1998 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 171

Rotating tires CAUTION 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. 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. D Do not use tires or wheels other than the manufacturer's mended size. recom- NOTICE 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 of the front or rear tires be replaced at a time as a set. See "If you have a flat tire" in Part 5 for tire change procedure. To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Toyota recommends that you rotate your tires approximately every 12000 km (7500 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 5 for tire change procedure. When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect tire pressure, improper wheel alignment, out- of- balance wheels, or severe braking. 163