1996 Lexus LX 450 Owners Manual - Page 229

CHASSIS Tire chain selection Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to location or type of road. Always check the local regulations before installing chains. Use SAE Class "S" type radial tire chains, with the exception of radial cable chains or V-bar type chains. REPLACING WHEELS 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, a tire may slip off a wheel or they may cause loss of handling control. Replacement with used wheels is not recommended as they may have been subjected to rough treatment or high mileage and could fail without warning. Also, bent wheels which have been straightened may have hidden structural damage and therefore should not be used. Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tubeless tire. Chain installation Install the chains on the rear tires as tightly as possible. Do not use tire chains on the front tires. Retighten chains after driving 0.5 - 1.0 km (1/4 - 1/2 mile). When installing chains on your tires, carefully follow the instructions of the chain manufacturer. If wheel covers are used, they will be scratched by the chain band, so remove the covers before putting on the chains. Wheel selection When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim width, and offset. Correct replacement wheels are available at your Lexus dealer. A wheel of a different size or type may adversely affect handling, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or snow chain clearance to the body and chassis. ! CAUTION S Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or the chain manufacturer's recommended speed limit, whichever is lower. S Drive carefully avoiding bumps, holes, and sharp turns, which may cause the vehicle to bounce. S Avoid sharp turns or locked-wheel braking, as use of chains may adversely affect vehicle handling. 218