
357
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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.  

358
2-5. Driving information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(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. 

485
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
4
Maintenance and care
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the replacement 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.
■Tire types
●Summer tires
Summer 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  tires,  summer  tires  are  inadequate  for
driving  on  snow-covered  or  icy  roads.  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.
●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.
●Snow 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  originally  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  restrictions.  Snow  tires
should be installed on all wheels. ( oP.   3 5 5 )
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. ( oP.   6 3 3 ) 

494
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Wheels
If  a  wheel  is  bent,  cracked  or  heavily  corroded,  it  should  be
replaced.  Otherwise,  the  tire  may  separate  from  the  wheel  or
cause a loss of handling control.
■Wheel selection
When  replacing  wheels,  care  should  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”.
To y o t a   d o e s   n o t   r e c o m m e n d   u s i n g   t h e   f o l l o w i n g :
●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. 

5
When trouble arises
545
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■If the tire pressure warning system is not functioning
The tire pressure warning system will be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If  tires  not  equipped  with  tire  pressure  warning  valves  and  transmit-
ters are used
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer
●If the tire inflation pressure is 73 psi (500 kPa, 5.1 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher
The tire pressure warning system may be disabled in the following condi-
tions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby
●If a radio set at a similar frequency is in use in the vehicle
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed
●If  there  is  a  lot  of  snow  or  ice  on  the  vehicle,  particularly  around  the
wheels or wheel housings
●If  non-genuine  Toyota  wheels  are  used  (Even  if  you  use  Toyota
wheels, the tire pressure warning system may not work properly with
some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used 

5
When trouble arises
591
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
■Emergency tire puncture repair kit
●The  sealant  stored  in  the  emergency  tire  puncture  repair  kit  can  be
used  only  once  to  temporarily  repair  a  single  tire.  If  the  sealant  has
been used and needs to be purchased, contact your Toyota dealer.
●The sealant can be used when the outside temperature is from -40°F
(-40°C) to 140°F (60°C).
●The  repair  kit  is  exclusively  designed  for  size  and  type  of  tires  origi-
nally  installed  on  your  vehicle.  Do  not  use  it  for  tires that  a  different
size than the original ones, or for any other purposes.
●The  sealant  has  a  limited  lifespan.  The  expiry  date  is  shown  on  the
bottle.  The  sealant  should  be  replaced  before  the  expiry  date.  Con-
tact your Toyota dealer.
●If the sealant gets on your clothes, it may stain.
●If  the  sealant  adheres  to  a  wheel  or the surface of the vehicle body,
the  stain  may  not  be  removable  if  it  is  not  cleaned  at  once.  Immedi-
ately wipe away the sealant with a wet cloth.
●During operation of the repair kit, a loud operation noise is produced.
This does not indicate a malfunction.
●Do not use to check or to adjust the tire pressure. 

627
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47A11U_(U)
Brakes
*1:Minimum pedal clearance when depressed with a force of 44.1 lbf (196 N,
20.0 kgf) while the hybrid system is operating.
*2:Parking brake pedal travel when depressed with a force of 67.5 lbf (300 N,
30.6 kgf).
Steering
Tires and wheels
Pedal clearance*13.03 in. (77 mm) Min.
Pedal free play 0.04   0.24 in. (1.0   6.0 mm)
Brake pad wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake lining wear limit 0.04 in. (1.0 mm)
Parking brake pedal travel*28   11   c l i c k s
Fluid type SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
Free playLess than 1.2 in. (30 mm)
Tire sizeP195/65R15 89S
Tire inflation pressure
(Recommended cold tire 
inflation pressure)
Front tire
35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2 or bar)
Rear tire
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2 or bar)
Wheel size 15  u 6J
Wheel nut torque 76 ft•lbf (103 N•m, 10.5 kgf•m)