
538
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Situations  in  which  the  tire  pressure  warning  system  may  not  oper-
ate properly
●In the following cases, the tire pressure warning system may no t operate
properly.
• If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
• When  a  replacement  tire  is  used,   the  system  may  not  operate  cor-
rectly due to the structure  of the replacement tire.
• A tire has been replac ed with a tire that is not of the specif ied size.
• Tire chains etc . are equipped.
• An auxiliary-supported ru n-flat tire is equipped.
• If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is instal led.
• 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  sp ecified
level.
• If  wheel  without  the  tire  pressure  warning  valve  and  transmitt er  is
used.
• If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmi tters 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 stat ion, large
display,  airport  or  other  facilit y  that  generates  strong  radio  waves  or
electrical 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 s tart or go
off could be extended.
●When tire inflation pressure declines rapidly for example when  a tire has
burst, the warning may not function.
■The initialization operation
●Make sure to carry out initializ ation after adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure.
Also, make sure the tires are co ld before carrying out initialization or tire
inflation pressure adjustment.
●If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during ini tialization,
it  is  not  necessary  to  press  the  reset  swit ch  again  as  initialization  will
restart  automatically  when  the  power  switch  has  been  turned  to  ON
mode for the next time.
●If you accidentally press the reset switch when initialization  is not neces-
sary,  adjust  the  tire  inflation  pressure  to  the  specified  level   when  the
tires are cold, and cond uct initialization again. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5396-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
■When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has fai led
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 initialization of the system, the tire pressure warning
light does not flash 3 times an d the setting message does not a ppear on
the multi-information display.
●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.
■Certifications for the tire pressure warning system
For  vehicles  sold  in  the  U.S.A.,  Hawaii,  American  Samoa,  Guam,
Saipan and Puerto Rico 

540
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
For vehicles sold in Canada
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. 
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do  not  initialize  the  tire  press ure  warning  system  without  firs t  adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to t he specified level. Otherwise,  the tire pres-
sure warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation p ressure is
low,  or  it  may  come  on  when  the  tire  inflation  pressure  is  actu ally  nor-
mal. 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5416-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
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.
●Make  sure  to  install  the  tire  val ve  caps.  If  the  tire  valve  caps  are  not
installed,  water  could  enter  the  tire  pressure  warning  valves  a nd  the
tire pressure warning valves could be bound.
●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.  After  use  of  liquid  sealant,  make  sure  to  replace  the  tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter when repairing or replac ing the
tire. ( P.   5 3 4 )
■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 (vehicl es with 215/45R17 tires)
Low  profile  tires  may  cause  greater  damage  than  usual  to  the  wh eel
when receiving impact from the ro ad surface. Therefore pay attention to
the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are und er-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid  pot  holes,  uneven  pavement,  curbs  and  other  road  hazards.
Failure to do so can lead 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. 

542
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tire inflation pressure
The  recommended  cold  tire  infla-
tion pressure and tire size are dis-
played  on  the  tire  and  loading
information label. (P. 672)
Tire inflation pressure 

PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
5436-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
6
Maintenance and care
Tire valve
Tire pressure gauge
Remove the tire valve cap.
Press the tip of the tire pressure 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.
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.
Inspection and adjustment procedure
1
2
1
2
3
4
5
6 

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PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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 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.
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. 

546
PRIUS_OM_OM47E09U_(U)
6-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■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. 534)
WARNING
■When replacing wheels
●Do not use wheels that are a different size from those recommen ded 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
●Be  sure  to  install  the  wheel  nuts  with  the  tapered  ends  facing  inward.
(  P. 640) 
Installing the nuts with the taper ed ends facing outward can cause the
wheel to break and eventually cause the wheel to come off while  driv-
ing, which could lead to an accident resulting in death or seri ous injury.
●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.
■Use of defective wheels prohibited
Do not use cracked or deformed wheels.
Doing so could cause the tire to  leak air during driving, possibly causing
an accident.