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421 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
When 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 dan-
gerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident resulting in
death or serious injury.
Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.
Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).
Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
NOTICE
Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
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.
If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
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422
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Tire inflation pressure
Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may 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 inflating, have it checked by any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Make sure to maintain the proper tire inflation pressure. Tire inflation
pressure should be checked at least once per month. However,
Toyota recommends that tire inflation pressure be checked once
every two weeks. (P. 550)
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423 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 or has not been
driven for more than 1.5 km or 1 mile, you will get an accurate cold tire
inflation pressure reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of the tire can be misleading. In addition, tire inflation
pressure that is even just a few pounds off can affect ride quality and
handling.
Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after driving. It is normal for tire infla-
tion 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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424 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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 resulting 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 put the tire valve caps back on.
Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve and cause
air leakage, which could result in an accident. If the caps are lost, replace
them as soon as possible.
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488 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
The compact spare tire
The compact spare tire is identified by the label “TEMPORARY USE
ONLY” on the tire sidewall.
Use the compact spare tire temporarily, and only in an emergency.
Make sure to check the tire inflation pressure of the compact spare tire.
(P. 550)
If you have a flat front tire on a road covered with snow or ice
Install the compact spare tire on one of the rear wheels of the vehicle. Per-
form the following steps and fit tire chains to the front tires:
Replace a rear tire with the compact spare tire.
Replace the flat front tire with the tire removed from the rear of the
vehicle.
Fit tire chains to the front tires.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
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499 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
In the following cases, the tire cannot be repaired with the emergency
tire puncture repair kit. Contact any authorized Toyota dealer or
repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
When the tire is damaged due to driving without sufficient air pressure
When there are any cracks or damage at any location on the tire, such as
on the side wall, except the tread
When the tire is visibly separated from the wheel
When the cut or damage to the tread is 4 mm (0.16 in.) long or more
When the wheel is damaged
When two or more tires have been punctured
When more than 2 sharp objects such as nails or screws have passed
through the tread on a single tire
When the sealant has expired
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504 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)Check the specified tire inflation pressure.
Tire inflation pressure is specified on the label on the driver’s side
pillar as shown. (P. 550)
Left-hand drive vehicles
Right-hand drive vehicles
Start the hybrid system. (P. 214)
To inject the sealant and inflate
the tire, turn the compressor
switch on.
STEP11
STEP12
STEP13
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505 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
When trouble arises
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)Inflate the tire until the specified
air pressure is reached.
The sealant will be injected
and the pressure will surge,
and then gradually decrease.
The air pressure gauge will
display the actual tire inflation
pressure about 1 minute (15
minutes at low temperature)
after the switch is turned on.
STEP14