Checking And Replacing Tires - Toyota 2001 HIGHLANDER Owner's Manual

Checking and replacing tires

Tread wear indicator
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
adjacent grooves, the tire should be re-
placed. The lower the tread, the higher
the risk of skidding.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.).
'01 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0106)
Check the tires regularly for damage
such as cuts, splits and cracks. If any
damage is found, consult with a techni-
cian and have the tire repaired or re-
placed.
Even if the damage does not appear seri-
ous, a qualified technician should examine
the damage. Objects which have pene-
trated the tire may have caused internal
damage.
Any tires which are over 6 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
Two–wheel drive models—When replac-
ing a tire, use only the same size and
construction as originally installed and
with the same or greater load capacity.
Four–wheel drive models—When replac-
ing tires, make sure all the tires are the
same brand. Only use the same size
and construction as the originally
installed tires, with the same or greater
load capacity.
2001 MY HIGHLANDER_U (OM48432U)
Using any other size or type of tire may
seriously affect handling, ride, speedome-
ter/odometer calibration, ground clearance,
and clearance between the body and tires
or snow chains.
CAUTION
D
Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
bias–ply tires on your vehicle. It
can cause dangerous handling char-
acteristics, resulting in loss of con-
trol.
D
Do not use tire or wheels other
than the manufacturer's
mended size.
NOTICE
Four–wheel drive models:
Do not use tires of different brands,
sizes and constructions. This may
damage the drive system.
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at
least both front or rear tires be re-
placed as a set.
See "If you have a flat tire" on page 214
in Section 4 for tire change procedure.
recom-
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