2002 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 225

Rotating tires When a tire is replaced, the wheel should always be balanced. An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle handling and tire life. Wheels can get out of balance with regular use and should therefore be balanced occasionally. When replacing a tubeless tire, the air valve should also be replaced with a new one. When rotating tires, check for uneven wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused by incorrect tire pressure, improper wheel alignment, out-of-balance wheels, or severe braking. 82p104 CAUTION Do not include a compact spare tire when rotating the tires. It is designed for temporary use only. To equalize tire wear and help extend tire life, Toyota recommends that you rotate your tires according to the maintenance schedule. (For scheduled maintenance information, please refer to the "Scheduled Maintenance Guide" or "Owner's Manual Supplement".) However, the most appropriate timing for tire rotation may vary according to your driving habits and road surface conditions. See "If you have a flat tire" on page 173 in Section 5 for tire change procedure. 216