2003 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 194

If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fabric, or bulges indicating internal damage, the tire should be replaced. If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or location of a cut or other damage, it should be replaced. If you are not sure, consult with your EV service station. If an air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving with a deflated tire. Driving even a short distance can damage a tire beyond repair. Any tires which are over 6 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. For replacing a snow tire, see "Installing snow tires and chains" on page 186. 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. 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. Initial adjustment of the tire pressure warning system is necessary after you have rotated your tires. See "Tire pressure warning system" on page 21 in Section 1-2. CAUTION Observe the following instructions. Otherwise, an accident may occur resulting in death or serious injuries. D Do not mix radial, bias belted, or bias-ply tires on your vehicle, as this may cause dangerous handling characteristics resulting in loss of control. D Do not use tires other than the manufacturer's recommended size, as this may cause dangerous handling characteristics resulting in loss of control. 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 145 in Section 5 for tire change procedure. 185