tires TOYOTA PRIUS 2022 Owner's Guide

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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 t o
expose the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage.
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or c annot 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 press ure warning valve and transmitt er is not reg-
istered, the tire pressure warni ng system will not work properly. A f t e r d r i v -
ing for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blink s for 1
minute and stays on to indi cate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified techni cian even
if it has seldom or never been u sed 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 chec k tire inflation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of t he replacement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axl e 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. 6 7 4 )
BTO62EP049

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5336-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway
driving under dry conditions. Si nce summer tires do not have th e same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for
driving on snow-covered or icy ro ads. 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 sno w and to
be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as fo r use
year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate tra ction
performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Al so, all
season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performanc e com-
pared with summer tires in highway driving.
●Snow tires
For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend us ing
snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same si ze, con-
struction and load capacity as t he originally installed tires. Since your
vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow
tires also have radial construct ion. Do not install studded tires without
first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Sno w tires
should be install ed on all wheels. ( P. 425)
■If the tread on snow tires wea rs down below 0.16 in. (4 mm)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
■Low profile tires (vehicl es with 215/45R17 tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire gr ip 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 approp riate 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 no t 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 replac ed with a tire that is not of the specif ied size.
• Tire chains etc . are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported ru n-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is instal led.
• 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 sp ecified
level.
• If wheel without the tire pressure warning valve and transmitt er is
used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmi tters 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 stat ion, large
display, airport or other facilit y 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 s tart 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 initializ ation after adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure.
Also, make sure the tires are co ld before carrying out initialization or tire
inflation pressure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during ini tialization,
it is not necessary to press the reset swit ch 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 cond uct initialization again.

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5356-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has fai led
Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following
cases, the settings have not been record ed and the system will not oper-
ate properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pre ssure settings
are unsuccessful, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
●When operating the initializatio n of the system, the tire pressure warning
light does not flash 3 times an d the setting message does not a ppear on
the multi-information display.
●After driving for a certain period of time since the initializa tion has been
completed, the warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute.
WARNING
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precaut ions 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 accide nt
resulting in death o r serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different ma kes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other th an those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted o r 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 kn ow how they were used previously.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not initialize the tire press ure warning system without firs t adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to t he specified level. Otherwise, the tire pres-
sure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation p ressure is
low, or it may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actu ally 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 val ve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves a nd the
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps othe r than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmi t-
ters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sea lant 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 replac ing the
tire. ( P. 530)
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when drivi ng on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the t ires. In addition, driving on ro ugh roads
may cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicl e’s
wheels and body.
■Low profile tires (vehicl es with 215/45R17 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the wh eel
when receiving impact from the ro ad surface. Therefore pay attention to
the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are und er-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 drivi ng
Do not continue driving, or your t ires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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5396-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours or has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold tire
inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based o nly on its appear-
ance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as
heat is generated in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pre ssure after
driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehi cle is
balanced.
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly in flated, the following conditions may occur
which could lead to an accident resulting in death or serious i njury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road h azards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusti ng tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
If a valve cap is not installed , dirt or moisture may get into the valve and
cause an air leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressu re.

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Wheels
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are
equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim wid th and
inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Toyota does not recommend using the following:
● Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that hav e been straightened
● Use only Toyota wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changi ng your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight afte r driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.
● Use only Toyota genuine balance we ights or equivalent and a plas-
tic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or
cause a loss of handling control.
Wheel selection
Aluminum wheel precautions

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6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced b y your
Toyota dealer or other qualified service sh op. In addition, make sure to
purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
Toyota dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle .
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work prop erly
with non-genuine wheels.

5857-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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7
When trouble arises
WARNING
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
■When towing the vehicle
2WD models
AWD models
Be sure to transport the vehicle with the
front wheels raised or with all four wheels
raised off the ground. If the vehicle is
towed with the front wheels contacting
the ground, the drivetrain and related
parts may be damaged or electricity gen-
erated by the operation of the motor may
cause a fire to occur depending on the
nature of the damage or malfunction.
Be sure to transport the vehicle with all
four wheels raised off the ground. If the
vehicle is towed with the tires contacting
the ground, the drivetrain or related parts
may be damaged, the vehicle may fly off
the truck, or electricity generated by the
operation of the motor may cause a fire
to occur depending on the nature of the
damage or malfunction.

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7
When trouble arises
7-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you think something is wrong
●Fluid leaks un der the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning a fter use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● High coolant temperature warni ng light flashes or comes on
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the hybrid system
● Engine missing, stumb ling or running roughly
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one s ide when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost touch es
the floor
If you notice any of the followi ng symptoms, your vehicle proba -
bly needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Audible symptoms
Operational symptoms