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260
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Vehicle load limits
■Total load capacity and seating capacity
These details are also described on the tire and loading information
label. (P. 451)
CAUTION
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to the ti res, but also degrade steering and
braking ability, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle load limits include total load capacity, seating capacity,
towing capacity and cargo capacity.
■ Total load capacity: 825 lb. (370 kg)
Total load capacity means the combined weight of occupants,
cargo and luggage.
■ Seating capacity: 5 occupants (Front 2, Rear 3)
Seating capacity means the ma ximum number of occupants
whose estimated average weight is 150 lb. (68 kg) per person.
Even if the number of occupants are within the seating capacity,
do not exceed the total load capacity.
■ Towing capacity
Toyota does not recommend towing a trailer with your vehicle.
■ Cargo capacity
Cargo capacity may increase or decrease depending on the
weight and the number of occupants.
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370 3-5. Using the storage features
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Overhead console (vehicles without the moon roof)Push the lid.
The overhead console is useful
for temporarily storing small
items.
CAUTION
■While driving
Keep the console box closed.
Injuries may result in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an
accident.
ITO35P108
CAUTION
■ Items that should not be le ft in the overhead console
Do not leave glasses or lighters in the console.
If the interior of the vehicle becomes hot, lighters may explode and glasses
may warp or become cracked.
■ While driving
Do not leave the overhead console open.
Items may fall out and cause injury.
■ Maximum storage weight
Do not place any object heavier than 0.4 lb. (200 g) in it. The console may
be opened and cause injury.
Console box and overhead console
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382 3-6. Other interior features
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■Burns
● Use caution when seating the following persons in a seat with the seat
heater on to avoid the possibility of burns:
• Babies, small children, the elderly, the sick and the disabled
• Persons with sensitive skin
• Persons who are fatigued
• Persons who have taken alcohol or drugs that induce sleep (sleeping
drugs, cold remedies, etc.)
● Do not cover the seat with anything when using the seat heater.
Using the seat heater with a blanket or cushion increases the temperature
of the seat and may lead to overheating.
NOTICE
■ To prevent seat heater damage
Do not put unevenly weighted objects on the seat and do not stick sharp
objects (needles, nails, etc.) into the seat.
■ To prevent 12 volt battery discharge
Turn the switches off when the hybrid system is not operating.
Page 442 of 616

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.
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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)
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453
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect ti
re inflation pressure ma y result in the following:
●Reduced fuel efficiency
●Reduced driving comfort and tire life
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent re filling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check 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.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be mi sleading. In addition, tire infla-
tion pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade ride
and handling.
●Do not bleed or reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal
for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.
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455
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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 shou ld be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width, and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
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.
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5
When trouble arises
525
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
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.