Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2023 year). Manual in english - page 36

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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WARNING

■

When disconnecting the 12-volt battery

Do not disconnect the negative (-) terminal on the body side. The discon-
nected negative (-) terminal may touch the positive (+) terminal, which may
cause a short and result in death or serious injury.

NOTICE

■

When recharging the 12-volt battery

Never recharge the 12-volt battery while the hybrid system is operating.
Also, be sure all accessories are turned off.

■

When adding distilled water

Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during 12-volt battery recharging may cause
corrosion.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Open the lid.

Check the washer fluid level on the level gauge.

“NORMAL”
“LOW”

If the washer fluid level is at
“LOW”, add washer fluid.

Washer fluid

1
2

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WARNING

■

When adding washer fluid

Do not add washer fluid when the hybrid system is hot or operating as
washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.

NOTICE

■

Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid

Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces, as well as
damaging the pump leading to problems of the washer fluid not spraying.

■

Diluting washer fluid

Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-
tle.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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.

New tread
Worn tread
Treadwear indicator

The location of treadwear indicators is shown by the “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

Tire rotation

1
2
3

Front

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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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. 663)

◆

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 retailer or Toyota autho-
rized repairer, or any reliable repairer. (



P. 603)

◆

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 the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when chang-
ing traveling speed or load weight

When the tire pressure warning system is initialized, the current tire
inflation pressure is set as the benchmark pressure.

Tire pressure warning system

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

How to initialize the tire pressure warning system

Park 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. 723)

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.
Switch the multi-information display to the

screen.

(



P. 247)

Press

of the meter control switches, select

(“Vehicle Settings”), and then press

Press

of the meter control switches, select “Mainte-

nance System”, and then press

Press

of the meter control switches, select “TPMS”,

and then press

Press and hold

When initialization com-
pletes, a message is dis-
played on the multi-
information display and the
tire pressure warning light
illuminates.

Until Complete

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◆

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 retailer or Toyota authorized
repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■

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 retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

■

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.

■

Low profile tires (vehicles with 215/45R17 tires)

Generally, low profile tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance
will be reduced on snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires.
Be sure to use snow tires or tire chains on snowy and/or icy roads and drive
carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■

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.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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■

The initialization operation

●

Make sure to carry out initialization after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.
Also, make sure the tires are cold before carrying out initialization or tire
inflation pressure adjustment.

●

If you have accidentally turned the power switch off during initialization, it is
not necessary to press the reset switch 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 necessary,
adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are
cold, and conduct initialization again.

■

Warning performance of the tire pressure warning system

The warning of the tire pressure warning system will change in accordance
with the conditions under which it was initialized. For this reason, the system
may give a warning even if the tire pressure does not reach a low enough
level, or if the pressure is higher than the pressure that was adjusted to when
the system was initialized.

■

When initialization of the tire pressure warning system has failed

Initialization can be completed in a few minutes. However, in the following
cases, the settings have not been recorded and the system will not operate
properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure settings are
unsuccessful, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

●

When operating the initialization of the system, the tire pressure warning
light does not flash 3 times and the setting message does not appear on the
multi-information display.

●

After driving for a certain period of time since the initialization has been
completed, the warning light comes on after blinking for 1 minute.

■

Registering ID codes

The ID codes of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters for two sets
of wheels can be registered.
It is not necessary to register the ID codes when replacing normal tires with
snow tires, if the ID codes for the wheels of both normal tires and snow tires
are registered beforehand.
For information about changing ID codes, ask any authorized Toyota retailer
or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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 accident resulting
in death or serious injury.

●

Do not mix tires of different makes, models or tread patterns.
Also, do not mix tires of remarkably different treadwear.

●

Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.

●

Do not mix differently constructed tires (radial, bias-belted or bias-ply
tires).

●

Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.

●

Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.

■

When initializing the tire pressure warning system

Do not initialize the tire pressure warning system without first adjusting the
tire inflation pressure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure
warning light may not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it
may come on when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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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 any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled correctly.

●

Make sure to install the tire valve caps. If the tire valve caps are not
installed, water could enter the tire pressure warning valves and the tire
pressure warning valves could be bound.

●

When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those
specified. The cap may become stuck.

■

To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters

When a tire is repaired with liquid sealants, the tire pressure warning valve
and transmitter may not operate properly. If a liquid sealant is used, contact
any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable
repairer or other qualified service shop as soon as possible. After use of liq-
uid sealant, make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and trans-
mitter when repairing or replacing the tire. (



P. 601)

■

Driving on rough roads

Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or potholes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing the
cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may cause
damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels and body.

■

Low profile tires (vehicles with 215/45R17 tires)

Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the wheel when
receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay attention to the fol-
lowing:

●

Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-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 each tire becomes low while driving

Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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. 723)

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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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.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Wheels

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 any authorized Toyota retailer or
Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.

Toyota does not recommend using the following:

●

Wheels of different sizes or types

●

Used wheels

●

Bent wheels that have been straightened

●

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 1600 km (1000 miles).

●

Be careful not to damage the aluminum wheels when using tire
chains.

●

Use only Toyota genuine balance weights or equivalent and a plas-
tic or rubber hammer when balancing your 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 precautions

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

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■

When replacing wheels

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. 601)

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

Never use oil or grease on the wheel bolts or wheel nuts.
Oil and grease may cause the wheel nuts to be excessively tightened, lead-
ing 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 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.

NOTICE

■

Replacing tire pressure warning valves and transmitters

●

Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by any autho-
rized Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer
or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure to purchase your
tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.

●

Ensure that only genuine Toyota wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly with
non-genuine wheels.

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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Replacing the tire

●

Stop the vehicle in a safe place on a hard, flat surface.

●

Set the parking brake.

●

Shift the shift position to P.

●

Stop the hybrid system.

When raising your vehicle with a jack, position the jack cor-
rectly.
Improper placement may damage your vehicle or cause injury.

Before jacking up the vehicle

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