How to check tire pressure display on the 2021 RAV4?
2 Answers
2021 RAV4 tire pressure display can be viewed on the dashboard by using the function toggle button on the multifunction steering wheel to switch to the vehicle's tire pressure monitoring function. Introduction to tire pressure monitoring: Tire pressure monitoring automatically and continuously monitors tire pressure while driving, alerting the driver to leaks or low pressure to ensure driving safety. There are three common types of tire pressure monitoring: Direct tire pressure monitoring: This system uses pressure sensors installed in each tire to directly measure tire pressure. The pressure data is transmitted wirelessly from inside the tire to a central receiver module, which then displays the pressure for each tire. The system automatically alerts when pressure is too low or there's a leak. Indirect tire pressure monitoring: When a tire's pressure decreases, the vehicle's weight causes that wheel's rolling radius to shrink, making it rotate faster than other wheels. By comparing rotational speed differences between tires, the system monitors pressure. Indirect systems essentially monitor pressure by calculating changes in tire rolling radius. Introduction to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Combining advantages of both systems, TPMS equips two diagonally opposite tires with direct sensors while using a 4-wheel indirect system. Compared to full direct systems, this hybrid approach reduces costs and overcomes indirect systems' inability to detect simultaneous low pressure in multiple tires. However, it still can't provide real-time actual pressure data for all four tires like direct systems.
My 2021 RAV4 has been running for over a year, and the tire pressure display operation is quite intuitive. After starting the vehicle, there are several buttons on the right side of the steering wheel—specifically the up and down arrow keys—just press lightly to switch the dashboard screen, and you can find a small tire icon or a page labeled TPMS. The values display the pressure of all four tires in Bar units, and it’s most accurate when checked while parked. This feature is crucial because low tire pressure can lead to faster wear, higher fuel consumption, and even increase the risk of a blowout. I check it once a month, keeping it around 2.3 to 2.5, which ensures both fuel efficiency and safety. Sometimes I also take a quick glance before long trips to make sure everything is normal.
