2001 Toyota Highlander Owners Manual - Page 257

'01 HIGHLANDER_U (L/O 0106) Checking and replacing tires Tread wear indicator 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 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if damage is not obvious. 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 D Do not mix radial, bias belted, or bias−ply tires on your vehicle. It can cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of control. than the manufacturer's mended size. recom- CHECKING YOUR TIRES Check the tire tread for the tread wear indicators. If the indicators show, replace 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 replaced. 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.). 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 replacing 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 replacing 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) D Do not use tire or wheels other 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 replaced as a set. See "If you have a flat tire" on page 214 in Section 4 for tire change procedure. 257