2008 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

5
When trouble arises
425
5-1. Essential information
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Disclosure of the data
Toyota will not disclose the data re corded in an EDR to a third party
except when:
● An agreement from the vehicle’s ow ner (or the leasing company for
a leased vehicle) is obtained
● Officially requested by the police or other authorities
● Used as a defense for Toyota in a law suit
● Ordered by a court
However, if necessary Toyota will:
● Use the data for research on Toyota vehicle safety performance
● Disclose the data to a third party for research purposes without dis-
closing details of the vehicle owner, and only when it is deemed
necessary
● Disclose summarized data cleared of vehicle identification informa-
tion to a non-Toyota organization for research purposes

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
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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).

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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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.

430 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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*1:This warning light is displayed on the touch screen.
*2:Open door warning buzzer:

(U.S.A.)
Engine oil replacement
reminder light
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flasher for
about 15 seconds:
Engine oil is scheduled to
be changed. Check and the engine oil,
and change if necessary.
Comes on and remains:
Engine oil should be
changed. Check and change the
engine oil.

*1
Hybrid battery warning
light
The hybrid battery voltage
drops when the transmis-
sion is left in “N” position. Push the “P” position
switch.
The hybrid battery is dis-
charged. If this light comes on with
the “READY” light on in this
case, have the system
checked by your Toyota
dealer.
High coolant temperature
warning light Indicates high engine cool-
ant temperature P. 456
Master warning light A buzzer sounds and the
warning light comes on
and flashes to indicate that
the master warning system
has detected a malfunc-
tion. Take appropriate action in
accordance with the mes-
sage displayed on the multi-
information display.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

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When trouble arises
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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*3:Driver’s and front passenger’s
seat belt reminder buzzer:
The driver’s and front passenger’s seat belts reminder sounds to alert the
driver and front passenger that his or her seat belt is not fastened. The
buzzer sounds intermittently for 10 seconds after the vehicle has reached a
speed of at lest 12 mph (20 km/h). Then, if the seat belt is still unfastened,
the buzzer will sound in a different tone for 20 more seconds.
Have the malfunction repaired immediately. (vehicles with smart
key system)
After taking the specified steps to correct the suspected problem,
check that the warning light turn off.
AlarmWarning lightDetailsCorrection procedure
Interior and
exterior alarm:
One beep
(sounds con-
tinuously)
The driver has
removed the smart key
from the vehicle while
the hybrid system is
not OFF and the shift
lever is in a position
other than “P”.Pressing the “P”
position switch
before removing the
smart key from the
vehicle and turning
the hybrid system
OFF.
Interior alarm:
One beep
Exterior alarm:
3 beeps The driver has
removed the smart key
from the vehicle while
the hybrid system is
not OFF and the shift
lever is in the “P” posi-
tion.
Turn the hybrid sys-
tem OFF and
remove the key
from the vehicle.
A passenger has
removed the smart key
from the vehicle while
the hybrid system is
not OFF. Check whether the
passenger leaving
the vehicle is carry-
ing the smart key.

432 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
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Exterior alarm:
One beep
(sounds for 2
seconds)The lock button has
been pressed while
the hybrid system is
not OFF and the shift
position is in “P”.
Turn the hybrid sys-
tem OFF.
Interior alarm:
One beep (for 5
seconds) The vehicle’s ID code
detection system has
judged that the smart
key is not present
when the “POWER”
switch is pressed.
Check that the
smart key is in the
vehicle and within
the detection area.
AlarmWarning
lightDetailsCorrection procedure