2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID tires

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
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 tires, summer tires are inadequate for driv-
ing on snow-covered or icy roads. Fo r 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 perfor-
mance 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.
3 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, construc-
tion 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. 166)
■ Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified
level.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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 fatal accidents or
injury.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or treadwear.
● 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 press the tire pressure warning reset switch without first adjusting 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 normal.

312 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
■ To avoid damaging the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.
■ Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire air pressure, reducing the cush-
ioning ability of the tires. In addition driving on rough roads may cause dam-
age to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.
■ If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
■
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 refilling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■ 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 and 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.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation
pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride and han-
dling.
● Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for
the tire inflation 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.

316 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■Proper inflation is criti cal 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 adjust ing tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
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 have been lost,
replace them as soon as possible.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Wheels
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide
advanced warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever
wheels are replaced, the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must
be switched over from the old wheels. (P. 305)
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separat e from the wheel or cause loss of
handling control.
■ Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width, and offset.
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
Toyota does not recommend using:
●Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheel that have been straightened
■ Aluminum wheel precautions
●Use only Toyota wheel nuts and wrenches designed for use
with your aluminum wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.
● Use only Toyota genuine bal ance weights or equivalent and
use a plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

318 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in the
Owner’s Manual, as this may result in loss of handling control.
● Never use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a tube-
less tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing serious injury or
death.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your Toyota
dealer or other qualified service shop. 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 properly with
non-genuine wheels.

5
When trouble arises
345
5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.
■ Visible symptoms
●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air cond itioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature g auge needle continually points
higher than normal
■ 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 rough
● 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, s pongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor