5376-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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6
Maintenance and care
Tire inflation pressure
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the 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 any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
■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.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based only 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 pressure after driving.
●Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle is bal-
anced.
Make sure to maintain proper tire inflation pressure. Tire infla-
tion pressure should be checked at least once per month. How-
ever, Toyota recommends that tire inflation pressure be checked
once every two weeks. (P. 665)
5386-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur
which could lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
● Excessive wear
● Uneven wear
● Poor handling
● Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated 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 edges in the road, etc.)
NOTICE
■ When inspecting and adjusting 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 pressure.
5406-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
■When replacing wheels (vehicles with the tire pressure warning system)
The wheels of your vehicle are equipped with tire pressure warning valves
and transmitters that allow the tire pressure warning system to provide
advance warning in the event of a loss in tire inflation pressure. Whenever
wheels are replaced, tire pressure warning valves and transmitters must be
installed. ( P. 530)
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 for a tube-
less tire. Doing so may result in an accident, causing death or serious
injury.
■ When installing the wheel nuts
● Be sure to install the wheel nuts with the tapered ends facing inward.
( P. 627)
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 or serious injury.
● Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened,
leading to bolt or disc wheel damage. In addition, the oil or grease can
cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the wheel may fall off, causing an acci-
dent 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.
5847-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)*4
Warns the driver and/or front passenger to fasten their
seat belts
Fasten the seat belt.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied, the front
passenger’s seat belt also needs to be fastened to
make the warning light (warning buzzer) turn off.
Rear passengers’ seat belt reminder lights (warning
buzzer)*5
Warns the rear passengers to fasten their seat belts
Fasten the seat belt.
Master warning light
A buzzer sounds and the warning light comes on and
flashes to indicate that the master warning system has
detected a malfunction.
P. 589
(If equipped)
Tire pressure warning light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure such as
• Natural causes ( P. 587)
• Flat tire ( P. 598, 618)
Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified
level.
The light will turn off after a few minutes. In case the
light does not turn off even if the tire inflation pres-
sure is adjusted, have the system checked by any
authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.
When the light comes on after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire pressure warning system ( P. 587)
Have the system checked by any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details/Actions
5867-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_OM_OM47F32E_(EE)
*5: Rear passengers’ seat belt warning buzzer:
The rear passengers’ seat belt warning buzzer sounds to alert the rear
passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. If the seat belt is unfas-
tened, the buzzer sounds intermittently for a certain period of time, after
the seat belt is fastened and unfastened and the vehicle reaches a certain
speed.
*6: This symbol is displayed on the multi-information display.
■ Front passenger detection sensor, seat belt reminder and warning
buzzer
● If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the front passenger detec-
tion sensor may cause the warning light to flash and the warning buzzer to
sound even if a passenger is not sitting in the seat.
● If a cushion is placed on the seat, the sensor may not detect a passenger,
and the warning light may not operate properly.
■ Electric power steering system warning light (warning buzzer)
When the 12-volt battery charge becomes insufficient or the voltage tempo-
rarily drops, the electric power steering system warning light may come on
and the warning buzzer may sound.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on while driving
For some models, the malfunction indicator lamp will come on if the fuel tank
becomes completely empty. If the fuel tank is empty, refuel the vehicle imme-
diately. The malfunction indicator lamp will go off after several trips.
If the malfunction indicator lamp does not go off, contact any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repai rer, or any reliable repairer as soon
as possible.
■ When the tire pressure warning light comes on (if equipped)
Inspect the appearance of the tire to check that the tire is not punctured.
If the tire is punctured: P. 598, 618
If the tire is not punctured:
Carry out the following procedure after the tire temperature has lowered suffi-
ciently.
● Check the tire inflation pressure and adjust to the appropriate level.
● If the warning light does not go out even after several minutes, check that
the tire inflation pressure is at the specified level and carry out initialization.
( P. 531)
The warning light may come on again if the above operations are conducted
without first allowing the tire temperature to lower sufficiently.
5877-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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7
When trouble arises
■The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes (if
equipped)
The tire pressure warning light may come on due to natural causes such as
natural air leaks or tire inflation pressure changes caused by temperature. In
this case, adjusting the tire inflation pressure will turn off the warning light
(after a few minutes).
■ When a tire is replaced with a spare tire (vehicles with the tire pressure
warning system)
Vehicles with compact spare tire: The compact spare tire is not equipped with
a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter. If a tire goes flat, the tire pres-
sure warning light will not turn off even though the flat tire has been replaced
with the spare tire. Replace the spare ti re with the repaired tire and adjust the
tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning light will go off after a few
minutes.
Vehicles with full-size spare tire: T he spare tire is also equipped with a tire
pressure warning valve and transmitter. The tire pressure warning light will
turn on if the tire inflation pressure of the spare tire is low. If a tire goes flat,
the tire pressure warning light will not turn off even though the flat tire has
been replaced with the spare tire. Replace the spare tire with the repaired tire
and adjust the tire inflation pressure. The tire pressure warning light will go off
after a few minutes.
■ Conditions that the tire pressure warning system may not function prop-
erly (if equipped)
P. 533
■ If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
1 minute (if equipped)
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
1 minute when the power switch is turned to ON mode, have it checked by
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer.
■ Warning buzzer
In some cases, the buzzer may not be heard due to being in a noisy location
or audio sound.
5887-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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WARNING
■When the electric power steering system warning light comes on
When the light comes on yellow, the assist to the power steering is
restricted. When the light comes on red, the assist to the power steering is
lost and handling operations of the steering wheel become extremely
heavy. When steering wheel operations are heavier than usual, grip the
steering wheel firmly and operate it using more force than usual.
■ If the tire pressure warning light comes on (vehicles with the tire pres-
sure warning system)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could cause a
loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
● Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire infla-
tion pressure immediately.
● Vehicles with emergency tire puncture repair kit: If the tire pressure warn-
ing light comes on even after tire inflat ion pressure adjustment, it is proba-
ble that you have a flat tire. Check the tire s. If a tire is flat, repair the flat tire
by using emergency tire puncture repair kit.
● Vehicles with spare tire: If the tire pressure warning light comes on even
after tire inflation pressure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat
tire. Check the tires. If a tire is flat, change it with the spare tire and have
the flat tire repaired by the nearest any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
● Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate, you
could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■ If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicles with the tire
pressure warning system)
The tire pressure warning system may not activate immediately.
NOTICE
■ To ensure the tire pressure warning system operates properly (vehi-
cles with the tire pressure warning system)
Do not install tires with different specif ications or makers, as the tire pres-
sure warning system may not operate properly.
6087-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Check the specified tire inflation pressure.
Tire inflation pressure is specified on the label as shown. (P. 665)
Start the hybrid system. (P. 244)
To inject the sealant and inflate
the tire, turn the compressor
switch on.
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Left-hand drive vehiclesRight-hand drive vehicles
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