Tire Inflation Pressure - Lexus ES 300h Owner's Manual

422
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Tire inflation pressure

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.
Effects of incorrect tire inflation pres-
■
sure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure
may result in the following:
● Reduced fuel economy
Reduced driving comfort and poor han-
●
dling
Reduced tire life due to wear
●
● Reduced safety
Damage to the drivetrain
●
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it
checked by your Lexus dealer.
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 read-
ing.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
●
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly
inflated based only on its appearance.
● It is normal for the tire inflation pressure
to be higher after driving as heat is gen-
erated in the tire. Do not reduce tire infla-
tion pressure after driving.
Passengers and luggage weight should
●
be placed so that the vehicle is balanced.
WARNING
Proper inflation is critical to save tire
■
performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the
following conditions may occur which
could lead to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury:
● Excessive wear
Uneven wear
●
Poor handling
●
● Possibility of blowouts resulting from
overheated tires
● Air leaking from between tire and
wheel
Wheel deformation and/or tire dam-
●
age
Greater possibility of tire damage
●
while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the
road, etc.)
NOTICE
■ When inspecting and adjusting tire
inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or mois-
ture may get into the valve and cause an
air leak, resulting in decreased tire infla-
tion pressure.