2008 TOYOTA PRIUS flat tire

5
When trouble arises
423
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
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 displa y indicates that the temper-
ature is higher than normal. ( P. 146)
■ 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

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)
*2
A door or a back door is
not fully closed.
Check that all doors and the
back door are closed.
Low fuel level warning
light Remaining fuel
(Approximately 3.0 gal.
[11.4 L, 2.5 Imp.gal.] or
less) Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s seat belt
reminder light (warning
buzzer)
*3
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*3
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his/her seat
belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure.
Adjust the tire inflation
pressure.
When the light stays on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system. Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.

434 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■Front passenger detect ion sensor and passenger seat belt reminder
If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash, even if a passenger is not
sitting in the seat.
■
When the tire pressure warning light comes on
Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
Pushing the tire pressure warning reset switch should not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light ma y turn on due to natural causes
The tire pressure warning light may turn on due to natural causes such
as natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temper-
ature. In this case, adjusting the ti re inflation pressure will turn off the
warning light.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system may become inoperative in the follow-
ing conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered.
●If the tire inflation pressure is more than 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2
or bar).
The system may be disabled in the following conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
●If tire chains are used.

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When trouble arises
435
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1
minute frequently
If the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute fre-
quently when the “POWER” switch
is turned to ON mode, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
NOTICE
■Precaution when installing a different tire
When a tire of a different specification or maker is installed, the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.
CAUTION
■When the power steering warning light comes on
The steering wheel may become extremely heavy.
If the steering wheel becomes heavier than usual when operating, firmly
hold and operate it using more force than usual.
■
If the tire pressure warning light comes on
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury. • Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust thetire inflation pressure immediately.
• If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check
the tires. If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat
tire repaired by the nearest Toyota dealer.
• Avoid abrupt maneuvering and brak ing. If the vehicle tires deterio-
rate, you could lose control of th e steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air loss should occur
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.

436 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Maintenance of the tires
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label (tire and load information label). (If your vehicle has tires of a differ-
ent size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label [tire and load information label], you should determine the
proper tire inflation pr essure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS-ti re pressure warning system) that
illuminates a low tire pressure telltal e (tire pressure warning light) when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly,
when the low tire pressu re telltale (tire pressure warning light) illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS (tire pressure warning system) is not a sub-
stitute for proper tire main tenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illu mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale (tire
pressure warning light).

438
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
If you have a flat tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare provided.
■Before jacking up the vehicle
●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Push the “P” position switch
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
ITY52P001
Wheel nut
wrench
Jack handle
Jack
Towing eyelet
Spare tire

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■The compact spare tire
●The compact spare tire is identifi
ed by the label “TEMPORARY USE
ONLY” on the tire sidewall.
Use the compact spare tire temporarily only in an emergency.
●Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure of the compact spare
tire. ( P. 470)
■Tread life
The compact spare tire can be used many times, if necessary. It has
tread life of up to 3000 miles (4800 km) depending on road conditions
and your driving habits. When tread wear indicators appear on the tire,
replace the tire. ( P. 379)
■When using the compact spare tire
As the spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, low inflatio n pressure of the spare tire will not be warned.
Also, if you replace the compact spare tire after the tire pressure warning
light comes on, the light remains on.
■ Compact spare tire
The compact tire saves space in your luggage compartment,
and its lighter weight helps to enhance fuel economy and per-
mits easier installation in case of a flat tire.
The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary emer-
gency use only.

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Taking out the spare tire
Loosen the center fastener that
secures the spare tire.
Replacing a flat tire
Chock the tires.
ITY52P004
STEP1
ITY52P005
STEP1
Flat tireWheel chock positions
Front Left-hand side Behind the rear right-hand side tire
Right-hand side Behind the rear left-hand side tire
Rear Left-hand side
In front of the front
right-hand side
tire
Right-hand side In front of the front left-hand side
tire