1999 Toyota RAV4 Owners Manual - Page 198

'99 Rav4.U Checking and replacing tires D The pressure should be checked only when the tires are cold. If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been driven for more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you will get an accurate cold tire pressure reading. D Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation valve caps. Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve core and cause air leakage. If the caps have been lost, have new ones put on as soon as possible. Tread wear indicator D Always use a tire pressure gauge. The appearance of a tire can be misleading. Besides, tire pressures that are even just a few pounds off can degrade handling and ride. D Take special care when adding air to the compact spare tire. The smaller tire size can gain pressure very quickly. Add compressed air in small quantities and check the pressure often until it reaches the specified pressure. CHECKING YOUR TIRES Check the tire tread for the tread wear indicators. If the indicators show, replace the tires. The tires on your Toyota have built- in tread wear indicators to help you know when the tires need replacement. When the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If you can see the indicators in two or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced. The lower the tread, the higher the risk of skidding. The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.). D Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is normal for the tire pressure to be higher after driving. D Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The passenger and luggage weight should be located so that the vehicle is balanced. 198