2008 TOYOTA PRIUS tire type

179
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Regulations on the use of snow chains
● Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary according to loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regu lations before install-
ing chains.
● Use SAE Class “S” type radial tire chains, with the exception of
radial cable chains or V-bar type chains.
• Install the chains on the front tires.
• Refer to the explanation that comes with the tire chains for
installation instructions.
● Retighten the chains after driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■Snow chain installation
Observe the following precautions when installing and removing chains.
● Install and remove tire chains in a safe location.
● Install tire chains on the front tires.
● Install tire chains following the instructions provided in the accompanying
instructions.
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failing to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
● Use tires of the size specified for your vehicle.
● Maintain the specified level of tire inflation pressure.
● Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
● Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.

383
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■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. 177)
■Initializing the tire pressure warning system
Initialize the tires with the tire inflation pressure adjusted to the specified
level.

392
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced.
Otherwise, the tire may separate 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 wheels 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 balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

476 6-1. Specifications
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Summer tire or all season tire ( P. 383)
An all season tire has “M+S” on the sidewall. A tire not marked
“M+S” is a summer tire.
Radial tires or bias-ply tires
A radial tire has RADIAL on the sidewall. A tire not marked RADIAL
is a bias-ply tire.
TUBELESS or TUBE TYPE
A tubeless tire does not have a tube and air is directly filled in the
tire. A tube type tire has a tube inside the tire and the tube main-
tains the air pressure.
Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure ( P. 481)
Maximum cold tire in flation pressure ( P. 481)
This means the pressure to which a tire may be inflated.
Uniform tire quality grading
For details, see “Uniform tire quality grading” that follows.
“TEMPORARY USE ONLY” ( P. 439)
A compact spare tire is identified by the phrase “TEMPORARY USE
ONLY” molded into its sidewall. This tire is designed for temporary
emergency use only.

477
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Typical DOT and tire identification number (TIN)
DOT symbol
*
Tire Identification Number
(TIN)
Tire manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark
Tire size code
Manufacturer’s optional tire
type code (3 or 4 letters)
Manufacturing week
Manufacturing year
*:The DOT symbol certifies thatthe tire conforms to applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards.

482 6-1. Specifications
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Tire related termMeaning
Occupant distribution Distribution of occupants in a vehicle as speci-
fied in the third column of Table 1
* below
Production options
weight The combined weight of installed regular pro-
duction options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in
excess of the standard items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb
weight or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim
Rim A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter) Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designation Rim diameter and width
Rim type designation The industry manufacturer’s designation for a
rim by style or code
Rim width Nominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity
weight (Total load
capacity) The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb.
(68 kg) times the vehicle’s designated seating
capacity
Vehicle maximum load
on the tire The load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of the
maximum loaded vehicle weight, and dividing
by two
Vehicle normal load
on the tire The load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of curb
weight, accessory weight, and normal occu-
pant weight (distributed in accordance with
Ta b l e 1
* below), and dividing it by two
Weather side The surface area of the rim not covered by the
inflated tire

512
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
GAS STATION INFORMATION
ITYPP012
Auxiliary catch leverP. 361Fuel filler doorP. 7 8
Hood lock release lever
P. 361Fuel filler door opener
P. 7 8Tire inflation pressureP. 470
Fuel tank capacity11.9 gal. (45 L, 9.9 lmp.gal.)
Fuel typeUnleaded gasoline only P. 79, 464
Cold tire inflation
pressureP. 4 7 0
Engine oil capacity
(Drain and refill)qt. (L, Imp.qt.)
With filter 3.9 (3.7, 3.3)
Without filter 3.6 (3.4, 3.0)
Engine oil type
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil P. 466
Recommended oil viscosity: SAE 5W-30