Do-it-yourself maintenance -> Tires for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Fourth Generation (2016-2022)

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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 (if equipped) condition and pressure if not  
rotated.  
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2
3
New tread  
Worn tread  
Treadwear indicator  
The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a “TWI” or “” mark,  
etc., molded into the sidewall of each tire.  
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.  
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance  
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 same interval as tire inspection.  
Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure warning system after tire rota-  
tion.  
Vehicles without full-size spare Vehicles with full-size spare  
tire  
tire  
Front  
Front  
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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 warning light. (P. 583)  
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  
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. 523)  
Initializing the tire pressure warning system  
The tire pressure warning system must be initialized when the  
tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing trav-  
elling speed or load weight.  
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  
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Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the power switch off.  
Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.  
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Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation  
pressure level. (P. 660)  
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.  
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4
Turn the power switch to ON mode.  
Switch the multi-information display to the  
screen.  
(P. 149)  
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6
7
Press  
(Vehicle Settings)”, and then press  
Press or of the meter control switches, select “Mainte-  
nance System”, and then press  
or  
of the meter control switches, select “  
.
.
Press  
or  
of the meter control switches, select “TPMS”,  
.
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and then press  
Press and hold  
8
9
.
When initialization com-  
pletes, a message is dis-  
played  
on  
the  
multi-  
information display and the  
tire pressure warning light  
illuminates.  
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.  
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance  
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.  
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.  
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. 666)  
BTO62EP049  
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance  
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. 418)  
If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)  
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.  
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Low profile tires (vehicles with 215/45R17 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.  
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance  
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.  
• When a replacement tire is used, the system may not operate cor-  
rectly due to the structure of the replacement tire.  
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.  
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.  
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is 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 wheel without the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is  
used.  
• 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  
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.  
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 power switch off during initialization,  
it is not necessary to press the reset switch again as initialization will  
restart automatically when the power switch has been turned to 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.  
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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance  
When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed  
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following  
cases, the settings have not been recorded and the system will not oper-  
ate properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings  
are unsuccessful, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.  
When operating the initialization of the system, the tire pressure warning  
light does not flash 3 times and the setting message does not appear on  
the multi-information display.  
After driving for a certain period of time since the initialization has been  
completed, the warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute.  
Certification for the tire pressure warning system  
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A., Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam,  
Saipan and Puerto Rico  
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For vehicles sold in Canada  
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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 initialize the tire pressure warning system without first adjusting  
the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pres-  
sure 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.  
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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.  
Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not  
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the  
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.  
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. After use of liquid sealant, make sure to replace the tire  
pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replacing the  
tire. (P. 522)  
Driving on rough roads  
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-  
holes.  
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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 215/45R17 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.  
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