winter tires TOYOTA PRIUS 2009 2.G Owners Manual

173
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of 12 volt battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.

379
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
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■Tire types
1 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 tire s, 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.
2 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.
3Snow 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 or iginally 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 restriction. Snow tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( P. 173)
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified
level.

382 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
CAUTION
■Tire pressure warning system operation
The tire pressure warning system may not provide warning immediately
if a tire bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.
■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 han-
dling characteristics, which may le ad to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread-
wear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter 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 push the tire pressure warnin g reset switch without first adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the spec ified level. Otherwise, the tire pres-
sure warning light may not come on ev en if the tire inflation pressure is
low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.

503
Alphabetical index
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Tire information
Glossary ............................... 479
Size ...................................... 476
Tire identification number ..... 475
Uniform tire quality grading .. 477
Tires
Chains .................................. 175
Checking .............................. 375
Compact spare tire ............... 437
If you have a flat tire ............. 436
Inflation pressure .................. 468
Information ........................... 473
Pressure warning system ..... 375
Replacing ............................. 436
Rotating tires ........................ 375
Size ...................................... 468
Snow tires............................. 175
Spare tire .............................. 437
Tools......................................... 436
Total load capacity .................. 172
Touch screen ........................... 182
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 178
Emergency towing ................ 413
Trailer towing ........................ 177
Transmission “P” position switch ................ 139
Transmission ........................ 138
Trip information......................... 27
Trip meter................................. 146
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 403
Switch ................................... 142
Wattage ................................ 469
Vanity lights Vanity lights .......................... 327
Wattage ................................ 469
Vanity mirrors .......................... 327
Vehicle identification
number................................... 461
Vehicle load limits ................... 172 Warning buzzers
Brake system ........................423
Open door ............................426
Seat belt reminder .................426
Warning lights Anti-lock brake
system (ABS) ......................425
Brake system ........................423
Charging system .... ...............424
Electric power steering warning light........................425
Low fuel level ........................426
Malfunction indicator lamp ....424
Master warning light ..............427
Open door .............................426
Seat belt reminder light .........426
SRS airbags ..........................424
Tire pressure warning
light .....................................426
Washer Checking ...............................374
Preparing and checking before winter .......................173
Switch....................................156
Washing and waxing ...............342
Weight
Cargo capacity ......................169
Load limits .............................172
Weight ...................................460
Wheels ......................................388
Window glasses ........................76
Window lock switch ...................76
Windows Power windows .......................76
Rear window defogger ..........213
Washer ..................................156
Windshield wipers
Windshield wipers .................156
Winter driving tips ...................173
Wireless remote control key Locking/Unlocking ...................49
Replacing the battery ............392
WMA disc ..................................250
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