1996 Toyota Land Cruiser Owners Manual - Page 168

Rotating tires Check the tires regularly for damage such as cuts, splits and cracks. If any damage is found, consult with a technician and have the tire repaired or replaced. Even if the damage does not appear serious, a qualified technician should examine the damage. Objects which have penetrated the tire may have caused internal damage. Any tires which are over six years old must be checked by a qualified technician 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 originally installed and with the same or greater load capacity. Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect handling, ride, speedometer/odometer calibration, ground clearance, and clearance between the body and tires or snow chains. ! CAUTION S Do not mix radial, bias belted, or bias-ply tires on your vehicle. It can cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of control. S Do not use tires or wheels other than the manufacturer's recommended size. 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 tire" 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. To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Toyota recommends that you rotate your tires approximately every 5000 km (3000 miles). However, the most appropriate timing for tire rotation may vary according to your driving habits and road surface conditions. See "If you have a flat tire" in Part 4 for tire change procedure. When rotating tires, check for even wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect tire pressure, improper wheel alignment, out-of-balance wheels, or severe braking. 162