Get Maintenance and care -> Tires Guide for Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

342

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Tires

Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-

ules and treadwear.

Checking tires

Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check

the tires for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the

tread.

Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.

New tread

1

Worn tread

2

Treadwear indicator

3

The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a “TWI” or “Δ” mark,

etc., molded into the sidewall of each tire.

Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.

Tire rotation

Rotate the tires in the order

shown.

To equalize tire wear and extend

tire life, Toyota recommends that

tire rotation is carried out at the

Front

same interval as tire inspection.

Do not fail to initialize the tire pres-

sure warning system after tire rota-

tion.

343

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Tire pressure warning system

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses

tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-

tion pressure before serious problems arise.

● If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is

warned by a screen display and a warning light. (→P. 391)

● The tire pressure detected by the

tire pressure warning system can

be displayed on the multi-informa-

tion display.

◆ Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters

When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and

transmitters must also be installed.

When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are

installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure

warning computer and the tire pressure warning system must be

initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID

codes registered by your Toyota dealer. (→P. 345)

6

◆ Initializing the tire pressure warning system

■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-

lowing circumstances:

● When changing the tire size.

● When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when chang-

ing traveling speed or load weight.

● When rotating the tires.

When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire

inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system

1

Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the engine switch off.

Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.

2

Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation

pressure level. (→P. 431)

Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire infla-

tion pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate

based on this pressure level.

3

Turn the engine switch to IGNITION ON mode.

4

Press and hold the tire pres-

sure warning reset switch

until the tire pressure warn-

ing light blinks slowly 3 times.

“- -” will be displayed for infla-

tion pressure of each tire on

the multi-information display

while the tire pressure warning

system determines the posi-

tion of each tire.

When position of each tire is

determined, the inflation pres-

sure of each tire will be dis-

played on the multi-information

display.

5

Wait for a few minutes with the engine switch in IGNITION ON

mode and then turn the engine switch off.

345

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

◆ Registering ID codes

The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a

unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and

transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the ID code

registered by your Toyota dealer.

■When to replace your vehicle’s tires

Tires should be replaced if:

●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.

●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to

expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage

●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size

or location of a cut or other damage

If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.

■Replacing tires and wheels

If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not reg-

istered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driv-

ing for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1

minute and stays on to indicate a system malfunction.

■Tire life

Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even

if it has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.

6

■Routine tire inflation pressure checks

The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation

pressure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of

your routine of daily vehicle checks.

346

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■Low profile tires (18-inch tires)

Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip perfor-

mance will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to

standard tires. Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or

icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather

conditions.

■Maximum load of tire

Check that the maximum load of the replacement 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.

For the GAWR, see the Certification

Label. For the maximum load of the tire,

see the load limit at maximum cold tire

inflation pressure mentioned on the

sidewall of the tire. (→P. 436)

■Tire types

●Summer tires

Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway

driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same

traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for

driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered

roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When install-

ing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.

●All season tires

All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to

be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use

year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction

performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all

season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance com-

pared with summer tires in highway driving.

●Snow tires

For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using

snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, con-

struction and load capacity as the originally installed tires. Since your

vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow

tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without

first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires

should be installed on all wheels. (→P. 255)

347

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■Initializing the tire pressure warning system

Initialize the system with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the speci-

fied level.

■If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)

The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.

■If you press the tire pressure warning reset switch accidentally

If initialization is performed, adjust the tire inflation pressure to the speci-

fied level and initialize the tire pressure warning system again.

■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not oper-

ate properly

●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate

properly.

• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.

• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equip-

ment) tire.

• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.

• Tire chains etc. are equipped.

• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.

• If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, particularly around the

wheels or wheel housings.

• If the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified

level.

• If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-

ters are used.

6

• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is

not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.

●Performance may be affected in the following situations.

• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large

display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or

electrical noise

• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or

other wireless communication device

Vehicles with a tire inflation pressure display function: If tire position

information is not correctly displayed due to the radio wave conditions,

the display may be corrected by driving and changing the radio wave

conditions.

●When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go

off could be extended.

●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has

burst, the warning may not function.

348

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■The initialization operation

●Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pres-

sure.

Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire

inflation pressure adjustment.

●If you have accidentally turned the engine switch to off during initializa-

tion, it is not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization

will restart automatically when the engine switch has been turned to

IGNITION ON mode for the next time.

●If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization is not neces-

sary, adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the

tires are cold, and conduct initialization again.

●While the position of each tire is being determined and the inflation pres-

sures are not being displayed on the multi-information display, if the

inflation pressure of a tire drops, the tire pressure warning light will come

on.

■Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system

The warning of the tire pressure warning system will change in accor-

dance with the conditions under which it was initialized. For this reason,

the system may give a warning even if the tire pressure does not reach a

low enough level, or if the pressure is higher than the pressure that was

adjusted to when the system was initialized.

■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed

Initialization may take longer to complete if the vehicle is driven on an

unpaved road. When performing initialization, drive on a paved road if

possible. Depending on the driving environment and condition of the tires,

initialization will be completed in approximately 10 minutes. If initialization

is not complete after driving approximately 10 minutes, continue driving

for a while.

If the inflation pressure of each tire is not displayed after driving for

approximately 1 hour, perform the following procedure.

●Park the vehicle in a safe place for approximately 20 minutes. Then

drive straight (with occasional left and right turns) at approximately 25

mph (40 km/h) or more for approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

349

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

However, in the following situations, the tire inflation pressure will not be

recorded and the system will not operate properly. Perform initialization

again.

●When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure

warning light does not blink 3 times.

●After performing initialization, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1

minute then stays on while driving.

If the inflation pressure of each tire is still not displayed, have the vehicle

inspected by your Toyota dealer.

■Tire pressure warning system certification

FCC ID: HYQ14FBA

FCC ID: HYQ23AAP

FCC ID: HYQ23AAN

FCC ID: HYQ23AAC

FCC ID: PAXPMVC015

FCC ID: PAXPMVC010

 For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

NOTE:

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject

to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful

interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,

including interference that may cause undesired operation.

6

FCC WARNING:

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsi-

ble for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equip-

ment.

 For vehicles sold in Canada

NOTE:

This device complies with Industry Canada's licence-exempt RSSs.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause interference; and

(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that

may cause undesired operation of the device.

350

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

WARNING

■When inspecting or replacing tires

Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.

Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train as well as

dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident

resulting in death or serious injury.

●Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.

Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.

●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.

●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply

tires).

●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.

●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.

Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.

■When initializing the tire pressure warning system

Do not operate the tire pressure warning reset switch without first

adjusting the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the

tire pressure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation

pressure is low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is

actually normal.

351

6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

NOTICE

■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,

transmitters and tire valve caps

●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning

valves and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pres-

sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled

correctly.

●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than

those specified. The cap may become stuck.

■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-

ters

When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning

valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is

used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon

as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and

transmitter when replacing the tire. (→P. 343)

■Driving on rough roads

Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-

holes.

These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing

the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads

may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s

wheels and body.

6

■Low profile tires (18-inch tires)

Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel

when sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention

to the following:

●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated,

they may be damaged more severely.

●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Fail-

ure to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.

■If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving

Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

Maintenance and care -> Tires for Your Toyota Avalon 4 Door Fourth Generation (2013-2018)

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