Toyota Avalon (XX50): Tires

Checking 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.

Check the spare tire condition and pressure if not rotated.

1. New tread
2. Worn tread
3. Treadwear indicator

The location of treadwear indicators is shown by a "TWI" or "" mark, etc., molded into the sidewall of each tire.

Replace the tires if the treadwear indicators are showing on a tire.

Tire rotation

Rotate the tires in the order shown.

To equalize tire wear and extend tire life, Toyota recommends that tire rotation is carried out at the same interval as tire inspection.

Do not fail to initialize the tire pressure warning system after tire rotation.

Tire pressure warning system

Your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure warning system that uses tire pressure warning valve and transmitters to detect low tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise.

• The tire pressure detected by the tire pressure warning system can be displayed on the multi-information display.

• If the tire pressure drops below a predetermined level, the driver is warned by a screen display and a warning light.

Installing tire pressure warning valve and transmitters

When replacing the tires or wheels, the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters must be installed to the wheels which will be installed to the vehicle.

When new tire pressure warning valve 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.

Initializing the tire pressure warning system

â–  The tire pressure warning system must be initialized in the following circumstances:

• When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when changing traveling speed or load weight.
• When the tire inflation pressure is changed such as when the tire size is changed.
• When rotating the tires.
• After performing the transmitter ID code registration procedure.

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

â–  How to initialize the tire pressure warning system

1. Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the engine switch off.

The initialization procedure cannot be started while the vehicle is moving.

2. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation pressure level.

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.

3. Start the engine.

4. Select on the multi-information display using the meter control switches on the steering wheel.

5. Select and then press and hold .

6. Select "TPWS" and then press .

7. Select "Set Pressure" then press and hold until the tire pressure warning light blinks 3 times.

Then a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.

"---" will be displayed on the multi-information display for the inflation pressure of each tire while initialization is being performed.

8. Drive straight (with occasional left and right turns) at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or more for approximately 10 to 30 minutes.

Initialization is complete when the position of each tire is determined and the inflation pressure of each tire is displayed on the multi-information display.

Initialization may take longer than approximately 1 hour in certain situations, such as when the vehicle is stopped for a long time at traffic lights, etc.

Registering ID codes

Every tire pressure warning valve and transmitter has a unique ID code. When replacing a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter, it is necessary to register the ID codes.

The ID codes can be registered on of the multi-information display.

â–  How to register the ID codes

1. Select on the multi-information display using the meter control switches on the steering wheel.

2. Select and then press and hold .

3. Select "TPWS" and then press .

4. Select "Change Wheel" then press and hold until the tire pressure warning light blinks slowly 3 times.

Then a message will be displayed on the multi-information display.

When registration is being performed, the tire pressure warning light will blink for approximately 1 minute then illuminate and "---" will be displayed for the inflation pressure of each tire on the multi-information display.

5. Drive straight (with occasional left and right turns) at approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or more for approximately 10 to 30 minutes.

Registration is complete when the tire pressure warning light turns off and the inflation pressure of each tire is displayed on the multi-information display.

Registration may take longer than approximately 1 hour in certain situations, such as when the vehicle is stopped for a long time at traffic lights, etc.

After registering the ID codes, make sure to initialize the tire pressure warning system.

â– 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 your Toyota dealer.

â– Replacing tires and wheels If the ID codes of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters are not registered, the tire pressure warning system will not work properly. In this case, after driving for about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light will blink for approximately 1 minute and then illuminate to indicate a system malfunction.

â– 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.

â– Routine tire inflation pressure checks The tire pressure warning system does not replace routine tire inflation pressure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of your routine of daily vehicle checks.

â– Low profile tires (vehicles with 18 or 19-inch wheels) 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 on snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully at a speed appropriate for road and weather conditions.

â– Maximum load of tire Check that the maximum load of the replacement tire is greater than 1/2 of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater.

For the GAWR, see the Certification Label. For the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire.

â– Tire types

• Summer tires
  Summer tires are high-speed performance tires best suited to highway driving under dry conditions. Since summer tires do not have the same traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on snow-covered or icy roads. For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, the use of snow tires is recommended. When installing snow tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
• All season tires
  All season tires are designed to provide better traction in snow and to be adequate for driving in most winter conditions as well as for use year-round. All season tires, however, do not have adequate traction performance compared with snow tires in heavy or loose snow. Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance compared with summer tires in highway driving.
• Snow tires
  For driving on snow-covered roads or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If you need snow tires, select tires of the same size, construction and load capacity as the originally installed tires. Since your vehicle has radial tires as original equipment, make sure your snow tires also have radial construction. Do not install studded tires without first checking local regulations for possible restrictions. Snow tires should be installed on all wheels.

â– If the tread on snow tires wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) The effectiveness of the tires as snow tires is lost.

â– Situations in which the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly

• In the following situations, the tire pressure warning system may not operate properly.
  • If non-genuine Toyota wheels are used.
  • If a tire has been replaced with a tire that is not an OE (Original Equipment) tire.
  • If a tire has been replaced with a tire that is not of the specified size.
  • If tire chains, etc. are installed.
  • If a window tint that affects 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 much higher than the specified level.
  • If wheels not equipped with tire pressure warning valve and transmitter are used.
  • If the ID codes of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters are not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
• Performance may be affected in the following situations.
  • When driving near a TV tower, electric power plant, gas station, radio station, large display, airport or other facility that generates strong radio waves or electrical noise
  • When carrying a portable radio, cellular phone, cordless phone or other wireless communication device

  If tire position information is not correctly displayed due to the radio wave conditions, the display may be corrected by changing the location of the vehicle as the radio wave conditions may change.

• When the vehicle is stopped, the time taken for the warning to start or turn off may be longer.
• When the inflation pressure of a tire drops rapidly, for example when a tire has burst, the warning may not operate.

â– Initialization procedure

• Make sure to perform the initialization procedure after adjusting the tire inflation pressure.

  Also, make sure the tires are cold before performing the initialization procedure or adjusting the tire inflation pressure.

• If the engine switch is turned off during initialization, it is not necessary to restart the initialization procedure from the beginning as it will begin automatically when the engine switch is turned back to IGNITION ON mode.
• If initialization has accidentally been started when it is not necessary, adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified level when the tires are cold and then perform the initialization procedure again.
• While the position of each tire is being determined and the inflation pressures are not being displayed on the multi-information display, if the inflation pressure of a tire drops, the tire pressure warning light will come on.

â– 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.

â– If the tire pressure warning system is not initialized properly

• In the following situations, initialization may take longer than usual to be completed or may not be possible. (Usually, the vehicle will need to be driven for approximately 10 to 30 minutes to complete initialization.) If initialization is not complete after driving approximately 30 minutes, continue driving for a while.
  • If the vehicle is driven on an unpaved road, it may take longer to complete initialization.
  • If the vehicle is backed up while performing initialization, data collected during initialization will be cleared and it will take longer than normal to complete.
  • If the vehicle is driven in heavy traffic or another situation where other vehicles are driven close by, it may take time for the system to recognize the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters of your vehicle over those of other vehicles.

    If initialization is not complete after driving for approximately 1 hour, park the vehicle in a safe place for approximately 20 minutes and then drive the vehicle again.

• In the following situations, initialization will not be started or was not completed properly and the system will not operate properly. Perform the initialization procedure again.
  • If, when attempting to start initialization, the tire pressure warning light does not blink 3 times.
  • If, when the vehicle has been driven for about 20 minutes after performing initialization, the tire pressure warning light blinks for approximately 1 minute and then illuminates.
• If initialization cannot be completed after performing the above procedure, contact your Toyota dealer.

â– When registering ID codes

• Before performing ID code registration, make sure that no wheels with tire pressure warning valve and transmitters installed are near the vehicle.
• Make sure to initialize the tire pressure warning system after registering the ID codes. If the system is initialized before registering the ID codes, the initialized values will be invalid.
• As the tires will be warm when registration is completed, make sure to allow the tires to cool before performing initialization.

â– Canceling ID code registration

• To cancel ID code registration after it has been started, turn the engine switch off before driving the vehicle.

  If the vehicle is driven after ID code registration is started, to cancel registration, perform the ID code registration start procedure again and turn the engine switch off before driving.

• If ID code registration has been canceled, the tire pressure warning light will blink for approximately 1 minute when the engine switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode and then illuminate. The tire pressure warning system will be operational when the tire pressure warning light turns off.
• If the warning light does not turn off even after several minutes have elapsed, ID code registration may not have been cancelled correctly. To cancel registration, perform the ID code registration start procedure again and then turn the engine switch off before driving.

â– If ID codes are not registered properly

• In the following situations, ID code registration may take longer than usual to be completed or may not be possible. (Usually, the vehicle will need to be driven for approximately 10 to 30 minutes to complete ID code registration.) If ID code registration is not complete after driving for approximately 30 minutes, continue driving for a while.
  • If the vehicle is driven on an unpaved road, it may take longer than normal to complete registration.
  • If the vehicle is backed up while performing registration, data collected during registration will be cleared, and it will take longer than normal to complete.
  • If the vehicle is driven in heavy traffic or another situation where other vehicles are driven close by, it may take time for the system to recognize the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters of your vehicle over those of other vehicles.
  • If a wheel with a tire pressure warning valve and transmitter installed is inside or near the vehicle, registration of the ID codes for the installed wheels may not be possible.

  If ID registration is not complete after driving for approximately 1 hour, park the vehicle in a safe place for approximately 20 minutes and then perform the ID code registration procedure again.

• In the following situations, ID code registration will not be started or was not completed properly and the system will not operate properly. Perform the ID code registration procedure again.
  • If, when attempting to start ID code registration, the tire pressure warning light does not blink slowly 3 times.
  • If, when the vehicle has been driven for about 20 minutes after performing ID code registration, the tire pressure warning light blinks for approximately 1 minute and then illuminates.
• If ID code registration cannot be completed after performing the above procedure, contact your Toyota dealer.

WARNING â– 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. â– 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.

 

NOTICE â– Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valve and transmitters and tire valve caps When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pressure warning valve 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 may enter the valves of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters and the valves may become stuck. When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than those specified. The cap may become stuck. â– To avoid damage to the tire pressure warning valve 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 your Toyota dealer or other qualified service shop as soon as possible. Make sure to replace the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter when replacing the tire. â– 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. â– Low profile tires (vehicles with 18 or 19-inch wheels) Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the tire wheel when sustaining impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the following: Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated, they may be damaged more severely. Avoid potholes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards. Failure to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage. â– If tire inflation pressure of each tire becomes low while driving Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.