As a first time Prius owner, I have found this forum to be invaluable to the pre-purchase and post purchase activities of this new vehicle. I’m particularly interested in the various threads on optimizing mileage including keeping tire pressures up and grill blocking in cooler temperatures. So, in an effort to contribute back I thought I would share this link (below) for ‘Accu-Pressure’ Safety Caps, which I have installed on my Prius. I’m sure that this will help me be diligent about monitoring my tire pressures (which I suspect is crucial to maximizing fuel mileage). I’ve installed the 44 psi’s and found them to indicate 41-42 psi as ‘green’ , I would have considered a 42 psi version but they only come in 40 or 44 (for my consideration). Accu-Pressure Standard Safety Cap (Set of 4) Thanks, Joe 2008 Seaside Blue #2
Welcome to the forums! This place rocks. I have found a lot of useful info here! I can attest to the mpg gains you get from boosting the tire pressures. Right now I am running 40 front \ 38 rear. (might take it up more) I've been eyeballing those caps. Found another thread on this forum that led me to the Garage Toys site. They let you pick front & rear pressure settings for the set you order which is nice for Prius owners. Tire Minder Valve Stem Tire Pressure Guages - Full Car 5-Valve Pack $17.95 These things do look cool. Will probably pick up a set soon. Cheers!
I've been running 42/40 and therefore have more interest in the caps available from Garage Toys. Has anyone used them? Do they have any negative effect on the tire valve sensors that are already on the car?
Cool link Judas, I chose the 44 psi ones from the Accu-Pressure site as I'm running 42/40. I'm sure these things are not 100% accurate, but the 44's show my 42 (and 40)as full. Prius =--> welcome to the world of tomorrow… ~joe
Have you noticed much mph difference with the 42\40 pressures? I'm wondering if going from 40/38 to 42/40 would be beneficial? Thanks!
Judas: I went to 42/40 based on what I read on Priuschat and have stayed there. I first got the car in October, and two weeks later I got a low air pressure warning. I've been at 42/40 since, so I can't make comparisons other than to say that I will try to stay there, hence my interest in the special caps you've posted about.
Hmm, most cars come w/ this feature built in now, I thought. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Anywho ~ I'd presume you were doing an end run around the product promotion policy on PC except you have a ton of prior posts, right? . . . oh wait, only 2 posts ... both about the product. whoops never mind
Nice product! I wanted to buy a set before, but I made a choice to just purchase a good quality tire pressure gauge. Together with my bicycle tire pump and tire gauge, I keep my tires @ 40/38. It seems to work for me and my mpg is where I expect it to be.
Just a warning... These were on my '99 Nissan pickup truck I purchased used, I don't know how old they were. They were showing green, but my son check the TP anyway and it was down over 12 psi in all 4 tires from where it should have been. Maybe the springs lose their springyness over time. If you use them, definitely check your TP with a real accurate gauge a couple times a year.
Hi SFR, Wow that's disturbing. I thought that this would allow me to be a bit lazy abut checking tire pressures. I’ll be sure to do a check each month to be sure. chaged oil at 1000 to synthetic (easiest change I ever did) avg tank mpg 49-53 (150 mile daily commute) Blocking top and 30% bottom in MD Scangauge II on the way (PriusChat - where else?)....
I do suppose there could be downsides to using these things... I wonder what happens if the plastic cracks... would all the air leak out of the tire?? I guess theres always something that can go wrong.
Anything that holds the schrader valve tit in [i.e. open] has a nasty tendency to leak after a while. The seal given by the stock valve is *way* better than anything that screws down onto the outside of the stem. . _H*
I just bought wireless tyre pressure sensors for $100AU per set (2 sets for 2 cars) delivered. Your little valve stem ends won't sound a warning in the car if you get a tyre deflation.
