Get Maintenance and care -> Tires Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2015)

4-3. Do-it-yourself m aintenanc e

Tires

Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-

ules and treadwear.

■ Checking tires

New tread

Treadwear indicator

Worn tread

The location of treadwear

indicators is shown by the

“TWI” or “” marks, etc.,

molded on the sidewall of

ITO43P115

each tire.

Check spare tire condition

and pressure if not rotated.

■ Tire rotation

4

Rotate the tires in the order

shown.

To equalize tire wear and

extend tire life, Toyota recom-

mends that tire rotation is

carried out at the same inter-

val as tire inspection.

Front

Do not fail to initialize the tire

pressure warning system

after tire rotation.

437

4-3. 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 inflation pressure before serious problems arise.

(P. 499)

The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure

warning valve and transmitter.

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 warn-

ing computer and the tire pressure warning system must be initial-

ized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID codes

registered by your Toyota dealer. (P. 440)

438

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Initializing the tire pressure warning system

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

lowing circumstances:

● When rotating front and rear tires which have different tire infla-

tion pressures

● When changing the tire size

When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current

tire inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.

■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system

STEP

1

Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the “POWER” switch

off.

Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.

STEP

2

Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire infla-

tion pressure level. (P. 569)

4

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

inflation pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will

operate based on this pressure level.

STEP

3

Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.

439

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Press and hold the tire pressure

warning reset switch until the tire

pressure warning light blinks

slowly 3 times.

STEP

4

STEP

5

Wait for a few minutes with the “POWER” switch in ON mode

and then turn the “POWER” switch off.

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.

440

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■When to replace your vehicle’s tires

Tires should be replaced if:

●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

registered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After

driving 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.

4

■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.

■Low profile tires (vehicles with 17-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.

441

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■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. 575)

■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

installing 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

compared 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. 317)

442

4-3. 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.

■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed

Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the follow-

ing cases, the settings have not been recorded and the system will not

operate properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure

settings are unsuccessful, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota

dealer.

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

sure warning light does not blink 3 times.

4

●After carrying out the initialization procedure, the tire pressure warn-

ing light blinks for 1 minute then stays on after driving for 20 minutes.

443

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■Tire pressure warning system certification

For vehicles sold in the U.S.A.

MODEL/FCC IDs:

Transmitter: PAXPMV107J

Receiver: HYQ13BDE

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.

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

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.

444

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

CAUTION

■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

4

Do not operate the tire pressure warning reset switch without first adjust-

ing 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 nor-

mal.

445

4-3. 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. 438)

■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.

■Low profile tires (vehicles with 17-inch tires)

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

when receiving 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 pot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.

Failure to do so can 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.

446

Maintenance and care -> Tires for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2015)

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