2008 TOYOTA PRIUS winter tires

177
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of 12 volt battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.

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.

386 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
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 han-
dling characteristics, which may le ad to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread-
wear.
●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 push the reset switch without fi rst adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure 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.
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 cor-
rectly.
●When replacing tires, make sure also to replace the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter grommets.
■Do not use puncture sealant sprays to repair flats
Puncture sealant sprays may damage tire pressure tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters.

505
Alphabetical index
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Tires
Chains .................................. 179
Checking .............................. 379
Compact spare tire ............... 439
If you have a flat tire ............. 438
Inflation pressure .................. 470
Information ........................... 475
Pressure warning system ..... 379
Replacing ............................. 438
Rotating tires ........................ 379
Size ...................................... 470
Snow tires............................. 179
Spare tire .............................. 439
Tools......................................... 438
Total load capacity .................. 176
Touch screen ........................... 186
Towing Dinghy towing ....................... 182
Emergency towing ................ 416
Trailer towing ........................ 181
Transmission “P” position switch ................ 137
Transmission ........................ 136
Trip information......................... 27
Trip meter................................. 144
Turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 407
Switch ................................... 140
Wattage ................................ 471
Vanity lights Vanity lights .......................... 330
Wattage ................................ 471
Vanity mirrors .......................... 330
Vehicle identification number................................... 463
Vehicle load limits ................... 176
Vehicle Stability Control ......... 170 Warning buzzers
Brake system ........................426
Open door ............................429
Seat belt reminder .................429
Warning lights Anti-lock brake
system (ABS) ......................428
Brake system ........................426
Charging system .... ...............427
Electric power steering warning light........................428
Low fuel level ........................429
Malfunction indicator lamp ....427
Master warning light ..............430
Open door .............................429
Seat belt reminder light .........429
SRS airbags ..........................427
Tire pressure warning
light .....................................429
Washer Checking ...............................378
Preparing and checking before winter .......................177
Switch....................................158
Washing and waxing ...............346
Weight
Cargo capacity ......................173
Load limits .............................176
Weight ...................................462
Wheels ......................................392
Window glasses ........................75
Window lock switch ...................75
Windows Power windows .......................75
Rear window defogger ..........217
Washer ..................................158
Windshield wipers
Windshield wipers .................158
Winter driving tips ...................177
Wireless remote control key Locking/Unlocking ...................49
Replacing the battery ............396
WMA disc ..................................254
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