2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN tires

350
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Before driving the vehicle
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is
frozen. Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice.
Wipe away the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
●To e n s u r e p r o p e r o p e r a t i o n o f t he climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents
in front of the windshield.
●Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have
accumulated on the exterior lights, vehicle’s roof, chassis,
around the tires or on the brakes.
●Remove snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
■When driving the vehicle
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you
and the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to
road conditions.
■When parking the vehicle
Park the vehicle and shift the shift position to P and block the
wheel under the vehicle without setting the parking brake. The
parking brake may freeze up, preventing it from being released.
If necessary, block the wheels to prevent inadvertent sliding or
creeping.

351
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
Selecting tire chains
Use the tire chains of correct size and type.
Use SAE Class “S” type radial tire chains except radial cable chains
or V-bar type chains.
Regulations on the use of tire chains
Regulations regarding the use of tire chains vary depending on loca-
tion and type of road. Always check local regulations before installing
chains.
■Tire chain installation
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 only. Do not install tire chains on the
rear tires.
●Install tire chains on front tires as tightly as possible. Retighten chains
after driving 1/4 - 1/2 mile (0.5 - 1.0 km).
●Install tire chains following the instructions provided with the tire chains.

352
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the size specified.
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Do not drive in excess of 75 mph (120 km/h), regardless of the type of
snow tires being used.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
■Driving with tire chains
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure 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 acceleration, abrupt steering, sudden braking and shifting
operations that cause sudden engine braking.
●Slow down sufficiently before entering a curve to ensure that vehicle con-
trol is maintained.

353
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from Toyota dealers or legiti-
mate tire retailers.
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.

437
4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
Ve h i c l e e x t e r i o r
Charging equipment
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood•Does the engine hood lock sys-
tem work properly?
Fluid leaks
•There should not be any signs of
fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires
•Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
•The tires should not be dam-
aged or excessively worn.
•Have the tires been rotated
according to the maintenance
schedule?
•The wheel nuts should not be
loose.
ItemsCheck points
Charging cable
•Check that the electrical leakage
detection function operates prop-
erly. (→P. 1 0 3 )
CAUTION
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.

452
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Replacing a tire
Chock the tires.STEP 1
Tire positionWheel chock positions
FrontLeft-hand side Behind the rear right-hand side tire
Right-hand side Behind the rear left-hand side tire
RearLeft-hand side In front of the front right-hand side tire
Right-hand side In front of the front left-hand side tire

456
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■Using the tire jack
Improper use of the tire jack may cause the vehicle to suddenly fall off
the jack, leading to death or serious injury.
Observe the following precautions:
●Do not use the tire jack for any purpose other than replacing tires or
installing and removing tire chains.
●Only use the tire jack that comes with this vehicle for replacing a flat
tire.
Do not use it on other vehicles, and do not use other tire jacks for
replacing tires on this vehicle.
●Always check that the tire jack is securely set to the jack point.
●Do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack.
●Do not start or run the hybrid system while your vehicle is supported by
the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle while someone is inside.
●When raising the vehicle, do not put an object on or under the jack.
●Do not raise the vehicle to a height greater than that required to
replace the tire.
●Use a jack stand if it is necessary to get under the vehicle.
Ta k e p a r t i c u l a r c a r e w h e n l o w e r i n g t h e v e h i c l e t o e n s u r e t h a t n o o n e
working on or near the vehicle may be injured.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
NOTICE
■When replacing the tires
When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, contact your To y o t a d e a l e r a s t h e t i r e p r e s s u r e
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled correctly.
■To a v o i d d a m a g e t o t h e t i r e p r e s s u r e w a r n i n g v a l v e s a n d t r a n s m i t -
ters
When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is
used, contact your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon
as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the tire. (→P. 4 7 7 )