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May want to check tire pressure after oil change/tire rotation

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by kgall, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    If you do not use the "Toyota doorpost" air pressure (33 psi) in your tires (e.g., you inflate them closer to max recommended pressure on your tire's sidewall, like I do):

    When you go to the dealer for an oil change/tire rotation and maybe other service, tell the service folks the pressures that you want your tires to have.

    If you have been in recently, and didn't do that (like I didn't), you may want to check your tire pressure. My dealer reduced my pressure (44/42) down to 33, without telling me.

    About a week later, my mileage was down (not by much--I would say 1 MPG or so), so I checked the tires and reinflated them. I think I've recovered the mileage, though it's a bit hard to say because temperatures have been up a bit here.

    This issue has been mentioned deep in a couple of threads, but I thought it was worth putting out front, as a lot of us are now reaching first-servicing time.
     
  2. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Atleast you know they are doing their job properly. They are supposed to put the pressure of the tires to the toyota recommended pressure and not the pressure shown on the tire wall. It is just standard procedure when they serivce your car.
     
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Also check the fluid levels. It may save a blown engine.
     
  4. Econ

    Econ Member

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    I would prefer to use the pressure that is indicated on the drivers side door label. Thirty-three psi does suggest that you have 17 inch rims? Over inflation will cause center wear of the tread. I would be careful of this issue. Tire pressure has a direct effect on how your car will brake, and handle in tight turns, ride ( especially ride) etc.
    BUT you are right. especially if you don't have the 17" rims. Check your tire pressure yourself and often. I check mine every 1K or is they look low.
     
  5. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Yes I do have 17 inch rims. Best looking Rims for a Prius. Over Inflation will have less wear than less pressure besides it will give you much better miliage, this has been covered many times in the forums.
    With the 17 inch I have sacrificed the ride comfort already so don't mind sacrificing just a bit more.
    Hmm I check my pressure every week and every other week, or should I say that I pump my tires to the pressure every week to every other week.
     
  6. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    Hmm when you come back from a service you should not have fluid level problems since you are after all taking in for service which includes and mostly about changing the oils etc. It is something they check as standards, so you wouldn't need to worry for another week or so and if you do get a blown engine due to no engine oil because of their neglegence then they have to pay for it.
     
  7. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    I've resigned myself to visiting the garage to reinflate the tires after servicing. We've discussed the issue several times, and they refuse to deviate from policy. They also wash the car as part of their routine, which you'd think would be a nice touch. But, they use huge scratchy brushes and buckets of very dirty water, so I have specifically requested they not wash the car, and please note it in my file. They have a hard time listening to that request, too. :mad:
     
  8. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Agreed--I put a "do not wash car" sign on the dash in addition to telling the service rep.
     
  9. MikeDS

    MikeDS Member

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    I had a similar issue with tire inflation. After my first oil change my pressure was all over the play. 34 in one tire, 29 in another, etc. I had to check it a redo it all.
     
  10. bigcwill

    bigcwill Junior Member

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    "They have a hard time listening to that request, too. :angry:"

    Do you think they are really filling it with 0W20?:rolleyes:
     
  11. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    Good point. I'll see if my service department will listen to special requests any better than some of the others that posters have mentioned.
     
  12. New_Yorker

    New_Yorker New Member

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    FACT: Overinflating Tires Beyond the recommended OEM Tire Pressures Makes YOU LOVED, By the Tire Sellers who Just LOVE that You Wear Out Your Tires WAY FASTER THAT WAY. So If you Love Buying Tires You Don't Need, MAX OUT THAT TIRE PRESSURE ! WASTE THAT MONEY !

    The Environment NEEDS More Worn Out Tires ! . . . . . NOT !
     
  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    But ... but ... but ...

    33 is not the correct front tire pressure on a Model II, label says 35.

    Cold. If they leave your fronts at 35 psi warm or hot, they have left then underinflated.

    I had an oil change during a road trip, and the shop would not allow the tires to be above 40, regardless of altitude or highway temperature. Turns out that 40 psi under the particular conditions at the moment left mine underinflated on the next sealevel morning.

    The cleared trip meters and the oily ball of chewing gun stuck in the floor mat were also not appreciated.
     
  14. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    Well, I agree to disagree with the above comment; I have been running 40lb psi for two years (29000mi) in my 2996. MPG is at least 3mpg better than with 33psi. I have no abnormal tire wear, and no problems with handling/braking. The only downside that I can see is a rather stiff ride, especially on rough/bumpy surfaces.
     
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Trust but verify.

    After some experience with this, I had to drop the 'trust' part, and go shopping for different shops.
     
  16. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Fiction.
     
  17. New_Yorker

    New_Yorker New Member

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    Not according to every tire manufacturer on Earth. But I'm Sure that YOU know way More than they do:rolleyes: . . . . . NOT !
     
  18. mmichaell

    mmichaell Member

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    I'm sure there are ppl who disagree, but I really don't think that there is some conspiracy going behind everyone's back with regard to tires and recommended inflation. If that was the case, then we would start seeing retired tire engineers/designers coming out of the woodwork exclaiming how evil their company was, etc.
     
  19. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    Say what?
     
  20. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I know they want to sell me tires sooner rather than later. You keep them at Toyota's spec. I'll keep mine at max sidewall. Post when you have to replace them. If you see edge wear on the inside & outside edges then the tire is underinflated.

    I still had good tread on the 2006's original Integrities although there was still some edge wear at 45psi.