2010 TOYOTA PRIUS wheel

446 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■Tire types
1 Summer tiresSummer 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 ro ads. 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. 261)

450 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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 correctly.
■To avoid damaging the tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters
Do not use liquid sealants on flat tires.
■Driving 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.
■Low profile tires (215/45R17 tires)
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the wheel
when receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay attention to
the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid pot holes, uneven pavemen t, curbs and other road hazards.
Failure to do so can lead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

454 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
CAUTION
■Proper 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.
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resu lting from overheated tires
●Poor sealing of the tire bead
●Wheel deformation and/or tire separation
●A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps. 
Without the valve caps, dirt or mo isture 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.

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.

456 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■When replacing wheels
The wheels of your Toyota are equipped with tire pressure warning
valves and 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. 442)
CAUTION
■When replacing wheels
●Do 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.
●Never 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
■Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, 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.
●Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle. 
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.

5
When trouble arises
487
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Before towingThe following may indicate a problem with your transmission. Contact
your Toyota dealer before towing.
● The hybrid system is operating, but the vehicle will not move.
● The vehicle makes an abnormal sound.
Emergency towing
If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet. This should only be attempted on hard, surfaced roads
for short distances below 18 mph (30 km/h). 
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle’s wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your Toyota dealer or a commerci al towing service, using a lift-type
truck or a flat bed truck. 
Use a safety chain system for all to wing, and abide by all state/pro-
vincial and local laws.
If towing from the front, the vehicle ’s rear wheel and axles must be in
good condition. ( P. 491)
If they are damaged, use a towing dolly or flat bed truck.

488 5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.Towing eyelet
ITO51P107
■
Emergency towing procedure
Release the parking brake.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode.
Put the shift lever in “N”.
CAUTION
■While towing
● Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelet and the cable or chain.
● If the hybrid system is not operating, the power assist for the brakes and
steering will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
NOTICE
■To prevent causing serious dama ge to the transmission
Never tow this vehicle from the rear with the four wheels on the ground. 
This may cause serious damage to the transmission.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

5
When trouble arises
489
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Installing towing eyelet
Remove the eyelet cover using a
flathead screwdriver.
To protect the bodywork, place a
rag between the screwdriver and
the vehicle body, as shown in the
illustration.
Insert the towing eyelet into the
hole and tighten partially by
hand.
Tighten down the towing eyelet
securely using a wheel nut
wrench.
ITO51P108
STEP1
ITO51P109
STEP2
ITO51P110
STEP3
■Location of the emer gency towing eyelet
 P. 524