
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire sizes and the vehicle capacity weightare also given in Part 8. They are also on the tire pressure label as shown.
You should check the tire pressures every
two weeks, or at least once a month. And
don't forget the spare!
Incorrect tire pressure can reduce tire
life and make your vehicle less safe to drive.
Checking power steering fluid
Checking tire pressure

158Low tire pressure results in excessive
wear, poor handling, reduced fuel econo-
my, and the possibility of blowouts fromoverheated tires. Also, low tire pressure
can cause poor sealing of the tire bead. If
the tire pressure is excessively low, there
is the possibility of wheel deformation and/or tire separation.
High tire pressure produces a harsh ride,
handling problems, excessive wear at the center of the tire tread, and a greater
pos-
sibility of tire damage from road hazards.
If a tire frequently needs refilling, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
The following instructions for check-
ing tire pressure should be observed: The pressure should be checked
only when the tires are cold. If your
vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been driven for mo-
re than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you willget an accurate cold tire pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of a tire can be mis-
leading. Besides, tire pressures that
are even just a few pounds off can de-
grade handling and ride.
Take special care when adding air
to the compact spare tire. The small-
er tire size can gain pressure very
quickly. Add compressed air in small
quantities and check the pressure
often until it reaches the specifiedpressure.
Do not bleed or reduce tire pres-sure after driving. It is normal for the
tire pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacityweight. The passenger and luggage
weight should be located so that the
vehicle is balanced.
Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation
valve caps. Without the valve caps,
dirt or moisture could get into the valve
core and cause air leakage. If the capshave been lost, have new ones put onas soon as possible.
CHECKING YOUR TIRES Check the tire tread for the tread wear
indicators. If the indicators show, re-
place the tires.
The tires on your Toyota have built-in tread wear indicators to help you know
when the tires need replacement. When
the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06 in.)
or less, the indicators will appear. If you
can see the indicators in two or more adja-
cent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
The lower the tread, the higher the risk of skidding.
Checking and replacing tires

159
Your Supra has been fitted with specially
developed
tires which provide exceptional
dynamic performance under general road
conditions. However, you may also notice
that your tires wear more rapidly than standard tires as a result of their superiorperformance. The effectiveness of snow tires is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm(0.16 in.).
Check the tires regularly for damage
such as cuts, splits and cracks. If anydamage is found, consult with a tech-
nician and have the tire repaired or re- placed. Even if the damage does not appear seri-
ous, a qualified technician should ex-
amine the damage. Objects which havepenetrated the tire may have caused in- ternal damage.
Any tires which are over six years old
must be checked by a qualified techni-
cian even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires
stored for future use. REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use only the
same size and construction as origi-
nally installed and with the same or
greater load capacity.
Using
any other size or type of tire may se-
riously affect handling, ride, speedome-
ter/odometer calibration, ground clear-
ance, and clearance between the body
and tires or snow chains.
CAUTION
Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
bias-ply tires on your vehicle. It can cause dangerous handling charac-
teristics, resulting in loss of control.!
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at least both of the front or rear tires be
replaced at a time as a set.
See If you have a flat tireº in Part 4 for tire
change procedure.
When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Wheels can get out
of balance with regular use and should
therefore be balanced occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the air
valve should also be replaced with a
new one.
Do not perform rotation of the tires,
from front to rear or from left to right,
or using the compact spare tire. Per-forming such tire rotation may result
in the tires interfering with the body or
in uneven wear of the tires, so that
steerability of the vehicle is impaired.
Tires with turning direction indicatorÐ
The tire is a uni-directional type and can-not be used for tire rotation. Using the tire
on the opposite side to the designated
side will impair the tire performance. The compact spare tireÐ
The tire is designed for temporary use
only and cannot be used for tire rotation.
Rotating tires

160WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR CHAINS
Snow tires or chains are recom-
mended when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional tires
provide better traction than snow tires. SNOW TIRE SELECTION
If you need snow tires, select tires of
the same size, construction and loadcapacity as the original tires on your
Toyota.
Do not use tires other than those men-
tioned above. Do not install studded tires
without first checking local regulations for
possible restrictions.
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.
When storing removed tires, you should
store them in a cool dry place.
Mark the direction of rotation and be sure to install them in the same direction when replacing.

Do not drive with the snow tires
incorrectly inflated.
Never drive over 120 km/h (75
mph) with any type of snow tires.
CAUTION!
TIRE CHAIN SELECTION Use the tire chains of correct size and type. Use SAE Class Sº type radial tire chains
except radial cable chains or V-bar type chains.
Regulations regarding the use of tire
chains vary according to location or
type of r oad, so always check them be-
fore installing chains.
Do not install tire chains on the
255/40ZR17 tires, as this could dam-
age the vehicle body.
NOTICE
CHAIN INSTALLATION
Install the chains on the rear tires as
tightly as possible. Do not use tirechains on the front tires. Retighten
chains after driving 0.5 '1.0 km
(1/4 '1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, care-fully follow the instructions of the chain
manufacturer.
If wheel covers are used, they will be
scratched by the chain band, so removethe covers before putting on the chains.
Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or
the chain manufacturer's recom-
mended speed limit, whichever is
lower.
Drive carefully avoiding bumps,
holes, and sharp turns, which maycause the vehicle to bounce.
Avoid sharp turns or locked-wheel
braking, as use of chains may ad-
versely affect vehicle handling.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to use a tire chain on
the compact spare tire, as it may
result in damage to the vehicle as well as the tire.
NOTICE
Installing snow tires and chains

161
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 damaged wheels, the
tire may slip off the wheel or they may cause loss of handling control. WHEEL SELECTION
When replacing wheels,
care should be
taken to ensure that the wheels are re- placed by ones with the same load ca-
pacity, diameter, rim width, and offset. This must be observed on compact spare
tires, too.
Correct replacement wheels are available
at your Toyota dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may ad-
versely affect handling, wheel and bear-
ing life, brake cooling, speedometer/
odometer calibration, stopping ability,
headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or snow chainclearance to the body and chassis. Replacement
with used wheels is not rec-
ommended as they may have been sub-jected to rough treatment or high mileageand could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened
may have structural damage and there-
fore should not be used. Never use an in-
ner tube in a leaking wheel which is de-
signed for a tubeless tire.
After driving your vehicle the first 1600
km (1000 miles), check that the wheel
nuts are tight.
If you have repaired or changed your
tires, check that the wheel nuts are still
tight after driving 1600 km (1000miles).
When using tire chains, be careful not
to damage the aluminum wheels.
Use only the Toyota wheel nuts and
wrench designed for your aluminumwheels.
When balancing your wheels, use only
Toyota balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer.
As with any wheel, periodically checkyour aluminum wheels for damage. If
damaged, replace immediately.
Replacing wheels
Aluminum wheel precautions