2008 TOYOTA PRIUS warning light

382 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■When to replace your vehicle’s tires
Tires should be replaced if:
●You have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to
expose the fabric or bulges indicating internal damage
●A tire goes flat repeatedly or cannot be properly repaired due to the
size or location of a cut or other damage
If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer.
■Replacing tires and wheels
If the ID code of the tire pressure warning valve and transmitter is not
registered, the tire pre ssure warning system will not work properly. After
about 20 minutes, the tire pressure warning light blinks (comes on after
blinking for 1 minute) to indicate a system malfunction.
■Tire life
Any tire over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even
if they have seldom or never been used or damage is not obvious.
■If the tread wears down below 0.16 in. (4 mm) on snow tires
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost.
■Maximum load of tire
Check that the maximum load of the re placed tire is greater than 1/2 of
the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the
rear axle, whichever is greater.
As for the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold
tire inflation pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire, and as for the
Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) , see the Certification Label.
(
P. 388, 474).

384 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■If you push the tire pressure reset switch accidentally
If initialization is performed, adjust the tire in flation pressure to the speci-
fied level and initializ e the system again.
■When the initialization of the tire pressure warning system has
failed
Initialization can be comp leted in a few minutes. However, in the follow-
ing cases, the settings have not b een recorded and the system will not
operate properly. If repeated attempts to record tire inflation pressure
settings are unsuccessful, have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota
dealer.
●When operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the warning
light does not flash (The tires cann ot be initializes whiled the vehicle
is moving.).
●After driving for a certain period of time since the initialization has
been completed, the warning light flashes.
■Routine tire inflation pressure checks
The tire pressure warning system doe s not replace routine tire inflation
pressure checks. Make sure to check tire inflation pressure as part of
your routine of daily vehicle checks.

386 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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CAUTION
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents. Failure to do so
may cause damage to parts of the drive train, as well as dangerous han-
dling characteristics, which may le ad to fatal or injury accidents.
●Do not mix tires of different makes, models, tread patterns or tread-
wear.
●Do not use tire sizes other than those recommended by Toyota.
●Do not mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-ply tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and winter tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
●Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.
■When initializing the tire pressure warning system
Do not push the reset switch without fi rst adjusting the tire inflation pres-
sure to the specified level. Otherwise, the tire pressure warning light may
not come on even if the tire inflation pressure is low, or it may come on
when the tire inflation pressure is actually normal.
NOTICE
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels and tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valve and transmitter, contact your Toyota dealer as the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter may be damaged if not handled cor-
rectly.
●When replacing tires, make sure also to replace the tire pressure
warning valve and transmitter grommets.
■Do not use puncture sealant sprays to repair flats
Puncture sealant sprays may damage tire pressure tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters.

When trouble arises5
415
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
5-1. Essential information .... 416If your vehicle needs to be towed ............................. 416
If you think something is wrong ............................. 423
Event data recorder ......... 424
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency .................... 426
If a warning light turns on or a warning buzzer
sounds... ........................ 426
If you have a flat tire......... 438
If the hybrid system will not start ................................ 448
If you lose your keys ........ 449
If the electronic key does not operate properly....... 450
If the vehicle 12 volt battery is discharged .................. 451
If your vehicle overheats ....................... 456
If the vehicle becomes stuck .............................. 459

426
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a war ning light turns on or a warning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
*:Parking brake engaged warning buzzer:
A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is driven at a speed of approximately 3 mph
(5 km/h) or more.
Warning lightWarning light/Details

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
Brake system warning light and warning buzzer* (red
indictor)
• Low brake fluid
• Malfunction in the brake system This light also comes on when the parking brake is not
released. If the light turns off after the parking brake is
fully released, the system is operating normally.
Calmly perform the following actions if any of the warning lights turn
on or flash. If a light turns on or flashes, but then turns off, this does
not necessarily indicate a malfunction in the system.

5
When trouble arises
427
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your Toyota dealer.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.Failing to investigate the cause of the following warnings may lead to
the system operating abnormally and possibly cause an accident.
Have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Charging system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the vehicle’s charging system.
Low engine oil pressure warning light Indicates that the engine oil pressure is too low.

*1Hybrid system warning light Indicates a malfunction in the hybrid system.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Malfunction indicator lamp Malfunction in:
• The electronic hybrid system control system;
• The electronic throttle control system; or
• The transmission control system.
SRS warning light Malfunction in:
• The SRS airbag system;
• Front passenger occupant classification system; or
• The seat belt pretensioner system.

428 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Warning lightWarning light/Details
Vehicle stability control system warning light (if
equipped)
Indicates a malfunction in the Enhanced VSC system.

*1
Automatic headlight leveling system warning light (if
equipped) Indicates a malfunction in the automatic headlight level-
ing system.

(U.S.A.)

(Canada)
ABS warning lightMalfunction in:
• The ABS; or
• The brake assist system.
Brake system warning light (yellow indicator) Malfunction in the electronically controlled brake sys-
tem.

*1
or
*1
Electric power steering system warning lightMalfunction in the EPS (Electric Power Steering).

5
When trouble arises
429
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Have the malfunction repaired immediately.
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turns off.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
Open door warning light
(warning buzzer)
*2
A door or a back door is
not fully closed.
Check that all doors and the
back door are closed.
Low fuel level warning
light Remaining fuel
(Approximately 3.0 gal.
[11.4 L, 2.5 Imp.gal.] or
less) Refuel the vehicle.
Driver’s seat belt
reminder light (warning
buzzer)
*3
Warns the driver to fasten
his/her seat belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Front passenger’s seat
belt reminder light
(warning buzzer)
*3
Warns the front passen-
ger to fasten his/her seat
belt. Fasten the seat belt.
Tire pressure warning
light
When the light comes on:
Low tire inflation pressure.
Adjust the tire inflation
pressure.
When the light stays on
after blinking for 1 minute:
Malfunction in the tire
pressure warning system. Have the system checked
by your Toyota dealer.