2003 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 195

Rotating tires See "If you have a flat tire" on page 145 in Section 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. Installing snow tires and chains WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR CHAINS Snow tires or chains are recommended when driving on snow or ice. On wet or dry roads, conventional tires provide better traction than snow tires. SNOW TIRE SELECTION If you need snow tires, select tires of the size and pressure described below. Tire size 215/70R16 kPa (kgf/cm2 or bar, psi) 180 (1.8, 26) CAUTION Do not include a compact spare tire when rotating the tires. It is designed for temporary use only. To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Toyota recommends that you rotate your tires according to the maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the "Owner's Manual Supplement"). However, the most appropriate timing for tire rotation may vary according to your driving habits and road surface conditions. 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. Make sure all the snow tires are the same brand, construction and load capacity. Do not install studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. 186