2010 TOYOTA PRIUS tires

264 2-5. Driving information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Regulations on the use of tire 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.
● Retighten the chains after driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
■Tire chains
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
manual.
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.

265
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■
Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. 
Failing to do so may result in the vehicle being unable to be driven safely,
and may cause death or serious injury.
● Do not drive in excess of the speed limit specified for the tire chains being
used, or 30 mph (50 km/h), whichever is lower.
● Avoid driving on bumpy road surfaces or over potholes.
● Avoid sudden turns and braking, as use of chains may adversely affect
vehicle handling.
● Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs of and obtain replacement snow tires from Toyota dealers. 
This is because the removal and attachment of snow tires affects the opera-
tion of the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters.
■ Fitting tire chains
The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly
when tire chains are fitted.

Maintenance and care4
403
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s exterior ...... 404
Cleaning and protecting 
the vehicle’s interior ....... 407
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance 
requirements .................. 410
General maintenance....... 412
Emission inspection and 
maintenance (I/M) 
programs ........................ 415
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service 
precautions .................... 416
Hood ................................ 420
Positioning a floor jack ..... 423
Engine compartment ........ 425
12 volt battery .................. 436
Tires ................................. 441
Tire inflation pressure ...... 451
Wheels ............................. 455
Air conditioning filter......... 457
Electronic key battery....... 460
Checking and replacing 
fuses .............................. 462
Light bulbs........................ 472

414 4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Operate smoothly?
Hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks • Is there any leakage after parking?
Tire• Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or damaged?
• Tires rotated according to the mainte-
nance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
CAUTION
■ If the hybrid system is operating
Turn off the hybrid system and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.

441
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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.
ITO43P115
Front

442 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmittersWhen replacing tires or wheels, ti re pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new tire pressure warn ing valve and transmitter ID codes
must be registered in the tire pres sure warning computer and tire
pressure warning system must be initialized. Have tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter ID codes registered by Toyota dealer. 
(  P. 444)
Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■ The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances
●When rotating the tires on vehicles differing with front and rear
tire inflation pressures.
● When changing the tire inflation pressure by changing traveling
speed or load weight, etc.
● When changing the tire size.
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current
tire inflation pressure is set as the pressure benchmark.
■ 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. 499)
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter.

444 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Registering ID codesThe tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a ti re pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to regist er the ID code of tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter. Have the ID code registered by your
Toyota dealer.
■ When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
● You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
● A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size
or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.
■ Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not regis-
tered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving
for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light comes on after blinking
for 1 minute to indicate a system malfunction.

445
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if
they have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■ If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
■ Low profile tires (vehic les with 17-inch tires)
Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance
will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.
■
Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the re placement tire is greater than 1/2
of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
For the GAWR, see the Certification
Label. For the maximum load of the
tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the
sidewall of the tire.( P. 572)