Tire PRessure Reset Switch? Where is it?? (2006 Prius)

Gonzo · 10-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Hey gang. The manual refers (on page 151) to a Tire Pressure Reset Switch. On other Toyota vehicles, this can be used to allow you to change warning system so that it will warn you for whatever you decide is the "optimal" tire pressure for your vehicle. I would expect that it works the same way for the Prius.

In my case, I recently turned off the annoying beep-beep in Reverse, and then I noticed the tire pressure warning light came on. I filled (mostly verified) my tires to the recommended pressure (35 psi front and 33 psi rear), and the light has remained on. Rather than take it into my service guys (a bit of a drive as I live somewhat in the boonies) who will likely just use the reset switch anyhow, I figured I could just reset it myself.

I'm also thinking about running the tires at a higher pressure for better mileage, so it would be helpful to be able to reset it for that case as well.

So, any information on the location of this switch and the proper use/procedure for resetting the warning system would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance,

=Ed =

onerpm · 10-05-2006, 02:10 PM

I recall that the reset procedure is described somewhere else in the manual...maybe by the tire change info. It was hard for me to find the first time around; I don't think the index had it.

rpm

eagle33199 · 10-05-2006, 02:59 PM

The reset button is below the steering wheel, next to the SKS button. it says "SET". to reset the tire pressures, you have to hold it for a certain amount of time (something like 5-10 seconds, i believe). you'll see the warning light flash etc before its finished resetting.

Allannde · 10-05-2006, 03:07 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Oct 5 2006, 09:59 AM) [snapback]328562[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The reset button is below the steering wheel, next to the SKS button. it says "SET". to reset the tire pressures, you have to hold it for a certain amount of time (something like 5-10 seconds, i believe). you'll see the warning light flash etc before its finished resetting.
[/b]

Hold the button down until the warning light flashes three times. It is the warning light which looks like a the cross section of a tire with an ! in the middle.

Gonzo · 10-06-2006, 11:30 AM

Thanks guys!

When I drove the car on the highway for about 1/2 hour the light turned off on its own, but it's good to know where the switch is now! As I said, I may end up changing my default tire pressure to something like 38/36 to tire to improve my mileage a bit. Mountain driving is not conducive to good gas mileage

= Ed =

theorist · 10-06-2006, 11:53 AM

The TPMS light is supposed to come on when the pressure in any tire falls 25% below what it was at when you last used the reset button. If a tire is at 32 psi when you use the reset button, the TPMS warning should light when the tire falls to 24 psi. On the other hand, if a your tires are at 44psi, even temporarily, when you reset the TPMS, then the warning will light when a tire falls to 33psi. If you feel that the TPMS is too lax, use the button to reset it while your tires are inflated to a higher pressure, even if only temporarily.

As your tires leak, you are likely to find that the TPMS warning lights up in the morning but turns off as you drive, the tires warm, and the tire pressures increase temporarily. I believe the manual also tells us to leave the car on, but parked, while and for a few minutes after resetting the TPMS.

eagle33199 · 10-06-2006, 12:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theorist @ Oct 6 2006, 10:53 AM) [snapback]328947[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The TPMS light is supposed to come on when the pressure in any tire falls 25% below what it was at when you last used the reset button. If a tire is at 32 psi when you use the reset button, the TPMS warning should light when the tire falls to 24 psi. On the other hand, if you inflate your tires to 44psi, even temporarily, before reseting the TPMS, the warning will light when a tire falls to 33psi. If you feel that the TPMS is too lax, reset it with your tires filled to a higher pressure.

As your tires leak, you are likely to find that the TPMS warning lights up in the morning but turns off as you drive, the tires warm, and the tire pressures increase temporarily. I believe the manual also tells us to leave the car on, but parked, while and for a few minutes after resetting the TPMS.
[/b]

I was under the impression that it essentially had a "fixed value" after a reset - That it took whatever pressure was 25% lower than the pressure at reset and warned when it hit there. so if it was reset at 32 then you increased the presure to 40 without pressing reset, it would only warn you at tghe original 25% (being 24). What you described seems more like it sets a pressure (being 32), then if you increase it it will increase that pressure as well, and only trigger if the tire pressure drops below whatever 25% of the highest value since the last reset was. Which way is it?

Jennjay · 10-06-2006, 12:52 PM

There is also a tire calibration that is supposed to be used after a tire change. The is accesssed through the MFD. To be honest, I'm not sure how the two are used in conjunction with each other. Anybody know for sure?
( By the way I'm at my office, over lunch, and do not have my manual with me. If the answer to this is readily available- I'm sorry)

theorist · 10-06-2006, 01:25 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Oct 6 2006, 12:33 PM) [snapback]328977[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What you described seems more like it sets a pressure (being 32), then if you increase it it will increase that pressure as well, and only trigger if the tire pressure drops below whatever 25% of the highest value since the last reset was.
[/b]

Then it's good that I'm not a technical writer. Thank you for clarifying.

prez1 · 10-06-2006, 01:56 PM

[quote]
The TPMS light is supposed to come on when the pressure in any tire falls 25% below what it was at when you last used the reset button. If a tire is at 32 psi when you use the reset button, the TPMS warning should light when the tire falls to 24 psi. On the other hand, if a your tires are at 44psi, even temporarily, when you reset the TPMS, then the warning will light when a tire falls to 33psi. If you feel that the TPMS is too lax, use the button to reset it while your tires are inflated to a higher pressure, even if only temporarily.

[quote]

My tire pressure sensor light comes on in the morning, when it is about 40-50 degrees outside, but then it usually goes off later. A few weeks ago, it stayed on, and I checked the pressures in all 4 tires and they seemed fine, so we took it in to the dealer. The tech said that one of the tires was about 1/8th of a pound low. That seems kind of touchy to me.

10-06-2006, 11:53 AM	#6
theorist Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 358 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 5 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	The TPMS light is supposed to come on when the pressure in any tire falls 25% below what it was at when you last used the reset button. If a tire is at 32 psi when you use the reset button, the TPMS warning should light when the tire falls to 24 psi. On the other hand, if a your tires are at 44psi, even temporarily, when you reset the TPMS, then the warning will light when a tire falls to 33psi. If you feel that the TPMS is too lax, use the button to reset it while your tires are inflated to a higher pressure, even if only temporarily. As your tires leak, you are likely to find that the TPMS warning lights up in the morning but turns off as you drive, the tires warm, and the tire pressures increase temporarily. I believe the manual also tells us to leave the car on, but parked, while and for a few minutes after resetting the TPMS. __________________ 2006 Prius, package 3, 90Kmiles 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege, 110Kmiles 2012 Prius Four, nearly new

10-06-2006, 01:56 PM	#10
prez1 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: decatur, illinois Posts: 73 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	[quote] The TPMS light is supposed to come on when the pressure in any tire falls 25% below what it was at when you last used the reset button. If a tire is at 32 psi when you use the reset button, the TPMS warning should light when the tire falls to 24 psi. On the other hand, if a your tires are at 44psi, even temporarily, when you reset the TPMS, then the warning will light when a tire falls to 33psi. If you feel that the TPMS is too lax, use the button to reset it while your tires are inflated to a higher pressure, even if only temporarily. [quote] My tire pressure sensor light comes on in the morning, when it is about 40-50 degrees outside, but then it usually goes off later. A few weeks ago, it stayed on, and I checked the pressures in all 4 tires and they seemed fine, so we took it in to the dealer. The tech said that one of the tires was about 1/8th of a pound low. That seems kind of touchy to me. __________________ 2006 Prius 3/23/06 Seaside Pearl Pkg.7 Dark Gray Interior

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10-05-2006, 02:05 PM	#1
Gonzo Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hey gang. The manual refers (on page 151) to a Tire Pressure Reset Switch. On other Toyota vehicles, this can be used to allow you to change warning system so that it will warn you for whatever you decide is the "optimal" tire pressure for your vehicle. I would expect that it works the same way for the Prius. In my case, I recently turned off the annoying beep-beep in Reverse, and then I noticed the tire pressure warning light came on. I filled (mostly verified) my tires to the recommended pressure (35 psi front and 33 psi rear), and the light has remained on. Rather than take it into my service guys (a bit of a drive as I live somewhat in the boonies) who will likely just use the reset switch anyhow, I figured I could just reset it myself. I'm also thinking about running the tires at a higher pressure for better mileage, so it would be helpful to be able to reset it for that case as well. So, any information on the location of this switch and the proper use/procedure for resetting the warning system would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance, =Ed =

10-05-2006, 02:10 PM	#2
onerpm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MN Posts: 477 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I recall that the reset procedure is described somewhere else in the manual...maybe by the tire change info. It was hard for me to find the first time around; I don't think the index had it. rpm

10-05-2006, 02:59 PM	#3
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,120 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 53 Thanked 254 Times in 165 Posts Friends: 4	The reset button is below the steering wheel, next to the SKS button. it says "SET". to reset the tire pressures, you have to hold it for a certain amount of time (something like 5-10 seconds, i believe). you'll see the warning light flash etc before its finished resetting.

10-06-2006, 11:30 AM	#5
Gonzo Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks guys! When I drove the car on the highway for about 1/2 hour the light turned off on its own, but it's good to know where the switch is now! As I said, I may end up changing my default tire pressure to something like 38/36 to tire to improve my mileage a bit. Mountain driving is not conducive to good gas mileage = Ed =

10-06-2006, 12:52 PM	#8
Jennjay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 142 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	There is also a tire calibration that is supposed to be used after a tire change. The is accesssed through the MFD. To be honest, I'm not sure how the two are used in conjunction with each other. Anybody know for sure? ( By the way I'm at my office, over lunch, and do not have my manual with me. If the answer to this is readily available- I'm sorry)