Tire pressure warning?

[geckoboi78]

Does the Prius have any detection system for low tire pressure?

[bobc]

No, not in the US as far as I know...

See this thread for adding your own:

http://www.priuschat.com/forums/tire-monit...ors-vt7100.html

And this is about National Highway Traffic Safety Admin wanting to require pressure monitors:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/nhts...e_pressure.html

As for the cheaper tire pressure monitors:

http://www.brookstone.com/shop/product.asp...ory&prodtemp=t2

But, it looks like they have some limitations:

http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0.../b04-250060.htm


Cheers,

-bob

[jayman]

I think the tire pressure monitor is very good at detecting leaks at highway speeds, hopefully before a catastrophic failure occurs.

Otherwise I spend every Sunday morning going over the car: check the oil, washer fluid level, coolant level, tire pressure, turn signals and running lights operating, etc etc.

It's a *very* good habit to get into keeping an eye on things.

[rick57]

It is unusual that the Prius doesn't have one.It is so high tech and has everything else. The other Toyota's that have it will usually come on when the pressure is about 5lbs difference,I believe(give or take a few).I have also heard of the feds going to make it mantatory for all vehicles to have it installed. The Toyota's either read by the wheel speed sensors of the ABS/by different harmonics a low tire would put out/or by sensors which are part of the air valve(new 4-Runners are this way). Maybe the new Prius will have them?

[TonyPSchaefer]

The Prius comes with an indirect tire pressure sensor. When you find that you are not rolling as far as you used to and your mileage is plummeting for no apperant reason, check your tire pressure.

[rick57]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"70687)</div>

The Prius comes with an indirect tire pressure sensor.  When you find that you are not rolling as far as you used to and your mileage is plummeting for no apperant reason, check your tire pressure.[/b]

Never thought of it that way,Tony.

[paprius4030]

Also the tire pressure audio warning will come on, going, thump, thump, thump

[DanMan32]

I got a flat just before Christmas. Didn't even realize it but considering I hit a hole, I thought I'd check. Yup, flat. Actually, it still had some pressure, as the puncture was still hissing.

So, no low pressure sensor, and ABS doesn't detect the flat either. My parents' Saturn L300 has given a Check Engine light (pretty generic light) when a tire was low.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"70921)</div>

My parents' Saturn L300 has  given a Check Engine light (pretty generic light) when a tire was low.[/b]

Hi Dan:

Well, *that* must be helpful for your parents!

"Hmm, Check Engine is on, better swing by the dealer again."

"Wonder what it is dear?"

"Could be something with the motor, maybe a loose gas cap, maybe low oil, low tire, sunspots ..."

At least my parents' 2003 Buick LeSabre Celebration Edition spells it out for them.

[DaveinOlyWA]

a tire pressure sensor would be nice. i had a nail in one of my tires and because the leak was so inconsistant, i actually had the tire pressure down to the low 20's without any noticable change in handling. being on the right rear im sure had a lot to do with that, but i now get into the habit of kicking the tires about once a week or so.

one thing that was surprising to me was that visibly, the pressure had to be very low before you could actually see anything. this was surprising to me since these tires were supposed to be LRR and ect...