2003 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 226

162.Checking tire pressure CAUTION Keep your tire pressure properly. Otherwise, the following conditions may occur and cause an accident resulting in death or serious injuries. Low tire pressure (underinflation)- The following instructions for checking tire pressure should be observed: 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. 82p003 D Excessive wear D Uneven wear D Poor handling D Possibility of blowouts from overKeep your tire pressures at the proper level. The recommended cold tire pressures, tire size and the vehicle capacity weight are given on page 241 in Section 9. They are also on the tire pressure label as shown. You should check the tire pressures every two weeks, or at least once a month. And do not forget the spare! Incorrect tire pressure may waste fuel, reduce the comfort of driving, reduce tire life and make your vehicle less safe to drive. If a tire frequently needs refilling, have it checked by your Toyota dealer. heated tire. 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 ride and handling. D Poor sealing of the tire bead D Wheel deformation and/or tire separation High tire pressure (Overinflation)- 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. D Poor handling D Excessive wear at the center of the tire tread D Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is normal for the tire pressure to be higher after driving. D A greater possibility of tire damage from road hazards D Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The passenger and luggage weight should be located so that the vehicle is balanced. 219