2009 TOYOTA PRIUS spare tire

375
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
■Checking tires
New tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and inflation pressure if not
rotated.
■ Tire rotation
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
Do not fail to initialize the tire
pressure warning system
after tire rotation.
■The tire pressure warning system
Your Toyota is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that
uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low
tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise. (P. 426)
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter.
Front

385
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation pressure every two weeks, or at least
once a month.
Do not forget to check the spare.
■
Inspection and adjustment procedure
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using the graduations of the gauge.
If the tire inflation pressure is not within the recommended
levels, adjust tire pressure.
If you add too much air, pres s the center of the valve to
lower.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement
and adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check
for leakage.
Reinstall the tire valve cap.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4
STEP5
STEP6

5
When trouble arises
431
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■
Front passenger detection 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 does not turn off the tire
pressure warning light.
■The tire pressure warning light may 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 (after a few minutes).
■When a tire is replaced with a spare tire
The compact spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pressure warning light will
not turn off even though the flat tire is replaced with the spare tire.
Replace the spare tire with the repair ed tire and adjust the proper tire
inflation pressure. The ti re pressure warning light will turn off after a few
minutes.
■If the tire pressure warning system is inoperative
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition be comes 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 in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.

5
When trouble arises
433
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
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 the tire infla-
tion 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 braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you
could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■
If a blowout or sudden air loss should occur
The tire pressure warning syste m may not activate immediately.

434 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
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).

436
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
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 hybrid system.
● Turn on the emergency flashers.
■ Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
ITY52P001
Wheel nut
wrench
Jack handle
Jack
Towing eyelet
Spare tire

5
When trouble arises
437
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■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. 468)
■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 treadwear indicators appear on the tire,
replace the tire. ( P. 375)
■When using the compact spare tire
As the compact spare tire is not equipped with the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, low inflation pressure of the spare tire will not be
warned. Also, if you replace the compac t spare tire after the tire pressure
warning light comes on, the light remains on.
■ Compact spare tire
The compact spare tire saves space in your luggage compart-
ment, and its lighter weight helps to enhance fuel economy and
permits easier installation in case of a flat tire.
The compact spare tire is
designed for temporary emer-
gency use only.

5
When trouble arises
439
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Taking out the spare tire
Loosen the center fastener that
secures the spare tire.
Replacing a flat tire
Chock the tires.
ITY52P004
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