flat tire TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2012 User Guide

421 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 dan-
gerous 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.
NOTICE
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
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.
If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

422
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Tire inflation pressure
Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
Reduced fuel efficiency
Reduced driving comfort and tire life
Reduced safety
Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating, have it checked by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Make sure to maintain the proper tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation
pressure should be checked at least once per month. However,
Toyota recommends that tire inflation pressure be checked once
every two weeks. (P. 550)

423 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire
inflation pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation
pressure that is even just a few pounds off can affect ride quality and
handling.
Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire infla-
tion pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is
balanced.

424 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. Otherwise, the following conditions may
occur and result in an accident causing death or serious injury:
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire valve caps back on.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause
air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps are lost, replace
them as soon as possible.

5When trouble arises
459
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
5-1. Essential information
Emergency flashers .......... 460
If your vehicle needs
to be towed ..................... 461
If you think something is
wrong .............................. 468
5-2. Steps to take
in an emergency
If a warning light turns
on or a warning
buzzer sounds ................ 469
If you have a flat tire
(vehicles with
spare tire) ....................... 482
If you have a flat tire
(vehicles without
a spare tire) .................... 494
If the hybrid system
will not start..................... 516
If you lose your keys ......... 518
If the electronic key does not
operate properly ............. 519
If the 12-volt battery is
discharged ...................... 522
If your vehicle
overheats ........................ 528
If the vehicle becomes
stuck ............................... 534
If your vehicle has
to be stopped in
an emergency ................. 536

468
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional as
soon as possible.
Visible symptoms
Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
High engine coolant temperature warning light flashes or
comes on
Audible symptoms
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
Operational symptoms
Engine missing, stumbling or running roughly
Appreciable loss of power
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

482
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
If you have a flat tire (vehicles with spare tire)
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire provided.
Before jacking up the vehicle
Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
Set the parking brake.
Shift the shift position to P.
Stop the hybrid system.
Turn on the emergency flashers.
Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Center deck
board
Jack
Spare tir e Jack handle
Towing eyelet
Wheel nut
wrenchLeft side
deck board
Center auxiliary
box

484 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Replacing a flat tire
Chock the tires.
For vehicles with 16 inch wheels,
remove the wheel ornament
using the wrench.
To prevent damage, cover the tip
of the wrench with a rag.
STEP 1
Flat tireWheel chock positions
FrontLeft-hand side Behind the rear right-hand side tire
Right-hand side Behind the rear left-hand side tire
RearLeft-hand side In front of the front right-hand side tire
Right-hand side In front of the front left-hand side tire
STEP 2

5
487 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)Firmly tighten each wheel nut
two or three times in the order
shown in the illustration.
Tightening torque:
103 N•m (10.5 kgf•m, 76 ft•lbf)
For vehicles with 16 inch wheels,
reinstall the wheel ornament.
*
Align the cutout of the wheel
ornament with the valve stem as
shown.
*: The wheel ornament cannot be
installed on the compact spare
tire.
Stow the flat tire, tire jack and all tools.
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

488 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
The compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is identified by the label “TEMPORARY USE
ONLY” on the tire sidewall.
Use the compact spare tire temporarily, and only in an emergency.
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure of the compact spare tire.
(P. 550)
If you have a flat front tire on a road covered with snow or ice
Install the compact spare tire on one of the rear wheels of the vehicle. Per-
form the following steps and fit tire chains to the front tires:
Replace a rear tire with the compact spare tire.
Replace the flat front tire with the tire removed from the rear of the
vehicle.
Fit tire chains to the front tires.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3