Hypermilers may need to Initialize...

The tire pressure monitor is really more about avoiding a flat tire and the damage to the side walls ... or that is my impression. I'd inflated my tires to maximum side wall pressure, 44 psi, but a week later, the indicator came on. One tire had dropped to about 28 psi. Late, I added it back to 44 psi and the indicator went out. The next morning, I checked and the pressure was down to 38 psi. So I took it over to Firestone and they found a nail and repaired it.

Understand, I'm an efficiency driver and anything over EPA mileage MPG is not good enough, it is perfect. But I also like the better traction, rain handling, and higher speed turns of tires at maximum sidewall.

I've found most tires lose about 1.5 psi per month. So in about three months, I expect to find the tires under 40 psi.

Bob Wilson

 

Nothing new here. Even the GII has an "initialization" button. I like to use it whenever I set the tire pressure, even if I don't change it, just return it to where I normally run.

 

On all my vehicles tire pressure is checked every single morning along with inspection of the engine bay, fluid levels and to make sure there is no leakage and a quick underbody inspection is made before I set off ANYWHERE. So when I get my 2010 I doubt the TPMS would be of much concern to me.

On the Driving Instruction vehicle an extensive check of everything is made in my parking lot before I leave. Don't want there to be something wrong that could put my pupils' life in danger, such as messed up brake lines or power steering faults.

Since I learned to fly when I was 16, I have always done my "pre-flight" inspection. (and it drives people up the wall!)

 

Yes, I reset mine when I set the tires to 40f/38r.

A good side effect of resetting it is that the warning indicator comes on when the pressure drops to approx 35 psi (the factory recommended pressure). When I bought a new set (2) tires at America's tire store, the TPMS light was on when I got the car back. I found that the tire shop had adjusted all 4 tires to the settings on the door sticker. I of course set them back.

 

Yes, I initialized the TPMS system after inflating my 17" tires to 42/41.

Thanks for pointing this out!

 

Just a terminology adjustment ...

I dislike the terms 'hyper-inflated' and 'over-inflated' for anything at or less than the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall. For all the tires on my various cars, this is also the minimum required pressure when operated at their full rated tire load.

I prefer the term 'fully inflated'. This causes less alarm among the folks who believe it is a sin to inflate tires to pressures higher than suggested by the car's placard, even when conforming to the tire manufacturer's rating.

 

This seems like a reasonable thread to ask the question: Why type of tire gauge do you guys use? The "old fashioned" stick kind or a digital gauge? Pros and cons? The gas station where I use the air machine has a guage built into the nozzle, but I've always been a little skeptical of its accuracy. Thanks!

 

I've used an Accu-Gage for a long time:
Dial Tire gauges

Very accurate, easy to use (has a bleed valve which makes getting the desired pressure easy), and durable.

 

I've pasted a page I came across a while ago. There is a small section about tire gauges on page 2, the author does not trust stick type gauges.

Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 1 of 2

 

So, this is a highly interesting thread. I've always kept my tires at manufacturer's levels as indicated on the door. I realize that keeping your tires inflated helps your gas mileage. But does super inflating them or max inflating them or whatever is the right term reduce the lifespan of the tires? Do you need to rotate more often or something? When we got our first Prius (Gen II), we didn't heed the 5K rotation on the first 5K and at 10K we had really worn the tires out. So, we are very religious about it now.

Thanks.
Bob.

 

Gord, I have to admit, I took private pilot lessons (a whole 6 hours worth) so I understand the importance of the pre-flight inspection; also, my grandpa and uncle were/are professional pilots and my dad has his PP license and flies about once/week. That being said, you would drive me crazy in the mornings!!!! LOL

my husband yells at me for not checking the oil when I fill my gas. But because of him, i am VERY good about regular oil changes and maintenance.

 

I think that PriusChat consensus is that inflating the tires up to the max cold pressure on the sidewall will actually increase the lifespan of the tires. PCers who have followed the door sticker recommendations have complained about early tire wear with the edges of the tires wearing faster (typical underinflation wear pattern).

I know that in my case, I still have two of the original tires on the front and I am almost at 30k miles. I rotated them every 5k for the first 15k miles, then found a nail puncture that could not be repaired so I bought a set of 2 and put the original tires on front for the next 15k (almost). I still have legal tread depth (and reasonably even) at inflation pressure between 40 - 42 psi.

 

From what I've read elsewhere, modern radial tires keep their flat shape up to their maximum recommanded pressure, so lifespan is in no way diminished.

 

I totally agree with you Dogfriend. Being a by the numbers kind of guy, I followed the tire pressure levels in the door jam. I went through two sets of tires very quickly. I now carry 36 all the way around in the Suzuki and Mercedes SLK. The Corvette calls for 30 on all four corners and I run those Goodyear's at 31/32. I think Chevrolet got theirs right.

What are you running on your Prius?

Dan

 

Talking tire qauge?? Awesome! I am always fumbling with my reading glasses to see the stick! Thanks David!

 

40 -42 psi front / 38 - 40 psi rear (the recommendation is for a 2 psi differential between front and rear on the 1st and 2nd gen Prius) Max cold inflation is 44 psi for the tires on my car.