T-SB-0020-12

January 24, 2012

Rev2

Tire Inflation Pressure Compensation and Adjustment
Service
Category

Suspension

Section

Tire Pressure Monitoring

Market

USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

2013

4Runner, Avalon,
Avalon HV, Camry,
Camry HV, Corolla, FJ
Cruiser, Highlander,
Highlander HV, Land
Cruiser, Matrix, Prius,
Prius C, Prius PHV,
Prius V, RAV4, RAV4
EV, Sequoia, Sienna,
Tacoma, Tundra,
Venza, Yaris

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

REVISION NOTICE
January 10, 2013 Rev2:
• Applicability has been updated to include 2013 model year RAV4 EV vehicles.
October 16, 2012 Rev1:
• Applicability has been updated to include 2013 model year Avalon HV, Prius C, and Prius PHV
vehicles.
Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded.

Introduction

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a procedure to adjust tire pressure correctly when outside
temperature is significantly colder or warmer than shop temperature.
Seasonal temperature change can dramatically alter tire pressure, which can cause the tire pressure
warning lamp to illuminate.
Warranty Information
OP CODE

DESCRIPTION

TIME

OFP

T1

T2

N/A

Not Applicable to Warranty

–

–

–

–

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Page 1 of 4

T-SB-0020-12

Rev2

January 24, 2012

Page 2 of 4

Tire Inflation Pressure Compensation and Adjustment

Tire Pressure vs. Tire Temperature

Tire temperature is dependent on “cold” tire pressure, driving distance and speed, ambient
temperature and road surface temperature. As the temperature of the tire changes, air in the tire
expands and contracts, changing the tire’s air pressure. The cold tire pressure for all Toyota models
will vary and will need to be adjusted accordingly.
“Cold” tire pressure, as shown on the tire pressure label on our vehicles, is generally considered to
be the pressure in a tire that has not been driven in the past 4 hours and has been parked outdoors.
The TPWS MUST be initialized with the tire pressure marked on the vehicle placard. Tires are
then adjusted according to the information in this bulletin to ensure that the TPWS light does not
illuminate unnecessarily.
Tire Pressure Adjustment
Figure 1. Tire Pressure Chart

1

Example 1: Cold Tires — Car Has Not Been Driven for 4 Hours and Parked Outside

2

Example 2: Warm Tires — Car Has Just Been Driven a Short Distance in Traffic

3

Example 3: Hot Tires — Car Has Just Been Driven for at Least 1 Hour of Highway Driving

4

Tire Pressure Adjustment (psi)

5

Temperature DIFFERENCE Between Seasonable Lowest Temperature and Workshop Temperature

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev2

T-SB-0020-12

January 24, 2012

Page 3 of 4

Tire Inflation Pressure Compensation and Adjustment

Tire Pressure Adjustment (Continued)
Recommended Tire Pressure Adjustment:
NOTE
Use a high quality accurate tire pressure gauge, and check its accuracy regularly.

• Consider the difference of the air temperature in the workshop and the lowest ambient
temperature that may be expected in the next few weeks (especially in winter).
• Use the chart (Figure 1) to compensate for temperature of the tires when adjusting tire pressure.
• Use temperature compensation Example 1 for the spare tire.
Example 1: Temperature Compensation – “Cold” Tires

• The vehicle has been parked overnight outside shop (vehicle has “cold” tires) and tire pressures
are set to 31.9 psi.
• Workshop temperature is 68◦F, and expected lowest ambient temperature in the local area is
to be 14◦F.
• Subtract the expected lowest temperature (14◦F) from the workshop temperature (68◦F) = 54◦F.
• Using the tire pressure chart (Figure 1), find the intersection of the cold tire line at the point
corresponding to 54◦F, and read off the value on the tire pressure change axis. In this case
it would be about 4.9 psi.
• The tires should be filled to:
31.9 + 4.9 psi = 36.8 psi
Example 2: Temperature Compensation – “Warm” Tires

• The vehicle has been driven to the shop on surface streets for about 30 minutes (vehicle has
“warm” tires) and tire pressures are set to 31.9 psi.
• Workshop temperature is 68◦F and expected lowest ambient temperature in your area is to be
14◦F.
• Subtract the expected lowest temperature (14◦F) from the workshop temperature (68◦F) = 54◦F.
• Using the Tire Pressure Chart (Figure 1), find the intersection of the warm tire line at the point
corresponding to 54◦F and read off the value on the tire pressure change axis. In this case
it would be about 6.7 psi.
• The tires should be filled to:
31.9 + 6.7 psi = 38.6 psi

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev2

T-SB-0020-12

January 24, 2012

Page 4 of 4

Tire Inflation Pressure Compensation and Adjustment

Example 3: Temperature Compensation – “Hot” Tires

• The vehicle has been driven to the shop on the highway for at least 60 minutes (vehicle has
“hot” tires) and tire pressures are set to 31.9 psi.
• Workshop temperature is 68◦F, and the expected lowest ambient temperature in the area is
expected to be 14◦F.
• Subtract the expected lowest temperature (14◦F) from the workshop temperature (68◦F) = 54◦F.
• Using the tire pressure chart (Figure 1), find the intersection of the hot tire line at the point
corresponding to 54◦F, and read off the value on the tire pressure change axis. In this case
it would be about 9.0 psi.
• The tires should be filled to:
31.9 + 9.0 psi = 40.9 psi

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA