Page 277 of 509
2774-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)NOTICE
■
Repairing or replacing snow tires
Request repairs or replacement of snow tires from any authorized Toyota
dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and equipped professional or
legitimate 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.
Page 309 of 509
309
6Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)6-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 310
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 315
6-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements.................... 318
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions ...................... 321
Hood .................................. 323
Positioning a floor jack ....... 325
Engine compartment.......... 327
12-volt battery .................... 337
Tires ................................... 341
Tire inflation pressure ........ 353
Wheels ............................... 355
Air conditioning filter .......... 357
Wiper rubber replacement ..................... 359
Electronic key battery ........ 361
Checking and replacing fuses ................................ 363
Light bulbs ......................... 367
Page 321 of 509

3216-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery
condition
(→ P. 337) • Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
Engine/power
control unit
coolant level
(
→ P. 333) • “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high
quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(→ P. 329)
• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( →P. 363)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs
(→ P. 367)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Phillips-head screwdriver• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and
condenser
(→ P. 334)
Tire inflation
pressure
(→ P. 353)
• Tire pressure gauge• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(→ P. 335)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 341 of 509
3416-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
Tires
Check if the treadwear indicators are showing on the tires. Also check
the tires for uneven wear, such as excessive wear on one side of the
tread.
Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator
The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a “TWI” or “∆” mark, etc.,
molded into the sidewall of each tire.
Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
Rotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and help
extend tire life, Toyota recom-
mends that tire rotation is carried
out approximately every 10000 km
(6000 miles).
Do not fail to initialize the tire pres-
sure warning system after tire rota-
tion.
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
Checking tires
1
2
3
Tire rotation
Front
Page 342 of 509

3426-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to detect low tire infla-
tion pressure before serious problems arise.
If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is
warned by a warning light. (→P. 392)
The compact spare tire is not equipped with a tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter.
◆Installing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters
When replacing tires or wheels, tire pressure warning valves and
transmitters must also be installed.
When new tire pressure warning valves and transmitters are
installed, new ID codes must be registered in the tire pressure
warning computer and the tire pressure warning system must be
initialized. Have tire pressure warning valve and transmitter ID
codes registered by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional. ( →P. 343)
◆Initializing the tire pressure warning system
■The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the fol-
lowing circumstances:
● When rotating front and rear tires which have different tire infla-
tion pressures
● When changing the tire size
When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.
Tire pressure warning system
Page 343 of 509

3436-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
■How to initialize the tire pressure warning systemPark the vehicle in a safe place and turn the power switch off.
Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. ( →P. 473)
Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation
pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on
this pressure level.
Turn the power switch to ON mode.
Press and hold the tire pres-
sure warning reset switch
until the tire pressure warn-
ing light blinks slowly 3 times.
Wait for a few minutes with the power switch in ON mode and
then turn the power switch off.
◆Registering ID codes
The tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is equipped with a
unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and
transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID code. Have the ID code
registered by any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional.
1
2
3
4
5
Page 344 of 509

3446-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●The treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.
● You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose
the fabric, and bulges indicating internal damage.
● A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or
location of a cut or other damage.
If you are not sure, consult with any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional.
■ Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not regis-
tered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. After driving for
about 10 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks for 1 minute and stays
on to indicate a system malfunction.
■ Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if it
has seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■ Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pres-
sure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine
of daily vehicle checks.
■ If the tread on snow tires wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.)
The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.
Page 345 of 509

3456-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47B24E_(EE)
6
Maintenance and care
■Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate
properly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may not operate
properly.
• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
• When a replacement tire is used, the system may not operate correctly
due to the structure of the replacement tire.
• A tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
• Tire chains etc. are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported run-flat tire is equipped.
• 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 the tire inflation pressure is extremely higher than the specified level.
• If wheel without the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
● Performance may be affected in the following situations.
• Near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large dis-
play, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electri-
cal noise
• When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communication device
● When the vehicle is parked, the time taken for the warning to start or go off
could be extended.
● When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when a tire has
burst, the warning may not function.