2009 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK Owners Manual

262 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
CAUTION
nTire pressure warning system operation
The tire pressure warning system may not provide warning immediately
if a tire bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.
nWhen 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.
lDo not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread-
wear.
lDo not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
lDo not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
lDo not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
lDo not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
lDo not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.

263
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
nRepairing 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 To
yota dealer as the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
nTo avoid damaging the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.
nDriving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot-
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition driving on rough roads may
cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle's wheels
and body.
nIf tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

264
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tire inflation pressure
nTire inflation pressure
The recommended cold tire inflation pressure and tire size is dis -
played on the tire and loadi ng information labe
l. (→P. 3 5 6 )

265
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
n
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 inflate the tire.
If you add too much air, pres s the cen
ter of the valve to
lower.
After completing the tire inflation pressure measurement
and adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check
fo
r leakage.
Reinstall the tire valve cap.

266 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
nTire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire pressure every two weeks, or at least once a
mo
nth.
Do not forget to check the spare tire.
nEffects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect ti re
inflation pressure may result in the following:
lReduced fuel efficiency
lReduced driving comfort and tire life
lReduced safety
lDamage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
n
Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
lCheck 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.
lAlways use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mi slead
ing. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride
a
nd handling.
lDo not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal
for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
lNever exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is bal
anced.

267
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
nProper inflation is critical
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.
lExcessive wear
lUneven wear
lPoor handling
lPossibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
lPoor sealing of the tire bead
lWheel deformation and/or tire separation
lA greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
nWhen inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
Without the valve caps, dirt or mois ture 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.

268
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Wheels
nWhen replacing wheels
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves an
d 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 installed. ( →P. 2 5 9 )
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
ha
ndling control.
nWheel selection
When replacing wheels, care shou ld
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:
l Whee
ls of different sizes or types
lUs
ed wheels
lBe
nt wheels that have been straightened
n Aluminum wheel precau
tions (if equipped)
l Use only
Toyota wheel nuts and wrench designed for use with
your aluminum wheels.
l When
rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
l Be
careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using
tire chains.
l Use only T
oyota genuine balance weights or equivalent and a
plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

269
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
nWhen replacing wheels
lDo not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner’s Manual, as this may re
sult in loss of handling control.
lNever use an inner tube in a leaking wheel which is designed for a
tubeless tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
NOTICE
nReplacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
lBecause tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitte rs, 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.
lEnsure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.