DO?IT?YOURSELFMAINTENANCE -> Checking and replacing tires for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Fourth Generation (2003-2009)

07 12.25  
Checking and replacing tires  
Incorrect tire inflation pressure may  
waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driv-  
ing, reduce tire life and make your ve-  
hicle less safe to drive.  
If a tire frequently needs refilling,  
have it checked by your Toyota deal-  
er.  
D Wheel deformation and/or tire  
Treadwear indicator  
separation  
D A greater possibility of tire  
damage from road hazards  
High tire pressure (overinfla-  
tion)—  
D Poor handling  
D Excessive wear  
D Uneven wear  
CAUTION  
Keep your tires properly inflated.  
Otherwise, the following condi-  
tions may occur and cause an ac-  
cident resulting in death or seri-  
ous injuries.  
Low tire pressure (underinfla-  
tion)—  
D Excessive wear  
D Uneven wear  
D Poor handling  
D A greater possibility of tire  
damage from road hazards  
CHECKING YOUR TIRES  
Check the tire’s tread for treadwear  
indicators. If the indicators show,  
replace the tires. The location of  
treadwear indicators is shown by  
the “TWI” or “” marks, etc.,  
molded on the sidewall of each  
tire.  
D Possibility of blowouts from an  
overheated tire  
D Poor sealing of the tire bead  
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07 12.25  
The tires on your Toyota have builtin  
treadwear 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 indica-  
tors in two or more adjacent grooves,  
the tire should be replaced. The lower  
the tread, the higher the risk of skid-  
ding.  
The effectiveness of snow tires is  
lost if the tread wears down below  
4 mm (0.16 in.).  
If you have tire damage such as  
cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to  
expose the fabric, or bulges indi-  
cating internal damage, the tire  
should be replaced.  
If air loss occurs while driving, do not  
continue driving. 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 applies also to the spare tire and  
tires stored for future use.  
REPLACING YOUR TIRES  
When replacing a tire, use a tire of  
the same size and construction,  
and the same or greater maximum  
load as the originally installed  
tires. Also, on fourwheel drive  
models, all the tires must be the  
same brand and have the same  
tread patterns.  
Using any other size or type of tire  
may seriously affect handling, ride,  
speedometer/odometer calibration,  
ground clearance, and clearance be-  
tween the body and tires or snow  
chains.  
Check that the maximum load of the  
replaced tire is greater than 1/2 of the  
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR)  
of either the front axle or the rear  
axle, whichever is greater. As for the  
maximum load of the tire, see the load  
limit at maximum cold tire inflation  
pressure mentioned on the sidewall  
of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle  
Weight Ratings (GAWR), see the Cer-  
tification Label.  
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 Toyota dealer.  
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