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Weekly low tire

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by scottwyden, Sep 13, 2010.

  1. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I've had my Prius since last August and for the past 6 months I am getting weekly low tire alerts. How likely is it that the tires were not mounted well enough from the factory?

    I'm approaching 20k miles so I will be taking the car in for service soon anyway.
     
    #1 scottwyden, Sep 13, 2010
  2. JerrySC

    JerrySC New Member

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    Do you have one specific tire that is low each time you receive the alert? If so, you may have a slow leak due to a nail, a bad stem, or a defective bead seal. The bead seal can be easy as having the dealer dismount, inspect the wheel and bead seal area of the tire for foreign matter and cleaning it. If the tire or wheel is damaged at the seal area, it could become more involved though this is highly unlikely.

    If you are getting tire pressure warnings while pressures on all tires are still at acceptable levels, the dealer can reset the system for you.
     
    #2 JerrySC, Sep 13, 2010
  3. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    It's actually all of the tires, every week. That is why I figured it was a bead seal from the factory
     
    #3 scottwyden, Sep 13, 2010
  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Have you ever tried to reset the TPMS? Fill tires to pressure you normally use, then press and hold the "set" button until it beeps. It may be set very close to the pressure you normally use.
     
    #4 David Beale, Sep 13, 2010
  5. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    I fill my tires to what they say, at 35psi. holding the set button will reset the computer or just the tpms?
     
    #5 scottwyden, Sep 13, 2010
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    How much pressure per week are you actually losing?
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Sep 13, 2010
  7. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    They vary from 20-30 psi each week
     
    #7 scottwyden, Sep 13, 2010
  8. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Neighbor kids messing with you?
    Spit test on the valve stem?
    Spray soapy water on the tire tread and bead, back up half a revolution, spray the other side of the tread.

    I've never had a tire lose that much without a puncture.
     
    #8 ksstathead, Sep 13, 2010
  9. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    If it were just 1 tire, I'd suspect a nail, but all 4 is very strange, and only happening the last 6 months. Could be the valve stem leaking, bad bead setting, etc., but to have it happen on all 4 is very unusual. Perhaps you ran over a bunch of tacks (been chasing James Bond lately? :D).

    The dealer will put each tire/wheel in water to find the leaks. Let us know what the issue is.

    You should reset the TPMS each time you check/fill your tires--instructions in owners manual.
     
    #9 stream, Sep 13, 2010
  10. scottwyden

    scottwyden new jersey photographer

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    Thanks guys. I suspect a bad bead seal from the factory. I had a nail in one tire a couple weeks ago but that is plugged. it is all 4. i will have the dealer look
     
    #10 scottwyden, Sep 13, 2010
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