Page 441 of 600
4417-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U■
When the initializati
on of the tire pressure warning system has  failed
Initialization can be completed i n a few minutes. However, in the following
cases, the settings  have not been record ed and the system will  not oper-
ate properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pre ssure settings
are unsuccessful, have the vehicl e inspected by your Toyota dealer.
●When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire  pressure
warning light does  not blink 3 times.
●After driving for a certain period of time since the initializa tion has been
completed, the warning light comes  on after blinking for 1 minute.
■Tire pressure warning  system certification
For vehicles sold in the U.S.A. and Puerto Rico
For vehicles sold in Canada 
     
        
        Page 442 of 600

4427-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■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
dangerous  handling  characteristics,  which  may  lead  to  an  accide nt
resulting in death o r serious injury.
●Do not mix tires of different ma kes, models or tread patterns. 
Also, do not mix tires of re markably different treadwear.
●Do not use tire sizes other th an those recommended by Toyota.
●Do  not  mix  differently  constructed  tires  (radial,  bias-belted  o r  bias-ply
tires).
●Do not mix summer, all  season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have b een used on another vehicle. 
Do not use tires if you do not kn ow how they were used previous ly. 
●Do not tow if your vehicle has a compact spare tire installed.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do  not  operate  the  tire  pressure  warning  reset  switch  without  first
adjusting the tire inflation pressure to the specified level. O therwise, the
tire  pressure  warning  light  may  not  come  on  even  if  the  tire  in flation
pressure  is  low,  or  it  may  come  on  when  the  tire  inflation  pres sure  is
actually normal. 
     
        
        Page 443 of 600

4437-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
NOTICE
■Repairing  or  replacing  tires,  wheels,  tire  pressure  warning  valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves  and  transmitters,  contact  your  Toyota  dealer  as  the  tire pres-
sure  warning  valves  and  transmitters  may  be  damaged  if  not  hand led
correctly.
●When  replacing  tire  valve  caps,  do  not  use  tire  valve  caps  othe r  than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmi t-
ters
When  a  tire  is  repaired  with  liqui d  sealants,  the  tire  pressure  warning
valve  and  transmitter  may  not  operate  properly.  If  a  liquid  sea lant  is
used, contact your Toyota dealer  or other qualified service shop as soon
as  possible.  Make  sure  to  replac e  the  tire  pressure  warning  valve  and
transmitter when replacing the tire. ( P.   4 3 6 )
■Driving on rough roads
Take  particular  care  when  drivi ng  on  roads  with  loose  surfaces  or  pot-
holes.
These  conditions  may  cause  losses  in  tire  inflation  pressure,  reducing
the  cushioning  ability  of  the  t ires.  In  addition,  driving  on  ro ugh  roads
may  cause  damage  to  the  tires  themselves,  as  well  as  the  vehicl e’s
wheels and body.
■Low profile tires (vehicles  with P195/50R16 tires)
Low profile tires may cause gre ater damage than usual to the tire wheel
when sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay at tention
to the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are und er-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.  Fail-
ure to do so may l ead to severe tire and wheel damage.
■If tire inflation pressure of e ach tire becomes low while drivi ng
Do not continue driving, or your t ires and/or wheels may be ruined. 
     
        
        Page 444 of 600
4447-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
The  recommended  cold  tire  infla-
tion pressure and tire size are dis-
played  on  the  tire  and  loading
information label. (P. 543)
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire press ure gauge onto the tire valve.
Read the pressure using  the gauge gradations.
If the tire inflation pressure is not at the recommended level,  adjust
the pressure. 
If you add too much air, press the center of the valve to defla te.
Tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure
Inspection and adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4 
     
        
        Page 445 of 600

4457-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
After  completing  the  tire  inflation  pressure  measurement  and
adjustment, apply soapy water to the valve and check for leakage.
Put the tire valve cap back on.
■Tire inflation pressure check interval
You should check tire inflation p ressure every two weeks, or at least once
a month. 
Do not forget to check the spare.
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrec t tire inflation pressure may result in th e following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent inflating , have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation p ressure, 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 mile or  1.5 km, you will get an accurate  cold tire
inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based o nly on its appear-
ance.
●It  is  normal  for  the  tire  inflation  pressure  to  be  higher  after   driving  as
heat  is  generated  in  the  tire.  Do  not  reduce  tire  inflation  pre ssure  after
driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehi cle is
balanced.
5
6 
     
        
        Page 446 of 600
4467-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated. 
If the tires are not properly in flated,  the  following  conditions  may  occur
which could lead to an accident r esulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overh eated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater  possibility  of  tire  damage  while  driving  (due  to  road  hazards,
expansion joints, sharp ed ges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■When inspecting and adjusti ng tire inflation pressure
Be sure to put the tire  valve caps back on. 
If a valve cap is not installed , dirt or moisture may get into the valve and
cause an air leak, resulting in  decreased tire inflation pressu re. 
     
        
        Page 447 of 600

4477-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that they are
equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter, rim wid th and
inset
*. 
Replacement wheels are available at your Toyota dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
Toyota does not recommend using the following:
● Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that hav e been straightened
● Use  only  Toyota  wheel  nuts  and  wrenches  designed  for  use  with
your aluminum wheels.
● When  rotating,  repairing  or  changi ng  your  tires,  check  that  the
wheel nuts are still tight afte r 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  use  a
plastic or rubber hammer w hen balancing your wheels.
■When replacing wheels
The  wheels  of  your  vehicle  are  equipped  with  tire  pressure  warn ing
valves  and  transmitters  that  allow  the  tire  pressure  warning  sy stem  to
provide  advance  warning  in  the  event  of  a  loss  in  tire  inflatio n  pressure.
Whenever  wheels  are  replaced,  tir e  pressure  warning  valves  and trans-
mitters must be installed. ( P. 436)
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
Aluminum wheel pre cautions (if equipped) 
     
        
        Page 448 of 600

4487-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommended in
the Owner's Manual, as this may  result in a loss of handling control.
●Never  use  an  inner  tube  in  a  leaking  wheel  which  is  designed  fo r  a
tubeless tire. Doing so may resu lt in an accident, causing death or seri-
ous injury.
■When installing the wheel nuts
●Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts. 
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tight ened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or g rease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, caus ing an
accident  and  resulting  in  death  or  serious  injury.  Remove  any  oil  or
grease from the wheel  bolts or wheel nuts.
NOTICE
■Replacing tire pressure warn ing valves and transmitters
●Because  tire  repair  or  replacement  may  affect  the  tire  pressure   warn-
ing  valves  and  transmitters,  make  sure  to  have  tires  serviced  b y  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  prop erly
with non-genuine wheels. 
●Be  sure  to  install  the  wheel  nuts  with
the  tapered  ends  facing  inward.
Installing  the  nuts  with  the  tapered
ends  facing  outward  can  cause  the
wheel  to  break  and  eventually  cause
the  wheel  to  come  off  while  driving,
which  could  lead  to  an  accident
resulting in death o r serious injury.Tapered 
portion